Faith Vs Religion

[modeller]

Faith vs Religion . Can you really believe in one to the exclusion of the other ?

[woofgang]

define terms please?

[naomi24]

On the surface, yes, but not really. A lot of people, without embracing an organised religion, believe that ‘something’ exists, but I think many are influenced by religious teaching even though they are unaware of it – for example they may believe in the power of prayer and in the survival of the soul after death. Having said that, their faith is not the subservient, sycophantic faith of the 'faithful'. More a 'oneness' with the universe, I would have said.

[modeller]

Woofgang //define terms please? //
I would say Faith is the belief in a doctrine for which there is no proof but rather based on a spiritual conviction.

Whilst Religion is a man made philosophy to give substance to a doctrine.

This is most pronounced when we think of a God plus a doctrine but Communism and Naziiism are sometimes termed religions. and instead of a god they have the spirit of their belief. They also had their " Gods " Stalin and Hitler.

I suppose you could believe in the spirit of Communism but not the practice.

[woofgang]

Hmmm....I don't believe in a doctrine but I do believe there is a god.

[modeller]

It can be difficult to define the word ' doctrine ' because it can be a single belief or a number of beliefs. It's when those beliefs are expanded and embelished that it becomes a religion.

I believe many people believe in God because they feel there is a spiritual
dimension . but I also believe many people feel there is a spiritual dimension but not an actual God.

It is the belief in a God that needs a man made religion to give it substance.

[woofgang]

not sure where you are going with this?

[naomi24]

Modeller, // It is the belief in a God that needs a man made religion to give it substance.//

I disagree. Some people believe that ‘something’ created everything, and call it ‘god’ for want of a better word, but they don’t necessarily believe it to be a personal god or one that has any interest in the human race or in any religion.

[mikey4444]

Of course not. They are one and the same thing.

[jomifl]

Surely they are equivalent, belief in a god can be distinct from religion as woofgang implies. You can have belief in a god with no strings attached but faith and religion are nothing but strings if not shackles.

[mibn2cweus]

Religion is a prescribed belief system.

Faith is belief apart from certain knowledge.

You can have faith without subscribing to a particular religious ideology however most religions require adherence to a prescribed set of beliefs for which some inherent degree of faith is a prerequisite.

[modeller]

I have some friends who only believe in God because they feel there just has to be something outside the physical body.
On the other hand most of the theists I know seem to need an artificial biography to go with their God. As I said previously , to give it some substance.. Something they can relate to at a human level.
God said this , God commanded that, God made man in his image etc.
I would say most theists do try to personalise their God in some way otherwise why would they pray.

For myself I draw a distinction between the fantasy of a religion and the need to have social and moral codes in every society. It is a matter of opinion whether the latter is sufficient on its own or whether society needs spiritual rules, guidance , fear of the unknown as well.

Naomi //Some people ...................// 'Some people ' ! Well that covers every situation in the world, including flying pigs. You can't fault that logic. . So that's all right then .

[naomi24]

//'Some people ' ! Well that covers every situation in the world, including flying pigs. //

It does? How does that work then?

[seadogg]

Faith is generally harmless and sometimes comforting. It is not available for logical enquiry since it has no structure and in its purest form there is no element of evangelism. If people think that a lost pet goes over the Rainbow Bridge to Elysian Fields where it waits for its owner while playing with other dogs that's fine with me.
Religion I just don't understand, except as an effective agent of social control.