Understanding Faith

To begin, it’s essential to define what I mean by "faith" to avoid any misunderstanding. Christians, in particular, should consider this section carefully before assuming I misinterpret their beliefs about faith.

In one sense, “faith” can signify trust, reliance, or confidence. For instance, if I trust that my children will behave appropriately in my absence, I might express, “I have faith in my kids to treat others well when I’m not around.”

Similarly, Christians might declare, “I have faith that God will welcome me into His presence after I die.” This illustrates their confidence in God’s promises regarding their future.

However, the type of faith I wish to critique is not about trust; it’s about believing something is true without adequate evidence. In this light, “faith” aligns more closely with “belief” than with “trust.” For example, when someone asserts, “I have faith that extraterrestrial beings exist,” they are not expressing trust in aliens but rather a conviction in their existence despite the lack of solid proof.

When evidence is absent for a specific claim, people may still accept it as truth through faith. Conversely, we don’t say “have faith” when discussing well-supported facts; we say “know.” We wouldn’t say, “I have faith that gravity exists;” we assert, “I know gravity exists” due to overwhelming evidence.

The Biblical Perspective on Faith

Christianity frequently underscores the importance of trusting God while promoting belief in His existence without substantial evidence. In fact, faith is sometimes viewed as a form of evidence itself, filling in the gaps where objective proof is lacking. As stated in Hebrews 11:1:

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (KJV)

How do individuals come to accept claims as true without solid evidence? They rely on faith. This allows people to embrace assertions that may not withstand scrutiny.

Interestingly, this kind of faith is even encouraged by Jesus. In the Gospel of John, Jesus notes that Thomas believed in His resurrection only after seeing Him. However, He praises those who believe without sight: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29b).

Moreover, the author of Hebrews emphasizes the necessity of faith for pleasing God, expressed through belief in His existence. In the original Greek, the terms “faith” (πίστις) and “believe” (πιστεύω) share a common root; the former is a noun, while the latter is a verb. Hebrews 11:6 states:

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Why Doesn’t God Reveal Himself?

A common question skeptics pose to Christians is: “If God truly desires belief, why doesn’t He provide unmistakable evidence of His existence?”

Many Christians respond by arguing that irrefutable proof would undermine the necessity of faith. They contend that God values faith, wanting believers to trust Him rather than rely on compelling evidence. In Christianity, faith is not merely deemed positive; it is considered essential.

As indicated in the title of this piece, while faith holds significant value in Christianity, it presents considerable issues.

The Dangers of Unrestricted Faith

One of the most concerning aspects of faith is that it can lead individuals to believe virtually anything. When faith does not require evidence, there is no limit to what can be deemed true.

Consider the example of Jim Jones, who led the Peoples Temple from 1954 to 1978. He persuaded approximately 900 followers to take their own lives alongside him. This is an extreme manifestation of faith, but should it be admired? Should we assume there’s validity to his teachings simply because so many were willing to die for them?

It’s evident that intense faith can drive individuals to make extreme choices, including taking their own lives. Yet, should this type of faith be celebrated? Is it valid to argue that because many were willing to die for the Peoples Temple, there must be some truth to it?

Absolutely not.

Ironically, this reasoning is prevalent in Christianity. Many Christians reference the martyrs of both early and contemporary times as compelling evidence of Christianity’s truth. They argue, “If Christianity were false, why would so many endure suffering and death for it?”

However, the flaw in this logic is that it is typically applied only to their own faith. Christians often quickly dismiss or critique the faith of others. Yet, the faith encouraged in Christianity is fundamentally similar to that found in other religions and cults. In each scenario, faith involves accepting beliefs as true, even when rationality suggests otherwise.

This raises an important question: Why doesn’t the Christian God, or any deity from other faiths, reveal themselves clearly to distinguish their religion from others? Why is faith, a mechanism that can also lead to irrational beliefs, required?

