What is faith?

I'm hoping, probably naively, that this won't turn into a bun fight.

So, I've not Googled the meaning of religious faith but I will just share some of my thoughts here.

There are a lot of religions in the world.  They can't all be right, can they?

Surely if what a person of faith believes is true, that particular faith must be true for everyone?

After death we can't all be shooting off to different places, can we?

I haven't read about this but a friend of mine (autistic) has a special interest in faith and reads reams of books.

He is particularly interested in Shamanism and I find that quite fascinating. 

I find ancient  and 'Tribal' religions of great interest.

I'm agnostic.

However, I'm not sure which fence I sit on as all the major religions have something to offer but some of them have caused a lot of death and suffering too over the centuries.

My husband believes that the world was created by aliens.  Is this a faith too, even if not a religious one?

People sometimes talk as though they know that their faith is true. 

However, how can it be as the word 'faith' is explicitely saying it's a belief.

It can't be proven as what happens after death can't be known. 

Also even if historical figures such as Jesus did live (and there is evidence that this is true) it's our interpretation of their signficance that is pertinent.

Hence the word 'faith'.

If you have a faith, please share why you believe if you care to.

Please also just share your thoughts on this.

Thanks.

Parents
  • You're brave Debbie! I think you might be asking for it with this thread.

    You can have faith but not be religious. 

    Surely if what a person of faith believes is true, that particular faith must be true for everyone?

    I see faith as individual so can't see how it can be applied to everyone (unless you are saying that individual applies their own faith to everyone else). 

    I am not sure faith = truth. To me they are different things but I would need to think about this further. I see it more as "trusting". 

Reply
  • You're brave Debbie! I think you might be asking for it with this thread.

    You can have faith but not be religious. 

    Surely if what a person of faith believes is true, that particular faith must be true for everyone?

    I see faith as individual so can't see how it can be applied to everyone (unless you are saying that individual applies their own faith to everyone else). 

    I am not sure faith = truth. To me they are different things but I would need to think about this further. I see it more as "trusting". 

Children
  • I see faith as individual so can't see how it can be applied to everyone

    Well, if we take a look at the 'major' religions, they talk about what will happen after death.

    We surely can't all go to different places, have different post-life experiences?

    Also, their teachings are aimed at everyone, at society as a whole.

    So, if what all the major religions teach was all true, it would all be contradictory ... Thinking