The Faith of the Faithless
Posted: Wednesday, August 12, 2009
by Edward Rhymes
If you watched a particular Nightline episode a couple of years ago, you would have seen Ray Comfort & Kirk Cameron go toe-to-toe with two hardcore atheists (in this writing I won't be concentrating, much, on what they had to say). Before the debate, Ray Comfort boasted of being able to prove the existence of God without faith. And that, in my opinion, was his fatal flaw. If it is impossible to please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6), then (in my opinion) it is impossible to prove His existence without faith.
Ray & Kirk would have served the cause of Christ much better had they focused more on faith. Hebrews 11: 1 states that "faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen"---and this phenomenon is not unique to the Christian experience. As a matter of fact, everyone, whether they be atheist, agnostic or believer, exercises faith in a thousand and one different ways each and every day. In faith, millions of people fly planes; ride buses and trains and drive automobiles with no guarantee that'll reach their destination, and yet in faith, they still drive; they still ride; they still fly. In faith, millions of people fly in planes and never ask to see proof of the pilot's license or certification, and yet without knowing; without seeing , they still fly. In faith, millions of people make vacation plans, doctor's appointments and various other plans for the future with no proof; with no guarantee that their plans will come to pass, but, in faith, they still plan.
The evolutionist tells us to have faith as well. According to their theory, they tell us that one species evolved into another one, knowing that in order for that to be true, we should have a multitude of evidence (the missing links if you will) that validate this transition. Yet, without us seeing one single fossil to prove this or seeing one species evolving into another, we are asked to "have faith" that their hypothesis is true.
We all exercise faith in a myriad of other ways. We can have faith in our human vision which can be faulty or deceived; in our ears that can be mistaken and deficient; in our own intellect and intelligence that can be limited, flawed or diminish with apathy, age or disease. We can even have faith in our own character or integrity even though, at times, we have fallen far short of our best ideals and stated values.
During my numerous surgeries, no matter how much I researched the doctor, the ailment/disease or the procedure, it still required faith to allow a near-stranger to cut me open whilst unconscious. Faith is not, in my opinion, inferior knowledge, but rather "the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen." It is like believing in the element of wind, not because you can see it or hold it, but because you see the evidence of its substance in the leaning grass and in the rustling of the leaves on the trees.
Additionally, most atheists do believe in love. Whether it is familial, friendship or an intimate relationship between two people. A parent; a sibling; a friend; a spouse says "I love you," but what is the proof? The things that people usually list as evidence or proof, can be mimicked or feigned; the things that are ordinarily detailed are merely signs of what we believe love to be, not the source. On demand, no one can place a pound or ounce of love in another's hand to prove its existence. So the recipient has to, in faith, accept the evidences of love as proof although they cannot see the source--- for none of us, can fully know what's inside another. And yet, when all is said and done, we continue to seek, give and receive declarations of love.
So seeing that we ALL use faith to one degree or another; or in one way or another (whether we be Atheist, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim or otherwise) it has to be understood that it is not faith that puts us (Christians) at odds with our atheist neighbors, but rather in WHOM and WHERE we have placed our faith. This has far less to do with proof that unbelievers deem insufficient and more to do with Christ and His command that we love Him above all else; and that we come down from the throne of our lives and allow Him to take His rightful place.
Nevertheless, before we bemoan what we perceive to be a "faithless" society, country or world, let us first look inward. The greatest proof of Christ should be a Christian; the greatest evidence of God should not be found in the stars, the trees or the mountains (although they do a pretty good job), but in the people who say they believe in Him. It should pain us to admit that we have done a very poor job, as a whole, of properly representing God. We don't have to look any further than our lack of obedience; our lack of unity and harmony; and most regrettably, our lack of love. If it is our desire that people believe in God, then we must have love for God and one another --- by this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35 ESV). Further, let us go forth and make the case for His existence by loving our neighbors as ourselves. And finally, let us strive to put His reality beyond dispute or contestation, by how much and how well we even love our enemies . Love never fails.. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
The evolutionist tells us to have faith as well. According to their theory, they tell us that one species evolved into another one, knowing that in order for that to be true, we should have a multitude of evidence (the missing links if you will) that validate this transition. Yet, without us seeing one single fossil to prove this or seeing one species evolving into another, we are asked to "have faith" that their hypothesis is true.
