This Thing Called "Faith"

[Pendragon]

I think deep within the fiber of mankind's being, there has always been an inherent desire to understand the universe that surrounds one, and the many questions that arise such as "How did it all begin?"

With this in mind, I wish to address the question of faith. My view may be different than most, which is fine: I am my own person, not a carbon copy of anyone else. Neither because I am a Christian am I a factory-manufactured, machine-stamped version. I do not immediately dismiss scientific discoveries, nor think myself capable of judging people for who or what them may be.

But this is the whole crux of faith: The words you choose to guide your life must mean something to you personally. You cannot say you have faith in something of which you personally are following simply because mom and dad or others wanted you to be thus. It isn't faith until it's personal.

People may state that they believe many things but few ever question why they believe them. I am sorry, but "Just because" isn't a good answer. It becomes redundant very quickly.

I honestly think one should always question one's beliefs. Never be afraid of being wrong once in a while. It's a big universe. In all actuality, we don't understand a lot of things about our own planet. So questions and research and exploration are being constantly done to try to help us understand.

When you read whatever Holy Text you are comfortable with, ask yourself what does this passage really tell me? If I say that I pattern my life after the sayings of this one or that one, how do I measure up? Am I one who quotes, or one who does? Many preach about the person, few try to be the good person that they were.

Some even quote scientists, but fail to allow them the humanity to make an error once in a while. They make science omnipotent, but it can, and will, mess up at times. The real person who puts his/her faith in science will question even science, for they do not wish to be wrong any more than another. That makes for a great scientist, Stephen Hawking, for example. He constantly questions his own findings and if he feels he might be wrong he will say so.

In dealing with what no man witnessed, we must examine the evidence, trust that those who make the reports are truthful and nothing went haywire during the testing process. Boiled down, it all comes to what you choose to believe. Faith :angel:

[Nightshade]

In other words pen, Constantly challenge and question your beliefs so that like a properly pruned tree your faiths come out all the more steadfast and strong? :D

And as an aside can I note that I only had to fix ONE word in thats sentance :D

[Pendragon]

In other words pen, Constantly challenge and question your beliefs so that like a properly pruned tree your faiths come out all the more steadfast and strong? :D

And as an aside can I note that I only had to fix ONE word in thats sentance :DExactly. You have learned well, Grasshopper. But not from me, from somewhere deep within your own being, for I am worth little as a teacher, I can but point the path: How to walk it or the way to walk it I know only what I must do. I will judge no one else, if I agree with them or no. They must "prune" their own tree. Thanks for the good comparision. And don't worry, I have keybord dyslexia also! ;)

[Exile]

So, Pendragon, what is it you believe in? Nothing besides that which is scientifically proven? This isn't exactly related to the topic, but I am interested in where you place your faith.

Another question, where did the parents of the person you...erm...talk about in your post gain their own faith? True, one should question their faith, but not to the point of distrust, but only seeking for the "why" behind what they believe.

[Pendragon]

So, Pendragon, what is it you believe in? Nothing besides that which is scientifically proven? This isn't exactly related to the topic, but I am interested in where you place your faith.

Another question, where did the parents of the person you...erm...talk about in your post gain their own faith? True, one should question their faith, but not to the point of distrust, but only seeking for the "why" behind what they believe.No. I do not believe something has to be scientifically proven for me to believe it. I believe in God and God resists all attempts to define who and what He is in a scientific manner. I believe the Bible, but I would and have had very interesting discussions with others for preaching Jesus but failing to demonstrate the life of Christ within themselves by judging others and rejecting people. Jesus always had time for the outcast and the unloved, it was the established church of His day that gave Him trouble by self-interpretation of the law to suit themselves. I do not believe in ignorance as a way of life, that science has a role to play and is not the enemy. I do not look upon people of other faiths and dismiss their belief. Once, I was like that. But I have come through the fires of personal tragedy, and I have found where the people I believed my brothers and sisters cast me out, others kindly offered aid without even knowing me. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man should give his life for a friend." You ask what I believe? I believe that many will make it in to paradise because their hearts are pure regardless of their belief, while many who proclaim they are the only ones right and are so cold-hearted will be surprised at the day of judgment.

Oh EDIT: The parents of the person mentioned: If you mean Mr. Hawkins, I do not know. If you are referring to me, my dad was a drunkard, my mother Pentecostal Holiness. I was raised Pentecostal Holiness, and ordained as a minister along with three others in due ceremony by an Elder when I was 22, although I had preached since age 19. Of the four of us one, my dear friend, is deceased, one seldom preaches, one is a Pastor, and I am the black sheep cast out for getting an illness they could not understand nor deal with.
:angel: