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Religious Faith is...

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
Sorry, I know the definition of faith has be discussed many times.

Just trying for myself to have a concise understanding. How I would define religious faith is,

Something hoped for which can't be verified.

Right? Wrong? Is there something more to religious faith?
 

leov

Well-Known Member
Sorry, I know the definition of faith has be discussed many times.

Just trying for myself to have a concise understanding. How I would define religious faith is,

Something hoped for which can't be verified.

Right? Wrong? Is there something more to religious faith?
it is assured by God's action state of awareness that God/ spiritual dimension is real.
 

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
it is assured by God's action state of awareness that God/ spiritual dimension is real.

How does this assurance take place?
What event happens or what takes place which causes this assurance?
 

shunyadragon

shunyadragon
Premium Member
Sorry, I know the definition of faith has be discussed many times.

Just trying for myself to have a concise understanding. How I would define religious faith is,

Something hoped for which can't be verified.

Right? Wrong? Is there something more to religious faith?

Problem with 'hoped for.' Most often 'faith' is believed, which cannot be objectively verified.

By far the majority of people who have faith and believe in God do not 'hope' God exists.
 

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
How does this assurance take place?
What event happens or what takes place which causes this assurance?

When we search for God and our motives are not selfish, (i.e. 'what can God do for me') he knows whether we really are looking for how we can accommodate his requirements, rather than "what's in it for me?"

Paul put it this way to the men of Athens.....
" 24 The God who made the world and all the things in it, being, as he is, Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in handmade temples; 25 nor is he served by human hands as if he needed anything, because he himself gives to all people life and breath and all things. 26 And he made out of one man every nation of men to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he decreed the appointed times and the set limits of where men would dwell, 27 so that they would seek God, if they might grope for him and really find him, although, in fact, he is not far off from each one of us." (Acts 17:24-27)

It is God who provides the conviction that underpins your faith in him.
 

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
Problem with 'hoped for.' Most often 'faith' is believed, which cannot be objectively verified.

By far the majority of people who have faith and believe in God do not 'hope' God exists.

Defined by merriam-webster: firm belief in something for which there is no proof?

Something beyond my ability to muster. I tend to distrust everything initially, needing to be dragged across the line to acceptance.

Hope vs Believe - What's the difference?


I suppose I use hope and belief interchangeably where I shouldn't. When I use the word believe, I'm mean hope.
 

Nakosis

Non-Binary Physicalist
Premium Member
When we search for God and our motives are not selfish, (i.e. 'what can God do for me') he knows whether we really are looking for how we can accommodate his requirements, rather than "what's in it for me?"

Paul put it this way to the men of Athens.....
" 24 The God who made the world and all the things in it, being, as he is, Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in handmade temples; 25 nor is he served by human hands as if he needed anything, because he himself gives to all people life and breath and all things. 26 And he made out of one man every nation of men to dwell on the entire surface of the earth, and he decreed the appointed times and the set limits of where men would dwell, 27 so that they would seek God, if they might grope for him and really find him, although, in fact, he is not far off from each one of us." (Acts 17:24-27)

It is God who provides the conviction that underpins your faith in him.

Ok, is this conviction a feeling that comes over you? An experience of some kind which confirms your faith? Something else. Something that can or can't be described? Somehow that provides certainty for your belief...
 

leov

Well-Known Member
How does this assurance take place?
What event happens or what takes place which causes this assurance?
Greek word 'faith' has root that means persuasion. God persuade a person by different means that that person sooner or later notices and may or may not act upon that persuasion and the person left assured in reality of that persuasion.
 

Deeje

Avid Bible Student
Premium Member
Ok, is this conviction a feeling that comes over you? An experience of some kind which confirms your faith? Something else. Something that can or can't be described? Somehow that provides certainty for your belief...

For me personally, it was like finding something that I'd been looking for all my life. I never found it in church....I found it just through getting questions answered straight from the Bible....it was like a conversation with God...every answer I got felt like a light-bulb going off in my head, resonating with what was in my heart. It is hard to describe, but other JW's will tell you the same thing. You have an overwhelming feeling like you have finally found the truth!
 
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Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
Sorry, I know the definition of faith has be discussed many times.

Just trying for myself to have a concise understanding. How I would define religious faith is,

Something hoped for which can't be verified.

Right? Wrong? Is there something more to religious faith?

It's trust. "I trust god will help me even though I can't prove it scientifically."

"I put faith/trust in god because I know he will do everything for me."

"I can't do anything on my own but through faith/trust alone in god."
 

shunyadragon

shunyadragon
Premium Member
It's trust. "I trust god will help me even though I can't prove it scientifically."

"I put faith/trust in god because I know he will do everything for me."

"I can't do anything on my own but through faith/trust alone in god."

I believe trust is a product of what you have faith in to believe, but it does not define 'faith.'
 

Willamena

Just me
Premium Member
Sorry, I know the definition of faith has be discussed many times.

Just trying for myself to have a concise understanding. How I would define religious faith is,

Something hoped for which can't be verified.

Right? Wrong? Is there something more to religious faith?
I don't think there's more to religious faith. I don't think it varies from the faith that anyone holds.