We all exercise faith in a myriad of other ways. We can have faith in our human vision which can be faulty or deceived; in our ears that can be mistaken and deficient; in our own intellect and intelligence that can be limited, flawed or diminish with apathy, age or disease. We can even have faith in our own character or integrity even though, at times, we have fallen far short of our best ideals and stated values.
During my numerous surgeries, no matter how much I researched the doctor, the ailment/disease or the procedure, it still required faith to allow a near-stranger to cut me open whilst unconscious. Faith is not, in my opinion, inferior knowledge, but rather "the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen." It is like believing in the element of wind, not because you can see it or hold it, but because you see the evidence of its substance in the leaning grass and in the rustling of the leaves on the trees.
Additionally, most atheists do believe in love. Whether it is familial, friendship or an intimate relationship between two people. A parent; a sibling; a friend; a spouse says "I love you," but what is the proof? The things that people usually list as evidence or proof, can be mimicked or feigned; the things that are ordinarily detailed are merely signs of what we believe love to be, not the source. On demand, no one can place a pound or ounce of love in another's hand to prove its existence. So the recipient has to, in faith, accept the evidences of love as proof although they cannot see the source--- for none of us, can fully know what's inside another. And yet, when all is said and done, we continue to seek, give and receive declarations of love.
So seeing that we ALL use faith to one degree or another; or in one way or another (whether we be Atheist, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim or otherwise) it has to be understood that it is not faith that puts us (Christians) at odds with our atheist neighbors, but rather in WHOM and WHERE we have placed our faith. This has far less to do with proof that unbelievers deem insufficient and more to do with Christ and His command that we love Him above all else; and that we come down from the throne of our lives and allow Him to take His rightful place.
Nevertheless, before we bemoan what we perceive to be a "faithless" society, country or world, let us first look inward. The greatest proof of Christ should be a Christian; the greatest evidence of God should not be found in the stars, the trees or the mountains (although they do a pretty good job), but in the people who say they believe in Him. It should pain us to admit that we have done a very poor job, as a whole, of properly representing God. We don't have to look any further than our lack of obedience; our lack of unity and harmony; and most regrettably, our lack of love. If it is our desire that people believe in God, then we must have love for God and one another --- by this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35 ESV). Further, let us go forth and make the case for His existence by loving our neighbors as ourselves. And finally, let us strive to put His reality beyond dispute or contestation, by how much and how well we even love our enemies . Love never fails.. So faith, hope, love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Evolutionary theory is not based on faith, it exists as an explanation for the physical evidence we see.The specifics of evolutionary theory have changed a little since Darwin's day, because *new evidence* has been found - scientific theories are constantly revised to fit the currently available evidence - they have to be because science has nothing else on which to base them, so as soon as new evidence emerges which is incompatible with the theoretical model, that model has to be thrown out or revised.Proof applies only in logic and mathematics, so scientific atheists will not seek proof, only evidence (and they should happily throw out any hypothesis which is falsified by newly found evidence!)People go on planes because they are aware of the evidence that they work (at least most of the time). There's no real faith required in believing that a high-probability event will actually come to pass (i.e. that the plane will arrive safely at its destination).In relationships, the love and trust is based on evidence. If a partner behaves in a constantly loving way, we can believe they love us without relying on faith - the behavioural evidence is sufficient to justify the belief.Of course, there is no *proof*, and new evidence could come in at any point which would force us to reject the belief that our partner truly loves us.This also applies to evolutionary theory - if just a single piece of evidence comes to light that is incompatible with the current model of evolution, then that model will have to be rejected or altered. Just one fossil rabbit in Pre-Cambrian rock will do it. So far, no such evidence has been found, despite the fact that a lot of evolution denialists have been desperately searching for some.I agree with your support for love, and the world would surely be a better place if we loved each other, even our enemies, more. But people leading good loving lives doesn't add evidential support for the reality of the Christian God, or any other.Hello Ben and thank you for your thoughtful response. I respectfully disagree with your points:
1. Evolution does ask us to believe something that none of us has heretofore witnessed: one species changing into another. In other words they are asking us to have faith. I further believe that evolution does ask us to believe that living matter sprang forth from non-living matter --- to my knowledge that is a biological impossibility.
