Why We Can't Agree on What Faith Is and What We Can Learn From It.
Apr 9, 2019
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In a thought-provoking discussion, Matt Dillahunty, a renowned debater on atheism, explores the polarizing definitions of faith held by Christians and non-Christians. The conversation digs into loyalty's role in shaping belief, emphasizing rational discourse. Dillahunty also examines the evidence of God through creation, the challenges posed by spiritual blindness, and personal journeys of faith, including overcoming depression. With insights on upcoming debates, the dialogue invites listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and experiences.
The podcast reveals a significant divide between Christians and non-Christians on the definition of faith, with contrasting views impacting dialogue.
It emphasizes the necessity for clear definitions of faith to improve communication between differing belief systems and reduce misunderstandings.
The host highlights that many Christians mistakenly equate faith with belief without evidence, which contradicts biblical teachings and fuels confusion.
Deep dives
Understanding Definitions of Faith
The podcast discusses a recent Twitter poll conducted to explore the differing definitions of faith among Christians and non-Christians. The options presented were 'belief without evidence' and 'trust,' leading to polarizing results where non-Christians leaned towards the former while Christians favored the latter. This disparity highlights a fundamental misunderstanding between the two groups regarding the nature of faith. The host emphasizes the need for clear definitions to facilitate better communication and understanding in discussions about faith.
Perspectives on Evidence and Trust
The conversation delves into why Christians assert that faith is not merely belief without evidence, arguing that trust, which can include evidence, is a more accurate definition. Christians often believe that their faith is supported by evidence, whether through personal experiences, historical documentation, or results from answered prayers. In contrast, non-Christians generally perceive faith as a blind trust lacking evidentiary support, reinforcing their skepticism. This divergence in perspective creates barriers in discussions, leading each group to misunderstand the other's viewpoint.
Issues with Poll Validity and Responses
The host discusses the validity of the poll results and notes instances where some Christians voted for faith as belief without evidence, despite it being contrary to biblical teachings. This raises concerns about the confusion over the definitions and the influence of non-believers intentionally skewing the poll results to demonstrate flaws in the definitions provided. A notable example includes a participant admitting to voting against their actual belief to highlight perceived issues with the poll. Such responses reveal the complexities and nuances within the conversation about faith, particularly in a polarized environment.
Atheist Perspectives on Faith
Various non-Christian respondents provided definitions that often cast faith in a negative light, associating it with irrationality or as a lack of real evidence. The podcast includes quotes from well-known atheists who characterize faith as wishful thinking or as a denial of observable reality, indicating a substantial disconnect between how the two groups view faith. This dissonance serves to alienate Christians further while reinforcing atheists' perceptions of faith as inherently unreasonable. The dialogue illustrates the need for clearer communication to bridge the gap between believers and non-believers.
The Challenge of Communication
The episode highlights the ongoing challenge of discussing faith between Christians and non-Christians due to differing definitions and understandings of the concept. Christians often feel that their faith is based on a combination of trust and evidence, while non-believers view it as unfounded belief. These opposing views hinder productive conversations about faith, as both sides approach discussions with conflicting premises. The podcast emphasizes the importance of finding common ground and clarity in these definitions to foster better dialogue and understanding.
Based on results from a recent poll on the definition of faith we can see that Christians and non-Christians seem to have opposing views of the word "faith". Here's what I think has caused this divide and what I think we can learn from it.
Here's the original poll on Twitter https://twitter.com/MikeWingerii/status/1111422821396156418
Here are the graphs developed from the poll https://twitter.com/MikeWingerii/status/1111857443980500992
Here’s my debate with Matt Dillahunty https://youtu.be/Z2FGgkubhZM
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