In this article we will deal with you is what faith is.Consider the concept we not only from the point of view of religion and theology, but also as a result of research scientists.
Faith - this is one of the foundations of human identity and existence in society, so a more accurate understanding of this phenomenon is a must for everyone.
Read on and you will find out what they think about the necessity of faith adherents of different religions, as well as sociologists, psychologists and other researchers.
Etymology and the classical meaning of the term
Before we talk about the definition of this phenomenon, let's focus on the etymology of the word "faith."Meaning scholars see speaks to the adjective from Latin.This ancient language «verus» meant "true, true."Words with a similar sound and meaning is also in Old Irish and Old High German.
Now let's talk about what faith is for the average person who does not go into the subtleties of psychology, philosophy and different religions.
Thus, it is assumed that faith - is the recognition of the truth that is impossible to verify the logical, factual, or experienced any other way.In mathematics, a similar concept called an axiom.
Thus, it turns out that faith - is a kind of unproven fact which justified purely subjective conviction does not require confirmation, but sometimes it can try to find them.
It floats the notion of "trust".This condition - the basis of all social relations.Incorporating loyalty, it depends on certain rules, which, if broken, the relationship is transferred to another category - a betrayal.
But before the conditions are met, this concept means the unconditional ability of the subject to convey certain rights, information, things or people project confidence.
Bertrand Russell wrote that as soon as there is any evidence of faith is not out of the question.Then already we are talking about knowledge.
object and the subject of faith
After we briefly identified the basic notion of what faith is, we should start to deepen it.Now we will try to divide the object and the subject.
first is usually not felt.None of the five senses man is unable to realize the presence of the object of faith.Otherwise it would have been empirical evidence of physical existence.
Thus, the object of the company is only able to opportunities.Although the individual or group of people, it seems that exists in reality.Due to various processes in the body it can feel mentally, emotionally, imaginatively.
subject appears the whole of humanity as a whole and each individual in particular.Seen from this angle, faith is a person's attitude to the subject or the public.
For example, the ancient people believed that thunder - a rumble of chariots of gods who are angry at them and sent down lightning.It was the attitude of primitive society to such a natural phenomenon, which caused panic and terror.Today, because of scientific discoveries, even a schoolboy knows that it is only the processes in the planet's atmosphere.They are not animated, but simply mechanical.
Accordingly changed and faith.We can not bring the victims' formidable Thunderbolts "to save their lives, as opposed to the ancient people who sincerely believed in the feasibility of such behavior.
religious understanding
Religious belief is often replaced by synonyms such as religion, creed and religion.You can hear the term "Christianity," "Christian religion" and "the Christian faith."Often, vernacular dialogue is the same.
The word "believer" in a religious context, we understand supporter certain picture of the world that supports the views of one of the existing religions.
If you ask about what is faith, Christians, Muslims, or other representatives of the monotheistic worldview, we hear that this is the most important human virtue.In the absence of this quality, many of the events are impossible both in life and after the death of the believer.
example, the Abrahamic religions of all unbelievers and doubters are waiting for eternal damnation in hell or Gehenna.
ancient sages, which are fragmentary reflections are in different scriptures give great examples on the matter of everyday life.
If we take the example of a farmer.He may be a Christian, pagan or even an atheist, but the basis of his activities put faith.No one will put the hard work in the field of cultivation, sowing seeds, not believing in the future bountiful harvest.
Sociology
the basis of modern Western society is Christian faith.That its principles govern relations between people on almost all continents.
But sociologists call to separate religion from faith.They say that the first is more designed to suppress the human nature in the individual.In terms of what is actually a believer it is only interested in himself, his needs and benefits.True desire of man is hardly altruistic desire inherent in aid of the Church or the priest.
natural thoughts of people based solely on self-interest, which is incorporated into the framework of social norms of behavior.Therefore, faith must be regarded only from this point of view.
Thus, social scientists are not interested in the phenomenon of faith, but the result to which it leads in the society.By studying different religions, scientists concluded the desire of people through participation in groups, sects, ashrams and other associations, to create optimal conditions for individual happiness.
Psychology
Psychologists primarily argue that any belief is subjective.So about any single phenomenon, which is exactly the same as all the participants can not speak.Everyone perceives and feels the best of their abilities, attitudes, previous injuries and doubts.
From the point of view of psychology, the Christian faith is based on the absence of conflict.There's no probing questions, and opinions of ordinary parishioners do not matter.The pastor should take care of his flock and lead to salvation.
Thus, psychology refers to the faith as its opposite.It is impossible to understand, measure or calculate.It is something comparable to the notorious "human factor", which leads to unexpected consequences.
Theology
This discipline puts faith as the basis of understanding the world."I believe, therefore I exist."
