Does Belief in God Require Faith?

[Enai de a lukal]

Just taking the first definition in both cases:

faith |fāTH|
noun
1 complete trust or confidence in someone or something

belief |biˈlēf|
noun
1 an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists

I suppose one can believe in a god without having faith in it, but then what's the point of their belief?

That isn't the sense of faith that is really relevant here. The 2nd one would've been closer to the mark, ie.-

2. strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof.

Although this isn't very good, as it is not exclusive to God (or even religious doctrines), and it needn't be based on "spiritual apprehension". Faith that, as opposed to faith in, is simply belief that something is true without sufficient evidence or proof. That's all.

 

[idav]

I suppose one can believe in a god without having faith in it, but then what's the point of their belief?

I can believe whoever did such and such but what would it matter, I wouldnt believe in any sort of magic bullet theory. Mostly right is good enough and the rest is taken on faith.

 

[Thief]

Someone said.....
'There are many who do good things...even in the name of the Lord....and He knows them not.'

'Oh ye workers of inequity!'

something like that.

 

[Salvos por Gracia]

Do you think a person can believe in God, yet not due to faith, or is faith the only way?

As a Christian who adheres to Reformed theology (aka Calvinism), I believe it is possible for someone to believe in a Supreme Being without having faith in that Supreme Being. Belief and having faith are two different things. The former doesn't require the latter while the latter requires the former. I believe many people have the former but don't have the latter.

 

[Norrin-6-]

I vote no, the belief in a god does not require faith. That being said, with all the myriad of other reasons someone might believe out of the way, the last resort for some is to say "I just believe." This is the kind of faith that goes against reason, and a kind of faith that I never had. I did believe things based on faith no doubt, but if I could learn from you I could be swayed. My faith was negotiable in that regard. I think if I had faith that could be negotiated away by reason, it is likely that there are others who actually have no faith in what they believe in and just think that they are right and have gone unchallenged.