Do humans have a faith instinct?

[Pico and ME]

I remember trying to 'believe' when I was little. I grew up in an atheist household but everyone else around me had 'faith'. So sometimes, lying in bed, I would practice believing with all my heart...just in case they were right. Even at that age, I felt really silly doing it. It just wasnt there for me, it was like trying to believe in Santa Claus after you were fully aware that he was a made up creation. In fact, in my young mind, it was knowing that Santa and the Tooth Fairy were not real that made it easier to realize that adults were doing the same thing about God.

[Pie]

Originally Posted by Pico and ME

I remember trying to 'believe' when I was little. I grew up in an atheist household but everyone else around me had 'faith'. So sometimes, lying in bed, I would practice believing with all my heart...just in case they were right. Even at that age, I felt really silly doing it. It just wasn't there for me, it was like trying to believe in Santa Claus after you were fully aware that he was a made up creation. In fact, in my young mind, it was knowing that Santa and the Tooth Fairy were not real that made it easier to realize that adults were doing the same thing about God.

Wow, I had exactly the same experience! Lying in bed, saying the "our father" in my head, waiting for it to be meaningful in some way... I gave up after the third day, I think, and went back to multiplication tables.

It left me with the strong understanding that reality is far more meaningful, beautiful and dependable than fantasy. YMMV.

[skysidhe]

I think we are basically altruistic beings so in that sense it could be genetic but as far as faith goes and what we hold that faith to and how we express it is a matter of perception and preference.


I think if by faith we mean church then I think some people choose to express their altruism through it.I think homeless shelters and charities are a good examples of this.

I think some people express faith by going to church which may not have any altruistic motivations at all.

I have faith in the basic altruism of man. I have faith in nature. I have faith in the natural progression of life and all that goes on in living day by day.
I don't know what it means to have faith in god if god is judging me by my faith because if he is then it is probably lacking. I am not saying I do not have faith...it just a certain particle of something I cannot really explain.

Originally Posted by Pie

Wow, I had exactly the same experience! Lying in bed, saying the "our father" in my head, waiting for it to be meaningful in some way... I gave up after the third day, I think, and went back to multiplication tables.

That's so poignant. To me