The Role of Luck in Religious Belief

Recognizing that faith can lead to the acceptance of any belief allows us to understand that those who grow up in mainstream religions are simply fortunate. If cult members had reached them during vulnerable moments, they might have embraced those extreme beliefs with the same type of faith.

This may explain why countries with high religiosity frequently witness a surge in cults and conspiracy theories. In societies where religious faith is prevalent, there exists fertile ground for extreme beliefs. In the U.S. alone, numerous cults have emerged, including not only Peoples Temple but also Scientology, the Hare Krishna movement, Heaven’s Gate, the Branch Davidians, and the Manson Family, among others.

South Korea, another deeply religious nation, has seen a similar rise in cults that attract significant followings. The Netflix documentary “In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal” provides a striking insight into the severity of the cult phenomenon in South Korea.

The Perils of Faith Persistence

I have written extensively about my own journey of deconstructing my Christian faith. Often, Christians respond by encouraging me to maintain my faith while grappling with difficult questions. They suggest that experiencing doubts is normal and even beneficial, advocating for the use of these doubts to gain deeper insights into Christianity rather than abandoning it.

However, if Christianity no longer resonates with me, why should I cling to it? What purpose does faith serve when it appears meaningless? When I inquire, “At what point is it acceptable to leave Christianity? How significant must my doubts be before it’s deemed time to move on?” I seldom receive a clear answer. It’s as if they are reluctant to acknowledge that there might be valid reasons to abandon faith.

This mindset implies that individuals inherently choose the correct religion from the outset. Nevertheless, we all understand that mistakes can happen. Christians often believe that followers of non-Christian faiths have made poor choices. If it is permissible for others to reevaluate their religious paths, is it unreasonable for Christians to consider that they too might be mistaken, especially when confronted with serious issues within their own beliefs?

It is essential to permit ourselves the flexibility to change our minds, particularly on matters that lack solid evidence. It is entirely reasonable to hold tentative beliefs on uncertain topics, but we must be prepared to adjust our views as new information arises. This is simply common sense, and it is difficult to understand why anyone would dispute this approach.

However, a significant issue with many religions is that, despite acknowledging their teachings lack full scientific or concrete support, they still demand unwavering commitment from their followers, often leaving little room for reconsideration.

This rigidity is one reason why exiting a cult is so challenging, even when members recognize they are being harmed. They are conditioned to believe that leaving is not an option, despite knowing they will continue to experience trauma if they stay.

While abuse is not characteristic of major religions like Christianity, many adherents are still encouraged to uphold their faith regardless of how irrational they find certain aspects of their beliefs. They are taught to act as though they possess knowledge they do not.

If the goal of any religion is to pursue truth, it should be open to following evidence wherever it leads rather than clinging uncritically to dogmatic beliefs. Unfortunately, this is not the reality we observe in most faiths.

The Duality of Allure and Fear

To complicate matters, many religions employ both allure and intimidation to maintain control over believers. It’s not just cults that threaten those contemplating departure. For instance, Christianity promises eternal life to its adherents while warning of hell for non-believers. Islam goes further, threatening apostates with death.

Ironically, if faith relies on allure and fear tactics, it underscores a lack of solid evidence. When a theory is robustly supported by facts, there’s no need to resort to fear to persuade individuals of its truth. The use of such psychological manipulation suggests that religious leaders struggle to present a compelling rational argument for their beliefs.

Navigating Uncertainty

Many individuals have an inherent desire for certainty and feel uncomfortable when confronted with ambiguity. For some, it’s comforting to fill that gap with the phrase, “I don’t know; therefore, God.”

However, if we can transcend that discomfort, we’ll recognize that it’s perfectly acceptable to admit our ignorance. In fact, such humility is commendable.

The foundation of science is built on this principle: “I don’t know; therefore, let’s explore.” If individuals are satisfied with beliefs such as the existence of Thor, they may lack the motivation to investigate the scientific explanations for phenomena like lightning. Similarly, if people accept the idea of a supernatural creation of the universe, they may not feel compelled to study the cosmos’ origins scientifically.