2. Yes, people do fly planes believing that there is a high probability that they will arrive at their destination safely. However, high-probability does not equal absolute certainty; and if not absolute certainty, then there is SOME faith involved.
3. Yes, I do believe that consistency and constancy of character can give us some idea of how "true" someone's feelings are or love is. But, this can prove to be problematic in a number of ways:
a. How do I know my definition of love is valid? --- isn't that somewhat subjective and therefore somewhat faith-based?
b. Has the evidences involved in anybodys' definition of love ever been mimicked, feigned or counterfeited? --- I know of people who were watchful, careful and cautious and still found out years later that they had been deceived by someone who betrayed them. Anything genuine can be duplicated. Loving, in my opinion, is the ultimate act of faith.
c. And yes, as a Christian, I am pretty committed to the particular point of view that true love and goodness comes from God. I fully understand that many people do not agree with that particular point of view and although I disagree, I respect that that their view is different than mine. I also understand that the challenging of my perspective helps me to stretch and grow as a person.
I appreciate your feedback and candor Ben, whether you believe it or not (c'mon man have faith :)), it is VERY appreciated.Hi Edward, thanks for your response. I think you raise some interesting points.1. Speciation actually has been observed on numerous occasions. Also, the fossil record shows change over time. It is this observed fact of change in species, and transition from one species to another, that the theory of evolution seeks to explain. It is also important to be aware that species aren't the discrete entities we normally assume them to be!"I further believe that evolution does ask us to believe that living matter sprang forth from non-living matter --- to my knowledge that is a biological impossibility"Actually evolution does not require us to believe that (as it doesn't make any claims about the origin of life itself, it only explains what happens once living replicators with certain properties arise). Having said that, most scientists would accept that life did come from non-living matter.It's important to realise that there is no difference between living and non-living matter - its all the same stuff. What makes some arrangement of matter a living thing is its organised complexity, not some special property of its component atoms.Both scientific and creation-based accounts of the origin of life suggest that life came from non-living matter, the only difference is the mechanism by which this happened (naturalistic abiogenesis of some sort vs divine manipulation of firmament or dust).Across the world, non-living matter (dead food) is turned into new living beings (or parts of existing living beings) every day. Sea-salt is one example, where non-living mineral can become part of living organisms. So we know it can happen!2. I accept your point here, but this kind of "faith" is nothing like the special or virtuous faith of religious believers. If having faith in God was just a matter of accepting an overwhelming probability based on evidence, such faith would not be special or virtuous!For the sake of clarity, I'd normally say a belief based on faith was "a belief not resting on logical proof or material evidence", whereas a belief based on an evidence-based probability would not be faith-based. Using the same term "faith" for these very differently-founded kinds of belief can lead to confusion and conflation.3. A agree to some extent with your points here, although again I think the distinction between evidence-based and non-evidence-based "faith" is important in this context. Love is a strong emotion and can cause us to continue to love someone *in spite of* the evidence (e.g. if the person consistently treats you badly), and in that sense love can definitely be "an act of faith".With regard to point c, that love and goodness come from God, there is no conclusive evidence to support that, so that, I'd say, would be a belief based on faith, in contrast to beliefs based on evidence (such as the scientific model of evolution).Sure, you can use the word faith to describe both beliefs, but I think that creates a false sense of similarity, as they are very differently founded - the type of "faith" involved in each is very different!
I enjoyed this article and the exchange between you and Ben. I'm a faith-walker, believer and talker. I buy the whole enchilada and eat it, too! For that, I have been blessed. Thank you for your beautiful insights and delivery on what I believe is Truth.
Great Article! I always said that it takes more faith to be an atheist than it takes to be a Christian, because the evidence favors Christians.Thanks Jim! I have said that many times as well. Let me say say welcome again to the SearchWarp community!
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