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Philosophy/religion

Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

Do you feel it is important to share your views on faith or atheism?

999 replies

gingerdodger · 04/07/2014 15:03

This is a genuine question, I am not asking to promote a faith vs atheism debate as we have plenty of those.

My question is whether people feel that it is part of their faith to share those beliefs with others? How far do you take this and how do you approach it? Similarly for those who are atheist, do you feel it is important to share your opinions and in what ways do you do this?

I know some faith groups see this as absaloutely fundamental to their faith whilst others are more relaxed. I also see that those who do not believe in God(s) also often wish to share their opinions widely. It interests me to think about what this achieves in terms of sharing opinions, understanding of each other etc.

From my point of view I strive to be open about my faith, I like to listen to other's perspectives as this makes me think (providing they are listening, I tend to bow out when it starts to feel adversarial and not inquisitorial). I don't feel compelled to actively knock on doors (metaphorically or otherwise) to share my faith but rather subscribe to the view that I hope my approach to life and openness about faith allows me to discuss my faith openly and honestly. I do believe actions speak louder than words and the best form of 'preaching' is to live Christian values of love (not saying I am good at this).

OP posts:
LovingSummer · 16/07/2014 10:25

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LovingSummer · 16/07/2014 10:37

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BigDorrit · 16/07/2014 10:53

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LovingSummer · 16/07/2014 11:05

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LovingSummer · 16/07/2014 11:09

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brdgrl · 16/07/2014 11:14

It is one thing to accept that Jesus existed, and another to take the biblical account of his life literally.

BigDorrit · 16/07/2014 11:16

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SixImpossible · 16/07/2014 11:25

No, LovingSummer, I'm differentiating between truth and fact. Truth and fact are not synonymous.

Truth can only come from belief. Truth is based on your own interpretation. Fact is empirically and independently provable.

capsium · 16/07/2014 11:34

I believe truth can exist beyond our realisation of it. There are some things that we are not able to prove through empirical data, it just does not apply.

capsium · 16/07/2014 11:45

Actually realisation is an interesting word...make real.

BigDorrit · 16/07/2014 14:30

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capsium · 16/07/2014 14:43

BigDorrit I do choose to believe, yes. However there are some things that cannot be proven by empirical data.

Empirical data all has to be interpreted by human beings, and we all have differing perceptions - can be vastly different depending on background and variations in physiology. This article is interesting:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/2124258-Do-you-feel-it-is-important-to-share-your-views-on-faith-or-atheism?pg=20

And of course, if we are taking about spiritual matters, how can you prove the existence of a non-physical entity? There is only the possible of physical manifestation to go on, but even with this, physical manifestation can be deemed spontaneous phenomenon - there is no way to prove a spirit was the causal agent behind the manifestation.

capsium · 16/07/2014 14:46

However I find my Faith works for me. I am happy with it. And I rather like to believe just because I can! - no matter how many atheists tell me off for it, that just makes me feel young again...Grin

BigDorrit · 16/07/2014 14:50

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capsium · 16/07/2014 14:54

BigDorrit It is all subjective attempting to view things from a purely humanistic perspective.

It is part of the reason why my Faith helps me - gives me a sense of scale because otherwise I find I can argue myself in and out of almost anything.

capsium · 16/07/2014 15:07

Culture, I think is a huge influence on the way we perceive things...

BigDorrit · 16/07/2014 15:11

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capsium · 16/07/2014 15:12

Well there is always a human element to interpretation isn't there.

capsium · 16/07/2014 15:14

Cannot eliminate bias, even if you try very, very hard. We just have to accept our biases and declare them.

BigDorrit · 16/07/2014 15:15

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capsium · 16/07/2014 15:15

It is why I prefer Faith to ignorance.

capsium · 16/07/2014 15:17

The thing is you cannot look in the cupboard because it is locked.

BigDorrit · 16/07/2014 15:17

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foxinthebox · 16/07/2014 15:18

Err, the opposite of faith is certainty.

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