That's my atheist view. Faith means faith.
 

osgart

Nothing my eye, Something for sure
Faith is trusting in something or someone about a future yet realized, or a matter of necessity.

There's blind Faith, and faith from knowledge. Or at least perceived knowledge.

No religious person is operating under a blind Faith notion.
 

URAVIP2ME

Veteran Member
Sorry, I know the definition of faith has be discussed many times.
Just trying for myself to have a concise understanding. How I would define religious faith is,
Something hoped for which can't be verified.
Right? Wrong? Is there something more to religious faith?

' Something hoped for ' that is verified in Scripture by corresponding cross-reference verses and passages.
We don't see the fulfillment yet of Isaiah 35th chapter, but we can see it with one's mind's eye.
Christians have 'faith' (confidence / trust) in which Jesus taught will become a reality - Matthew 5:5; Psalms 37:9-11.
Not blind faith ( credulity ) but faith based on study and research of Scripture.
No one can get rid of the Bible nor get rid of Bible people.
The good news of God's kingdom (Daniel 2:44) has now reached the ' final phase ' on a grand international scale.
This means we are nearing the ' final signal ', so to speak, when the powers that be will be saying, " Peace and Security..." but that will only prove to be the precursor to the coming great tribulation of Rev. 7:14,9 before Jesus, as Prince of Peace, will usher in global Peace on Earth among persons of goodwill. - 1 Thess. 5:2-3.
The 'more to religious faith' is in that we are all invited to pray the invitation of Rev. 22:20 for Jesus to come !
Come and bring ' healing ' to earth's nations as described at Revelation 22:2.
 

URAVIP2ME

Veteran Member
For me personally, it was like finding something that I'd been looking for all my life. I never found it in church....I found it just through getting questions answered straight from the Bible....it was like a conversation with God...every answer I got felt like a light-bulb going off in my head, resonating with what was in my heart. It is hard to describe, but other JW's will tell you the same thing. You have an overwhelming feeling like you have finally found the truth!
Before I studied the Bible I always felt like the child looking from outside of the candy store window.
After studying there was that ah-ha moment of now happily being on the inside looking out.
Like having a broader horizon and now seeing the BIG picture with all its vivid details.
Liberating effect, or as Jesus said the truth (Bible) would set us free, free from religious falsehoods.
Free then to clearly see a coming beautiful paradisical Earth for us as Scripture promises.
 

URAVIP2ME

Veteran Member
Ok, is this conviction a feeling that comes over you? An experience of some kind which confirms your faith? Something else. Something that can or can't be described? Somehow that provides certainty for your belief...
One day I met a man who simply said to me that he had good news for me and read me Ecclesiastes 1:4 B.
In School and Church I was taught Earth will be destroyed, but the Bible teaches Earth abides forever.
I knew then I wanted more information about the Bible teaching that Earth will abide forever.
School / Science doesn't have all the answers, and the Churches of Christendom don't even know the Bible.
I see nothing wrong with Earth, but I do see the wrong the wicked commit.
So, to read that those ruining the Earth will be brought to ruin is a comfort to me - Revelation 11:18 B.
Kind of like if you have a beautiful house and it became infested with rats you would Not destroy your house but rather bring in an exterminator to rid your beautiful house of those destructive rats.
Bible teaches that Jesus is the one who will rid the Earth of rat-like wicked people, and then the rest of us can enjoy a beautiful paradisical Earth forever and ever.
 

9-10ths_Penguin

1/10 Subway Stalinist
Premium Member
Sorry, I know the definition of faith has be discussed many times.

Just trying for myself to have a concise understanding. How I would define religious faith is,

Something hoped for which can't be verified.

Right? Wrong? Is there something more to religious faith?
I think that traditionally, "faith" in a religious context meant something more like "loyalty (i.e. faithfulness) to God" or "trust that God will honour his promises."

I think that it's only as religious claims prove to be lacking in credibility that faith has been re-jigged in order to make out acceptance despite a lack of credibility as a virtue.
 

Thief

Rogue Theologian
Sorry, I know the definition of faith has be discussed many times.

Just trying for myself to have a concise understanding. How I would define religious faith is,

Something hoped for which can't be verified.

Right? Wrong? Is there something more to religious faith?
as long as the hope and wishful thinking are well played.....ok

I refrain the dogmatic approach

but I do have expectations....
a Greater Hierarchy
a greater scheme of discipline
and the peace of heaven is guarded

if there is hope....
then I will be allowed in the Door
and retrained
the territory ...the language.... and the play of life

but I might have to sneak in the window
and yeah.....I will get caught
then I hope for mercy
 

Unveiled Artist

Veteran Member
I believe trust is a product of what you have faith in to believe, but it does not define 'faith.'

It's strict definition-a synonym. Trust as a product of faith makes me ask, what is faith?

If it's "hope" for things unseen, as in scripture, that's the same thing as trust: You believe in something because you have trust/hope/faith that it is true even though you can't support it physically. We can make inferences, but that's not the same as evidence.

It's semantics, really. When people use regular words (service, charity, trust) and translate these words in religious context (devotion, grace, faith), they're supposed to mean something much more "grand" as opposed to mundane words. I'm not sure why it's seen that way.

Why faith and not trust?
Why devotion and not service?
Why grace and not charity?
 
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