Why is Faith a virtue?

[moogley]

Faith: To believe without reason

How can people promote this as a good quality to have as a person?

 

[ebia]

How can people promote this as a good quality to have as a person?

If you define it like that, it wouldn't be. But that definition is not reflective of what Christians mean by 'faith'.

 

[Ohioprof]

If you define it like that, it wouldn't be. But that definition is not reflective of what Christians mean by 'faith'.

I do not regard faith as "belief without reason." I regard faith as something more like "trust." I trust that God, the Universal Self, the Source of all, has created a universe that is good, that gives living beings opportunity for meaning and enrichment. Because I know that our lives end in death, I do not hold out a belief in an afterlife, and I am not focused on "salvation." In that sense, my beliefs differ from those of probably most Christians. I do not believe that we are "saved" through faith in Jesus. I follow what we can best discern are the teachings of Jesus, not for the purpose of "salvation," but to live better lives on this earth, in the brief time we have here.

My faith is not a belief in any particular doctrine. My faith is a trust, a deep sense of contentment and confidence that our lives have meaning and that God's grace is universal.

 

[SedjmNeter]

P.E.A.C.E and Blessings...

Depends on how U look at it eye guess. Eye Cee faith a little different in that, for example, eye have faith that if eye drop a ball it's going to fall to the ground. The faith is based on sound right reasoning, however the only way eye can actually know that the ball will fall is if eye drop it. Faith is useful as long as it's a stepping stone to knowledge.

SHEM HETEP

 

[levi501]

If you define it like that, it wouldn't be. But that definition is not reflective of what Christians mean by 'faith'.

and what's that?

 

[TheManeki]

I really like your definition of faith, Ohioprof! It's one of the best I've ever heard.

Although I still like Paul Simon's, too:

Faith --
Faith is an island in the setting sun.
But proof --
Proof is the bottom line for everyone.
("Proof," from Rhythm of the Saints)

 

[moogley]

This is the definition of Faith from the American Heritage Dictionary, from dictionary.com

1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.
3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one's supporters.
4. often Faith Christianity The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will.
5. The body of dogma of a religion: the Muslim faith.
6. A set of principles or beliefs

Compare that with (also the same source):

1. The basis or motive for an action, decision, or conviction.
2. A declaration made to explain or justify action, decision, or conviction: inquired about her reason for leaving.
3. An underlying fact or cause that provides logical sense for a premise or occurrence: There is reason to believe that the accused did not commit this crime.
4. The capacity for logical, rational, and analytic thought; intelligence.
5. Good judgment; sound sense.
6. A normal mental state; sanity: He has lost his reason.
7. Logic A premise, usually the minor premise, of an argument.

They are mutually exclusive.

In my personal opinion reason is far more virtuous than faith.

 

[moogley]

I do not regard faith as "belief without reason

I'm not a biblical scholar, but wouldn't you're definition of faith (by circular reasoning) match that of the definition laid in the bible (if there is one?).

 

[ebia]

This is the definition of Faith from the American Heritage Dictionary, from dictionary.com
Compare that with (also the same source):

They are mutually exclusive.

In my personal opinion reason is far more virtuous than faith.

You can't just pick the mean from those 6 that most suits your purpose and assume that's the one Christians intend. 1, 3 and 4 combined come closer.

 

[WatersMoon110]

You could say that faith is "believing without physical evidence" but I would assert that the majority of people who have faith in a religion or other unprovable belief have reasons for doing so, and have often thought long and hard about their religious beliefs (well, maybe not a majority for the second, but I can hope, can't I?).