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Hektore · 02-09-2011, 10:49 AM

Faith can be understood multiple ways. In the broadest sense faith is simply holding a belief.

The word faith (Faith) is also used commonly in a religions context to mean specifically belief without consideration of evidence.

By one meaning, everyone has faith; by the latter, many do not. This is a line that must be tread carefully, lest one falsely equate the two (which is what many religious folks are doing deliberately when they point out that 'atheists have faith').

Cynthetiq walked the line well, yes atheists have faith that cars will stop at stop lights. They do not have Faith that the cars will stop at stop lights (well, some might since atheists are just as capable of having Faith). I've been to a few places in Mexico where it seems like the stop lights are regarded as little more than polite suggestions, people with Faith that cars will always stop at the lights wouldn't last very long in that environment.

I think when a person tells you to 'have faith' usually they mean 'have Faith'. To me, having 'Faith' that a situation will work out the way I want it to is very unhelpful. It means the desired outcome is unavoidable, which while possibly emotionally satisfying, is not a very good way to get what you want. Success is almost never unavoidable.

//edit: Despite the 20+ minutes between them, cross-post (yes I take a long time to compose my responses).

02-09-2011, 10:49 AM	#9 (permalink)
Hektore Junkie Location: Greater Harrisburg Area	Faith can be understood multiple ways. In the broadest sense faith is simply holding a belief. The word faith (Faith) is also used commonly in a religions context to mean specifically belief without consideration of evidence. By one meaning, everyone has faith; by the latter, many do not. This is a line that must be tread carefully, lest one falsely equate the two (which is what many religious folks are doing deliberately when they point out that 'atheists have faith'). Cynthetiq walked the line well, yes atheists have faith that cars will stop at stop lights. They do not have Faith that the cars will stop at stop lights (well, some might since atheists are just as capable of having Faith). I've been to a few places in Mexico where it seems like the stop lights are regarded as little more than polite suggestions, people with Faith that cars will always stop at the lights wouldn't last very long in that environment. I think when a person tells you to 'have faith' usually they mean 'have Faith'. To me, having 'Faith' that a situation will work out the way I want it to is very unhelpful. It means the desired outcome is unavoidable, which while possibly emotionally satisfying, is not a very good way to get what you want. Success is almost never unavoidable. //edit: Despite the 20+ minutes between them, cross-post (yes I take a long time to compose my responses). __________________ The advantage law is the best law in rugby, because it lets you ignore all the others for the good of the game. Last edited by Hektore; 02-09-2011 at 10:53 AM..