The Inside Assyria Discussion Forum #5

=> bastardizing the meaning of "faith"

bastardizing the meaning of "faith"

Posted by pancho (Moderator) - Sunday, October 26 2014, 17:15:41 (UTC)
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There isn't much real difference between the definition of these two words, and yet they have such divergent value..."faith" is seen as a good thing while credulity is the mark of a fool or one easily taken in.

Faith:

b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust.

Credulity:
noun kri-ˈdü-lə-tē, -ˈdyü-

: ability or willingness to believe something
: readiness or willingness to believe especially on slight or uncertain evidence

...when someone believes in the efficacy of snake oil no one says of the person that he or she is a "person of faith".....although, technically, it would be correct to say so. Instead we say that person is a sucker, foolish, unwise and lacking in sound judgement.

Holy Water isn't far from snake oil...it's wetter, less slimey, but both are liquids given magical properties...but the one who believes in holy water is thought to be wise, sensible and above all, religious, while the one who buys snake oil and believes in its magical powers is laughed at.

The word "Faith" is manipulated, twisted and tortured into a mask for credulity and foolishness. Far from being the belief in things which provide no evidence for such a belief, the word faith can ONLY apply to those things which are based in fact, though the actual evidence may be slight. But, it HAS to be factually true at least some times.

You can have "faith" in winning the lottery, no matter the actual odds, because we all know SOMEONE wins these things, so, why can't that someone be me? In other words, no matter the high odds against, I have faith that my turn can come. This is perfectly reasonable, though it's still a very very long shot.

It is very difficult and highly unlikely that I can become a famous movie star, but, it DOES happen....therefore I can legitimately have "faith" in my chances of succeeding.

But only if I do those things required to achieve the object of my faith...like take acting lessons, working hard and going for every audition and never getting discouraged...these are the things which need to be DONE, by me, in order to have a chance at validating my faith.

Religious faith is quite different...religious faith says I can sit at home and PRAY and wish to be a famous movie star, and it will happen if I have ENOUGH faith...no need for me to do anything more than that...certainly no need to apply effort etc.....just have "faith".

That seems to me to be what a credulous person would do. The person of faith would know enough to know what his or her part is in all of this...that there is far more to do to achieve the fulfillment of your faith than merely wish it to come true, or ask someone else to make it come true for you.

Actual, true, faith is a wonderful thing....it sustains people in their dreams and in hard times...but only because they know it can happen and also because they know what active part they have to play.....the other stuff is pure credulity and is unworthy to be called faith.

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