What is the function of faith?

[juliet]

I'm still a young non-believer (LOL), so I am still developing my opinions about faith and religion. I'd like to hear others' thoughts about this topic.

Today, I thought about faith as I was doing my marathon training run...suffice it to say 13 miles gives one plenty of time to think. From a non-religious perspective, I thought about the purpose of faith. But, first I started digging around in my mental files and came up with what I think faith might actually be.

I agree with the idea that, through evolutionary processes, our brains have the wiring necessary for faith.

So, how's this...faith is a modulating, neurobiological process in humans that is stimulated as a response to anxiety caused by not knowing what the future holds or what is the reason for some occurrence. It's the ability to emotionally handle the unanswerable questions like, "What happens when we die? Where did we come from?" Religions provide the structure for expressing this ability.

Its function is to take us from a state of growth-inhibiting anxiety (at any level of intensity) to a state of homeostasis from which we can grow and develop our humanity. Dare I say evolve to a higher form of human?

This is where I have a problem with the religion into which I was born and raised. It directed my faith to a super-natural being, said that this being has all the answers which are encrypted in the religious text and nature, that the answers will eventually be revealed and that I have no control over when because my physical being causes me to be unworthy to be given the answers as long as I am on this earth. And let's not forget the atonement process, which may or may not be permanent depending on what book of the Bible you're reading.

This religion told me that I have a super-natural spirit that will eventually live beyond the reality of physical life, so don't bother asking questions about reality or being too concerned for the people and environment of that reality. Religious faith kept me somewhat blinded to reality. Even to realities about myself (what actually makes me happy, what I need to have a meaningful marriage, how naturally comforting a person I am, etc.) And for a long time, that was fine, it was comfortable and it was safe.

Eventually, the little questions started to build into big questions. I felt I did not have permission to ask questions about the things that bothered me. I began to see intellectual laziness in others. Pastors used a lot of words to say nothing actually meaningful. I saw some people feel good (through prayer and tithing) about not doing anything they could to boost others towards success or ease another's suffering. A lot of same stuff heard among the de-indoctrinated. To me, religious faith stagnates human potential in many of its followers and allows people to deny or escape the uncomfortable parts of reality without addressing them or growing from them.

But, faith is a naturally occurring process, a coping strategy. It seems my brain is built to have faith. So, I've decided to point my modulating neurobiological process (I'm such a nerd) in the direction of the natural. As uncomfortable as reality can be, the more I can accept it and face it, the better I will be able to handle it and thrive in it and help other people do so as well (if my help will be accepted).

When there are unanswered questions, I have faith that a humanity deeply connected to the natural world will evolve to find or get closer to the answers of life. But, I also accept that this partnership may not provide all the answers, yet or ever. There may be some things that we will just never know.

I welcome your responses be they one or two line gut reactions or well-developed points and rebuttals. Questions are absolutely permissible.

Here are some other thoughts:

atheistempire.com/atheism/faith.html

[redfalcon]

This is an excellent question. People's definitions of those words may vary, but i think the generally accepted thoughts are this (at least this is what I go with):

Belief: Accepting a fact based on the reliability of the source, after questioning the details.

Faith: Accepting a fact without question, even DESPITE contrary evidence.

Does this sound good to you? I've never really DEFINED how i felt the two were different.

[rosa]

I think this is how i am - I percieve a spirit energy in myself in the world, and I choose to believe that it acts the way other natural systems do.

That's a pretty common belief system among neopagans, btw - some believe in anthromorphic gods and goddesses, some believe in one great overarching divinity that we percieve in parts, and some think spirit is just innate in everything and don't do the whole anthropomorphic thing at all. A couple pagan parents I know consider science education to *be* religious education - that is, the universe is divine and the best way to be in tune with it is to learn about it using the scientific method.

[juliet]

Thanks redfalcon and rosa for your replies. I appreciate your thoughts.

Since I posted this question, I've been pondering "faith" a bit more. I think faith in my life is that extra cushion for the unknowns in life. It softens the fears and the edges of reality a bit. I don't know how my new business is going to go this first year; I don't know what my new part-time job with Hospice will bring me or what I'll bring to it; I don't know if my marriage can be reconciled. I feel, though, sort of like you, Rosa, that there may be an overall spiritual energy in our universe (or in our part of it). It is a natural piece of life. I don't think we can invoke it to act on our behalf, but maybe, with a big enough rock, it will ripple in a way that will bring positive energy to us. With a highly focused cry, it will echo back to us in a way that makes us feel heard. I dunno for sure and can't prove it...that's why it's "faith." In the meantime, for me to acknowledge having faith is to take away some of the panic that creeps in from time to time lately.

Dan, I think that intellectually dishonest faith is that which believes in something despite contrary evidence. Young Earth Creationism being one example. I hope that I have an intelligent faith where I look for evidence. I also hope that the religious community will become more open to studying their faith...why do they have it? Why is it placed in a super-natural being?

A couple of good reads: A short one, but thought-provoking for me - God's Debris by Scott Adams (Dilbert's creator). Breaking the Spell by Daniel Dennett - I'm just getting into this one, but what wonderful craftsmanship of language and meaning in the message.