Problems of the issues in theology is divided into broad and narrow understanding.
In the first case study includes all of science as not only examines the content of the concept, but its realization in our world.That is, here it focuses on faith as life practice and personal relationship with God.
in the narrow sense of the faith - a relationship and knowledge of the Most High the people who initiated the Lord.That is, the Orthodox faith speaks of the realization of God only by means of which he gave himself.These include first of all revelation.
Almighty is perceived as unknowable.So we can find out just what it brings to us, based on the human ability to understand.
Atheists
Within the framework of this article is to touch such thing as atheism.If we turn to the translation of the term, it refers to "godlessness."
fact atheism - the belief in human science and progress.But the very concept of "faith" is unacceptable.Scientific atheism asserts that basis attitude of his followers make informed and proven facts, and not faith in myths.
Thus, similar mentality is just trying to describe the visible material world, all without touching the question of God and faith.
materialists
In Soviet times, materialism was known as the Russian faith.It was a similar outlook with reference to science and atheism tried to replace the previous social fabric.
Today, however, the proponents of this philosophy speak of it as faith.Today, materialism - is unconditional belief that the matter was of primary and spirit secondary.
Thus, faith in man and his ability to rule the world, and with proper development of the universe and is the basis of this outlook.
belief in ancient societies
Let's talk about what it was before there were first systematized world of faith.
In primitive society, people first endowed all things, living beings, objects, landscape and natural phenomena souls.This world is called animism today.
Then there fetishism (belief in the supernatural power of certain objects), magic and shamanism (belief in man's ability to control nature).
But between these views, atheism and the subsequent return to spirituality is a long way, made by mankind in the various religions.
Christian
Talking about the relationship of faith in some religions should start with Christianity as with the most popular beliefs on the planet.In this world more than two billion followers.
All true Christian life aspirations aimed at saving.Theologians say that the foundation of faith is not only the aspiration to God, but also of the events in real life.If you look at human history, we can see that the picture does not change during all the millennia.As Fromm correctly noted, history is written in blood.
It is based on this fact the Orthodox faith.Here the basis is the original sin.The priests say that the state in which we live - is the result of disparate desires of the body, mind and soul.Therefore, during his stay in this world need to atone, to correct this failure, to feel the bliss after death in paradise.
Russian faith always strove for holiness.It is on this territory miracles happen in the cells and a variety of traveling people of God, having the ability to heal, preach, and other gifts.
Islam
Muslims to issues of faith fit more closely.Here, the "iman" (faith) means full and unconditional acceptance of all that gave people the Prophet Muhammad.Any doubt in at least one of the six "pillars" of Islam makes Muslims in kafir.In this case, he will have to sincerely repent and read the shahada, provided that he understands every word.
basis of Islam lies in the six basic principles: faith in God, angels, books, messengers, the Day of Judgement and predestination of fate.Devout Muslim is required to know all these "pillars" to pray five times a day and does not make even the slightest misconduct.
Thus, virtually swept aside faith in the future.Fatalism Muslims on the one hand is that of a man depends nothing, everything has already been written in the great book, and no one can change their fate.On the other hand, involves a sincere belief that Allah chose for their children only the best so bad events - it's just a lesson.
Judaism
If you compare with other religions Judaism, you get a mismatch.There is not put faith above knowledge.Here, we try to answer even the most tangled issue, as it is believed that only by asking, we can know the truth.
Some sources refer to the interpretation of quotes Havakkuka.He said that his only true righteous shall live by faith.But in Hebrew word "emunah" it means "trust."
Therefore, the argument goes on, and comparison of these two concepts.Faith - is unsupported by anything of a sense of the truth of an object or event.Trust is based on the knowledge of certain rules, which hold the two sides.
why Jews believe that God sends them just right, good and kind.And the foundation of human life lies in complete trust in the Lord that, in turn, is the cornerstone of all the commandments.
It grows and faith in the future, as a constant process of development and improvement of the human soul.
Buddhism Many people think of Buddhism one of the most popular religions of the world.But in fact it is a philosophical belief.If we look at the history of the emergence of this phenomenon, as well as its philosophy, we will see a huge difference, for example, the Abrahamic faiths.
Buddhists do not accept original sin.Moreover, they consider the basic law of karma, which is not a moral code.Therefore sin is not immoral in nature.This is a simple error, human misconduct on the path to enlightenment.
Buddha said that the main goal - to achieve enlightenment.For this is the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.If all the thoughts, speech and actions every second correlate with these two postulates, then it will be possible to interrupt the wheel of samsara (rebirth) and attain nirvana.
Thus, we are apprised of the fact that such a belief.We talked about the importance of this phenomenon for scientists, as well as believers of different religions.
