From Whence Comes Faith?

By AdrianJ

There are things we feel...
There are things we think...
There are even more things we imagine when we drink....
But most things, the most important lessons - we already knew
So why must we "believe" them if they're already true?

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Published on Monday, June 16, 2008. Filed under: "Poetry"

Comments on "From Whence Comes Faith?"

On Thursday, July 23, 2009, Scarrzz (235) wrote:

That which is, IS, whether I believe it or not. There is a right, there is a wrong, and I get to choose my own path. Still that wasn't the question. Faith comes from a source which cannot be seen, which is why when one makes a misstep, it is so easy to fall from. * thought provoking write.
A former member wrote: hmmm there are many truths that are not yet believed... and many falsehoods worshiped the world over. The psychological act of affirming the truth of some "thing" (belief) and the means (usually with scientific method) by which some "thing" is determined as true are not equivalent, maybe not even similar... maybe not even remotely so. Sometimes people have good psychological and emotional reasons for denying what has come to be deemed "true" ... just my thoughts.... murmurs in the dark.
On Monday, June 16, 2008, DIATRICUS (64) wrote:

"Faith" is one of those commonly used words with a highly diluted meaning, supporting multiple connotations and confusions. I personally enjoy the recognition of certain observations, comprising such logic patterns which are so 'revealing' as to be considered self-evident, once the observer/analyzer takes the time for proper consideration. Belief systems ["belief" here being enjoined as yet another confusion with faith] may be utilize such representations of self-evidence to reinforce a larger socio-political agenda. Faith itself, as I would use it, assumes the user of this particular device has both the understanding of the implications of his/her own actions in the present as they would potentially affect the future, as well as sufficient humility to realize that one does not have full control – that larger forces (divine, natural, mysterious... not that any of these are mutually exclusive) often drastically alter the outcome of any "distinct" event. Your poetic gesture captures all of my above interpretation within a single, swift, succinct motion -- which is yet another poignant example of why good poetry can be so powerful -- yours was beautifully written. Thank you for the resonance...
On Monday, June 16, 2008, Alanarchy (1168) wrote:

Faith, for me, comes from confidence. I don't believe faith to be soley a religious notion. Faith in yourself, and your abilities. In your loved ones, and your friends. I can't really call my religious beliefs to be faith; more like notions. I can barely call them religious beliefs. But If I was a relgious person, like alot of the people I know, I'd search for that faith inside myself. Going out and looking for it might just kill it before it hatches. Hmmmmm. "why must we believe them if they're already true?" I think this helps MAKE certain things actually take flesh. I think, therefore I am. I think, beyond a shadow of a doubt that I can be a good person, therefore, I try and better myself and do little if no wrong, therefore, I am a good person. I think I can play this next song well, therefore, I feel more confident in myself, I settle in, and I kill it. Like I said, I feel like it all comes from confidence.
A former member wrote: in my humble opinion....you ask a question here. Posed in the title of the piece.......my answer?......From whence comes faith? Out of the depths of fear. You should read my newest piece for a more clear answer on how I feel about this subject.
A former member wrote: actually i have so many pieces on this subject its hard to tell you which one gives the best perspective of my opinion.
On Monday, June 16, 2008, Sketso (416) wrote:

Faith, IMO, is nothing more than a hope that the "IDEAL" of what we know to be true can really exist. For some, if there is no faith in something better out there, then what remains is death.
On Monday, June 16, 2008, Sketso (416) wrote:

Well spoken, thought churning, by the way.
A former member wrote: I second urbans notion...and to answer the question, I think it's a "O ye of little faith" thing.
On Monday, June 16, 2008, AdrianJ (34) wrote:

Then why need faith? It either true or no, faith is where religious wars and atrocities grow. Perhaps, as Chris Rock says, it's better have an "idea" a "notion" - faith implies infallibility...
On Monday, June 16, 2008, Alanarchy (1168) wrote:

Everyone always talks about the bad things done in the name of god. What about the countless little things, that happen every single day by kind, pious people. All the comfort people get from believing such a harmless thing as, maybe, when I die, I won't really die. I'll go to somewhere better, then this crazy place. What about people like Mother T, and MLK? Yes, there have been some stupid, cruel things done in the name of christ. But people are stupid and cruel, by nature. If there was no such thing as religion, we'd all just find something else to kill eachother over.
On Monday, June 16, 2008, AdrianJ (34) wrote:

We already do have other things to kill each other over. The issue with religion is its coherent stated dedication to one set of principles and the outright violation of those self-said principles. People can do good without being religious. This was the message of the New Testament of the Bible: only 2 things are required - Love of God and Love of your fellow man. But how can one love God - only through your fellow man - and there is your principle - why do you need to have faith to treat people fairly and with respect?? And Mother Teresa and MLK were not really the "saints" we made them out to be as time always reveals the "human" behind the "hero/herorine"
On Monday, June 16, 2008, Alanarchy (1168) wrote:

Of course. Nothing's going to make you perfect. But can you say you've had the same impact as these people? Will you ever? Could it have been faith that helped them on their way? Well why not? Not divine intervention, no. But belief. No one in the stories, who is a human being, is as good as the stories themselves. Be that as it may... who cares? The messages are passed on. With strong undertones of faith. People benifit in all kinds of ways because of it. You don't need religion to do good, no. But it can (obviously) help the cause. Yes, many extremists can misinterperet things, and this can lead to tragedy. But my man, I think, in the end, the killing over religion is an excuse to kill over something else. As you said, we already have plenty to kill over.
On Monday, June 16, 2008, urbanhumility (1158) wrote:

i meant profound
On Monday, June 16, 2008, urbanhumility (1158) wrote:

profoujd in its simplicity......well done