[sknapp351]

Hey all,
I have a question. It is one that can only be answered on an individual basis. I am wondering what connotations the word "faith" brings to each of us. I am thinking in terms of word association. Does this work extend beyond the realm of theology for anyone? What do each of us have faith in?
I am not trying to get into any kind of debate as to what the word should mean, or why someone may consider it wrong to mean something else. I am a MFA grad student and this question has come up in my thoughts, and I feel that the diversity that is in here can give me some better insights into the question.
Thanks to all who have a moment to consider this!
Sam

[loki74]

"Faith." Hmm. Other than my Christianity, the first thing that comes to my mind is my high school (It went by "Faith" for short).

It also heavily depends on what comes after it; "in God," "in me," "in her," what have you. Obviously faith in God suggestions religion, in me or in her would be like "just trust me on this one," or "she can do this."

So I would say that the connotations of the word without context are actually quite mild.

[sminch]

i'd have said that faith is what people have when they're too scared to look at things rationally.

scared of dying? no worries, just have faith in god.

scared of your plane crashing? all good - just have faith in the pilot (or god).

worried your girlfriend might shag your new neighbour? don't worry about the fact that the majority of marriages end in divorce and loads of people cheat on their partners - have faith!

sorry, i'm a cynic, and i'm honestly not meaning to rile anyone up re: god / faith / my lack thereof. i have faith in few things, i guess, and tend to view it as wishful thinking when the facts (or my interpretation of the facts, at least) of a situation are unpleasant. i don't think every plane is going to crash or everyone's spouse will cheat, but some do, and that won't change by having faith.

sminch

[budster101]

Wow, we have two Sams in here that actually sign their names at the end of the post.

How Sammy.

-Brucy

[Zenbone]

When I'm driving, I have faith that the other drivers know what they're doing. That's a big leap if you think about it.

If you don't think about it, well my friend, you've got farfignugen (however you spell it).

[sek929]

When you have "faith" in something, be it anything, its an intangible knowledge that you are doing whats good, and true. To me this does not nessicarily include belief in a higher power, just a higher good.

It makes no sense, I know, but what does?

[- - e r i k - -]

What sminch said