Aug
Faith and Doubt
Faith is a popular theme in conventional monotheistic religion. Their idea of faith is a belief in something because their church says so, even if no evidence exists to support that belief. They go so far as to extol those who believe without having any evidence whatsoever.
Real faith is neither blind nor gullible. Faith is confidence. It comes with experience. For instance, if you turn the doorknob of your front door and open it easily every day, you have faith that it works. Another example: if a person has always proven trustworthy and honest to you, then you develop faith in his character. Now switch the word “faith” with “confidence.” Obviously, faith is built on evidence. The greater and more enduring the evidence, the greater your faith will be.
Those who believe things without evidence may think they have faith. They may even take pride in having great faith without proof. That is not faith. That is superstitious gullibility.
Believe because you have reason to believe. If you do not have the reason, then doubt. Do not stop doubting until you have your proof. Real faith can only be built by proof. Doubt is the recognition that there is not enough evidence. Better to be skeptical than gullible.
