Does it make sense to you that a deity would be so concerned with whether or not someone had faith in him that he would make faith necessary for salvation? Why or why not?
Faith is what will allow for the entire universe to be inhabited and also be free of conflict.
All will obey universal law in faith -which allows them to be governed by one capable of managing all aspects of the universe while not having to be controlled or micromanaged.
Faith is not simply belief -and it is actually not blind belief.
It is evidence and substance of things hoped for and not seen, but more like the way a blind person is able to see and know in other ways.
"The righteous shall LIVE BY faith."
"To have faith, one must believe that God exists and rewards those who diligently seek him."
Faith allows for actions which fear does not.
Fear often causes us to choose the lesser of two evils.
Living by faith is choosing to obey God regardless of immediate circumstance or threat.
It is knowing that God will either prevent that which they fear or threatens them now (like Daniel in the lion's den) -or nullify later that which he does not prevent, but allows temporarily for a purpose (like Christ being crucified, prophets being killed, persecution and martyrdom, etc.)
Those who live by faith now will be made immortal kings and priests who will reign with Christ after the first resurrection -for the first thousand years on earth and then beyond -because they will have already become strong in obeying the law which will make things wonderful.
Those who break the law in fear or otherwise because circumstance tells them it is less problematic for them in the short term will eventually have to learn otherwise.
Such are corruptible -and not yet the sort which can be trusted to inherit the creation as children of God without allowing the sort of situations we see now on earth.
