A forum member writes: Why are people, mostly the GOP and the right wing, using the word "faith" in instances that the term "religion" would seem more appropriate. Likes religious people, as opposed to the oft used "people of faith", and "practicing their faith" rather than 'practicing their religion" or "exercising religious freedom." I don't recall the word "faith" being used like this, this often, until the past few years. Have I missed something?
This is a very good question — there has been a shift in language recently and there must be a reason for it. One possibility is that "religion" is a term with negative baggage while "faith" sounds pure and innocent. Another is that it contrasts Christians who have "faith" in God with followers of other, man-made "religions." What do you think is driving this rhetoric? Read More...
This is a very good question — there has been a shift in language recently and there must be a reason for it. One possibility is that "religion" is a term with negative baggage while "faith" sounds pure and innocent. Another is that it contrasts Christians who have "faith" in God with followers of other, man-made "religions." What do you think is driving this rhetoric? Read More...
Faith is belief. It is personal and it is truly the strength of the person coming out to pay homage to whatever it is that they believe in.
Religion is a congregated position where you and others believe in the same thing.
Now I truly believe in Faith. I despise religion. Faith for me is needed by those who I guess need that extra boost in their existence to try to explain it or they just feel more comfortable believing in something. I personally am very athiest and only believe in my personal ability. If I do something, then I believe that I should accept the consequences of that action as well. If I steal I would be the first to turn myself in which I was many times, but not for stealing.
Religion for me are people coming together and expressing their similar beliefs which in the meantime might be ok, if gives them that ego boost and then the congregated religion starts acting as if their opinion means anything to anyone else.
I don’t mind people going to church and expressing their faiths.. that is their business. But I despise it when they use that opinion to start doing things that others may find offensive. IE Christians or Hindu’s or even Muslim’s who try to convert. If someone wants to convert they will find you. You don’t have to advertise yourselves.
I also despise those who create desicions based upon their religions rather then what would actually be good for humanity as a whole.
I’m sorry Nizzane, but I have to rain on your parade.
The fact that FAITH is nothing more then an excuse to be a slave, it gives you a reason to NOT fight for your freedom, because you will have the “faith” that something will want to save you!
The best example I have ever found for faith is Milk Cows, they have great faith that the farmer will milk them every morn and eve so their tits don’t rupture, now have any of you ever seen waht happens on one the small dairy farms when the old farmer dies in the afternoon or over night, the cows show up for the milking and don’t understand why the farmer isn’t there and get very confused and anxious, this is waht faith is and it is NOTHING more!
When Humans give up believing and start wanting to KNOW, that will be the first step to a peaceful world!
The concept of FAITH was invented by CON-MEN, and its ONLY use is to keep the con going!
Faith is an excuse not to think for oneself!
You say Austin that “there has been a shift in language recently.” I don’t believe that is truly the case. Oh yes, there is a far more pronounced use of certain words in the public arena and media in recent years and much of this is the result of “political correctness” run amok, but in a greater sense, it has more to do with a new awareness of the actual meaning of words once used too casually and interchangeably.
Consider these words: Faith, Philosophy, Religion, Religious, Spiritual and Spirituality. We too often interchange the meaning of these words when they actually have their own distinct meanings. Now consider this old truism: “It is said that every religion is a philosophy but not every philosophy is a religion.” The root of a faith is a philosophy of life and reality. At it’s most basic level, faith is personal. It is at it’s simplest a philosophy of life an individual holds dear as true and factual. It involves deep reflection and reasoning on the part of a person to answer basic questions about the reality of reality. A faith is not a religion, but a religion does involve a faith. This is not a contradiction, but an important detail and distinction. Philosophy and faith involve concepts of right and wrong, moral and immoral, ethical and unethical, righteous and unrighteous. It involves concepts of how nature works and how humans work. This produces a sense of spirituality in a person. A sense of discernment and understanding of the basic nature of reality. Philosophy and Faith and Spirituality need not involve a concept of a deity or spirit beings, but it can. Faith on this level involves deep reasoning and critical thinking and reflection.
So, you can show that “faith” used to be used just as much and in the same circumstances?
Interesting assertion. Can you support it?
So why are so many on the Religious Right using “faith” in place of “religion”? What’s more, why is this not a shift in language, which you assert above?
And your support for this is…?
Continued:
Religion differs from private belief in that it has a public aspect. It usually involves rules and codes of conduct on a social and cultural level. Religion is corporate. It is hierarchies of levels of priests and clerical officials. It involves superstitions and codes of conduct for members of the religion. It involves a membership much like a club. Religion incorporates social order and social norms. Religion also need not involve a deity or spiritual beings, but adherence to a philosophy of life developed by a founding leader and/or philosopher and teacher.
Religious is also a personal term for the most part. It involves an individual and/or a corporate body of believers who are fanatical in devotion to the standards of the Religion they are members of. It goes far beyond simple personal “faith and philosophy”. It results in a level of self-righteousness and closed mindedness. To be religious is to be so devoted to a deity or code of conduct that the result is a level of fanaticism.
Today the term “people of faith” was coined in order to separate the difference between those persons, whether personal or corporate, of a “simple and basic faith” from those who are fanatically religious. In either case, there is a basic level of devotion to the code of faith (philosophical belief(s) ). In our modern political world, these terms have not only been confused and used interchangeably, but hijacked for political expediency.
Wow Aaron, you make a lot of statements that are worded as though they are FACTUAL rather than your OPINION. If you are an expert on this particular subject, maybe you could add, “according to my research”, then cite your paper. Otherwise, you’ll have to add qualifiers such as “to me” before you make a statement or assertion that is obviously your opinion. Hey, maybe even an “in my opinion” is in order. You know, mix it up a little. But to come out and assert, for example, “The root of a faith is a philosophy of life and reality.” as though it were factual is insulting to the reader. (mostly because we know BS when we hear it)