Sunday Thoughts: Faithless
by Fiona
faith [feɪθ] n 1. strong or unshakeable belief in something, esp without proof or evidence 2. a specific system of religious beliefs the Jewish faith 3. (Christian Religious Writings / Theology) Christianity trust in God and in his actions and promises 4. (Christian Religious Writings / Theology) a conviction of the truth of certain doctrines of religion, esp when this is not based on reason 5. complete confidence or trust in a person, remedy, etc. 6. any set of firmly held principles or beliefs – Free online dictionary
Another way of thinking about faith …
But faith is nice, it feels good, or so people tell me. What’s the problem?
The thing most likely to get in the way of open-ended collaboration, is faith. The resistance to considering new information, or willingness to relinquish our beliefs in the face of new evidence. Faith makes us inflexible.
Not only does faith make your brain stiff and inflexible, it also impacts on other people! When people are not permitted to question, or to pursue their search for evidence, something is terribly wrong!
Sometimes people are told their whole lives that it’s important to “just believe”and that there is something wrong with them if they have doubts, People who are taught to rely on faith may struggle when they are not able to maintain their beliefs.
The ability to question, to think, to reason is an essential part of human-kind’s intelligence …
So go on, doubt. Question. Seek evidence. Develop your capacity for critical thought, for reflection. Make friends with reason and logic. Doubt away. After all …
Related articles
- US: Christian theology professor ‘asked to leave’ university after coming out as transgender (pinknews.co.uk)
- Sunday Thoughts: Faithless (wrongside.me)
The Age of Blasphemy 