Does embracing FAITH wholeheartedly, limit one's ability to question??
By James72
@James72 (26790)
Australia
February 19, 2007 6:50am CST
Faith in essence is an unwavering belief in something regardless of what it may bring. But does the automatic acceptance of many things in life due to faith reasoning remove one's nature to question things? I have great respect for those that have strong faith. They either have an amazing ability to focus on all that is positive or have somehow managed to desensitize themselves to some of life's harsh realities by relying on their faith. Is it discipline; or is it indifference in a sense? Which one do you believe it is?
2 people like this
5 responses
@Thomas73 (1467)
• Switzerland
19 Feb 07
Having faith is basically refusing to question whatever you have faith in. And I don't refer only to religious faith. As an example, I can say that my wife has got faith in my professional abilities, despite the fact that she doesn't always understand what they are -- and that I am currently unemployed! She simply refuses to see that I am not infaillible in my job and that I am probably not half as good as she thinks I am.
So, I'd say that she has lost her ability to question what I am doing on a professional level, just like anyone who has faith in a god will be extremely reluctant to question his existence -- maybe by fear to find out that he doesn't exist as represented by organised religion!
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@James72 (26790)
• Australia
19 Feb 07
Thankfully my topic was not viewed as being in a strictly religious sense even though it was placed under the religious heading! Your wife's faith is also strengthened by loyalty no doubt and you are lucky to have someone in your corner no matter what! Thanks for responding.
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@meeandnotyou (2548)
• United States
20 Feb 07
That is the thing about faith and that is that it is BLIND! I have had discussions with some religous people and they are so defensive when something does not fit what they have been "TOLD", it is not even what they read or learn on their own, and when you question it they loose it, their faith is completely based on what they are told by their clergy or whatever. I have actually known them to be refered to as sheep being that they BLINDLY go where they are led. I think it is shamefull when a person puts so much faith into something that they block out the truth.
Personally I put faith in what I know, for myself, and not what another tells mee but my faith is not blind it is ever growing and it can take a knock of being proven wrong, and if it is it will change.
Thank you for the good discussion and have a great day!!
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@meeandnotyou (2548)
• United States
20 Feb 07
That is the thing. Faith is the power behind all of the miracles and such so faith in and of itself is a very good thing but this "RETARDED" faith is the faith that needs to be gotten rid of as it is not good nor healthy and if I were the higher power this faith was based on I would be pissed as even Yashua himself admonished his followers for not being true believers and followers of truth.
Thank you for the response and have a great day!!
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@meeandnotyou (2548)
• United States
3 Jul 08
Thank you for the Best Response! thank you also for the wonderful discussion!
Have a great day!!!
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@Jemina (5770)
•
3 Jul 08
Well, I think it comes as a result of practicing faith. Because with faith, one puts all his/her trust in. On the contrary, if one has doubt then there is no faith until that doubt is cleared.
It's really diffifult to say. I can't define it. Although the Bible says, "Faith is the essence of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, Hebrews 11:1" But right now, I have come to realize that this kind of faith defined here is faith in God whom I don't see but I believe.
Oh, I am not perfect. I do question God sometimes but when faith sets in all those questionings are cleared.
@James72 (26790)
• Australia
6 Jul 08
Yes. Faith can be ultimately strengthened by actually questioning it once in a while. I have just come across a number of cases where some people are VERY adamant in some areas and will not even remotely consider alternative lines of thought. Thanks for responding.
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@Jemina (5770)
•
16 Jul 08
I know I have also come across them in real life and here on mylot.
I think when we question it we find the answer ourselves. At least that's what I experience. When I'm contented with something I accept it as is but many times I realize my knowledge about that particular thing does not grow. Then I would begin to question or analyze it then I come up with a better understanding.
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@bluewings (3857)
•
22 Feb 07
As Thomas said, accepting a faith wholeheartedly means circumscribing yourself within a set of guidelines and even when your mind riots against a belief your heart refuses to question it.It's only with an open mind that we can analyse a belief.As Aristotle put it : it is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.
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@acevivx (1566)
• Philippines
3 Jul 08
If you have faith in something, it implies that you would accept without question everything about it. There is nothing that you should question anymore since faith is an unqualified acceptance or belief in something. Once you question then it implies doubt or not being sure or not knowing which in turn implies that you cannot really have faith in whatever it is. My answer is no, it does not limit your ability to question but what it limits is your need to question.
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