A view of what faith is

The title of the thread is "A view of what faith is"

I've not looked for an official definition of faith, but I'd say that it is believing something without asking for proof, or seeing proof in something that cannot be proved or disproved by human logic.

That can be taken as a virtue or a fault, a display of loyalty or of blind obedience, and no amount of arguing for or against will move anyone from the believing camp into the disbelieving one, or vice versa.

I have only ever met one Christian who did not interpret the bible as myth and parable, and related to the cultures and time in which it was written; and he was of the view that anyone who happened to be born in a non-Christian country was damned to hell for eternity. I found him very scary indeed. That sort of certainty and inflexibility is the basis of fundamentalism and we know where that leads.

Anyone who invokes god to justify their behaviour is to be feared.

God is always on both sides of a war apparently; or so the combatants believe.

I would find him scary too, Mishap.

I wouldnt dream of condemning you annodomini. It is only Jesus that can do that.

Yes, Galen.

Elegran, people around the world become christians every day.

And unfortunately, some go from being christians to non christians, and then cannot get back again.

I grew up attending Sunday school and going to church, like my brother and sisters. By the time I was a teenager I had worked out for myself that I didn't want a religion and didn't believe there was a god - I saw too much hypocrisy and had been told things that patently weren't true. So I lost faith and found confidence in not having to pretend. I don't want to go back - there is nothing unfortunate about it.

Some people lose faith, but not absolutely all of it.
I agree, dont pretend. There is no point to that. And I agree that hypocrisy is a real faith killer.

So, Soon, how do you explain evolution and the existstance of fossils?

I do believe that God made dinosaurs, and that they died out somewhere along the line.
The bible does mention large animals in several places.

evolution - species do adapt, but essentially stay the same.

'Some people lose their faith but not absolutely all of it.'

Is this in your bible, soon? I can promise you that some people lose all of their faith and don't want it back. I think I'll leave it there as I have no intention of denying you your beliefs, but please do likewise. I don't want to be saved, redeemed or be born again, thanks.

What about all the hominids, neathanderal man, Peking Man, and all the other Homo sapiens precursors?

Mark Twain defined faith as "Believing what you know ain't so". Sounds reasonable... What excuse can there be for not only believing something unbelievable, but for basing a life on it? 'Faith' is intellectual laziness, an excuse not to want to know the truth.

I've been following this thread, and nowhere does it come across (to me) that soontobe has been trying to save or redeem anyone.

Thanks Ana.

Is that what posters are thinking? I didnt realise that.

I think that's going rather far, feetle. Whatever faith is (have you read the article I linked in the OP?) it isn't intellectual laziness! I suspect active members of faith communities spend more time in intellectual discussion than most people outside universities - no, scrub that, than most people. It isn't like sinking into a warm bath, it's more like being out on the stormy sea in a small boat.

Ana if you take the time to read the thread again, you will see that no-one has said soontobe is trying to save anyone. It is what she represents and the sermonising that sends a message that non-believers are still capable of being saved or redeemed. I would say 'keep up' but I know you do like to keep track of what I and another Gransnetter have to say. Perhaps you could find someone else to have a crack at?

I was invited to talk by a poster on this thread, when.
And I am now keeping answers short as requested.

Lilygran, boat in a stormy sea is a good expression.

I am a Christian but soontobe you have lost me. You are not the only Christian in the world but your ideas are yours alone. I believe that God loves us all whatever our faith or non faith. I also belive that everyone has a right to their opinion and their faith or lack of it.

I believe that there are many people who do good and are kind and do not believe in God but I beleive God loves us all whatever we do and will forgive those who repent who at sorry for their sins. This is my belief and is as valid as yours or anyone else's. I do not think the rest of the world will be condemned for their lack of faith nor do I think it is my place to tell anyone else how to behave or what will happen to them if they don't.

I made a mild observation, when, in support of soontobe who seemed to me to have been unfairly targeted. Hardly a 'crack'.

I can't say I keep track of what you have to say particularly, when.

Everyone has their own opinion Crafting.

Thank you crafting - that is the faith which my Christian friends subscribe to. We get on fine because we all regard kindness as the leading principle in life. They can cope with my unbelief! - and have not yet told me I am condemned to eternal hellfire!

It is sad when religion is divisive.

We are all boats in a stormy sea whether we have faith or not. That's just life and how it works.

Can somebody remind me where the Bible (I am presuming OT) refers to dinosaurs or the like?
I had not thought to encounter Creationism !

Soontobe. surely the parable of the Lost Sheep covers anybody who has lost their faith or what you refer to as "become a non-Christian" being welcomed back? Don't see the problem there in"getting back"?
Finally, does Jesus condemn ?

Happy Christmas everyone, whether it is as a celebration of the anniversary (perhaps at an estimated date) of a birth in a stable or a get-together of family and friends to cheer the dreariness of a dark midwinter.

To those who will be alone, you are part of the Gransnet family, so keep logging in here.

To those rushed off your feet - SIT DOWN and get someone else to do some of it.