♦ Last Updated on May 11, 2025 ♦
Faith in the Balance: Navigating Doubt and Belief in a Complex World
Will it hold? Evidently yes, for now.
1,258 words, 7 minutes read time.
Need To Know
Imagine a group of young people standing at the crossroads of belief and skepticism. Raised in religious households, they now grapple with questions that challenge the very foundations of their being. In an age where information is abundant and perspectives are diverse, many young individuals find themselves in similar positions, questioning long-held beliefs, seeking discerning understanding, while trying to keep the faith of their parents.
Generally speaking, faith is understood as a trusting commitment to someone and/or something. Both religious and non-religious faith help us meet our goals, keep our relationships secure, and enable us to retain our commitments over time. Faith is thus a central part of a flourishing life. But is there more to faith?
The Leap of Faith
Philosophers Søren Kierkegaard and Jacques Derrida spoke of the ‘leap of faith.’ Kierkegaard argued that this leap is necessary because faith cannot be reduced to an intellectual test one passes, but is rooted in passion and one’s cares and concerns. Kierkegaard emphasized that the leap is not a rejection of reason but rather an acknowledgment that forward movement in faith requires a decision each individual must make for themselves. Drawing on Kierkegaard, Derrida tells us that all decisions require an undecidable leap beyond all prior preparations for that decision.
Attitude-Focused vs. Act-Focused
Faith can be seen as an internal attitude and/or as actions that express commitment.
Faith, understood as an attitude, is similar to attitudes like beliefs or desires. In the same way that you might believe that God exists, you might have faith that God exists. Both are attitudes (things in your head), rather than actions (things you do). Call this attitude-focused faith.
A second kind of faith is not in your head, but an action. This kind of faith is similar to taking a “leap of faith” — an act of trust in someone or something. For example, walking across a rickety bridge demonstrates faith that the bridge will hold you. This type of faith is called an act of faith, or action-focused faith.
Faith-That vs. Faith-In
Another distinction regarding faith is between faith-that and faith-in, that is, differentiating between believing that something is true and placing trust in someone or something.
Faith-that is faith that a certain proposition is true. Propositions are true or false statements, expressed by declarative sentences. So 1+1=2, all apples are red, and God exists are all propositions. In the case of faith, you might have faith that a bridge will hold you, or faith that God exists. Faith-that is similar to other propositional attitudes, like belief and knowledge.
There’s also faith-in. Faith-in is not faith toward propositions, but faith toward persons or ideals. For example, you might have faith in yourself, no faith in socialism, faith in your spouse, faith in a VIP, or no faith in motorcycles.
Four Key Features of Faith
Lastly, we’ll mention four key features of faith: trust, risk, resilience, and going beyond the evidence. These four features are often associated with faith.
Trust
The first feature of faith is trust. As already noted, faith is a trusting commitment. Trust involves reliance on another person. This can include, for example, believing what they say, depending on them, or being willing to take risks that hinge on them coming through for you. The close association with faith and trust lends itself to a certain view of faith: faith is believing another’s testimony. Testimony is another’s reporting that something is true.
Risk
Faith is also closely related to risk. Risk involves making a decision in a situation where some bad outcome is possible but uncertain. Jumping a wide crevice involves the possible bad outcome of falling in. This examples illustrate the connection between risk and action-focused faith. There is also the case of ‘mental’ risk, that is, not having faith when evidence is insufficient, but eventually missing out on the benefits of a belief-come-true.
Resilience
A third feature of faith is resilience. Faith’s resilience stems from the connection between faith and commitment. If you have faith that God exists, this involves a religious commitment. These commitments can be difficult to keep—you get discouraged, doubt yourself or others, your desires and passions fade, and/or you get counterevidence that makes you wonder if you should have committed in the first place. Faith’s resilience helps you overcome these obstacles and keep your commitments.
Going beyond the Evidence
A final feature of faith is that it goes beyond the evidence. This component is related to faith’s resilience. Faith helps you maintain your commitments because it goes beyond the evidence. Note that there is a difference between going beyond the evidence and going against the evidence. Going beyond the evidence might look like believing or acting when the evidence is decent but imperfect. However, this does not mean faith goes against the evidence, requiring you to believe something that you have overwhelming evidence is false.
What To Do
Embrace Doubt as a Companion to Faith
Understand that doubt is not the enemy of faith but a catalyst for deeper exploration. Engaging with doubt can lead to a more robust and resilient belief system.
Explore Philosophical Perspectives
Familiarize yourself with various philosophical interpretations of faith. William James‘s concept of “The Will to Believe” suggests that in certain situations, it’s rational to adopt a belief without prior evidence, especially when the decision is pressing and significant.
Reflect on Personal Experiences
Consider how personal experiences shape your beliefs. Søren Kierkegaard emphasized the subjective nature of faith, viewing it as a personal leap beyond rational evidence. What decisions did you make that required a momentous leap of faith?
Identify Your Ultimate Concerns
Paul Tillich described faith as the state of being ultimately concerned. Reflect on what matters most to you and how it aligns with your beliefs and actions.
Cultivate Virtue Through Practice
Alasdair MacIntyre highlighted the importance of virtues embedded in social practices. Engage in communities and traditions that foster moral development and leadership.
Seek Reputable Role Models
Look to historical and contemporary figures who exemplify the balance of faith and doubt in their leadership, such as Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Mother Teresa, and many others.
Engage in Community Dialogue
Participate in discussions with diverse groups to broaden your understanding and challenge your perspectives. Stay open to new ideas and be willing to revise your beliefs in light of new experiences and information.
7 Key Points
1. Faith and Doubt Coexist: Doubt can deepen faith by prompting critical reflection and personal growth.
2. Philosophical Insights Enhance Understanding: Engaging with philosophical perspectives can provide frameworks for navigating belief and skepticism.
3. Leaps of Faith are Part and Parcel of Life: When significant choices confront us, we likely make a decision involving a leap of faith.
4. Personal Experience is Central: Individual experiences play a crucial role in shaping and affirming one’s faith.
5. Ultimate Concerns Guide Belief: Identifying what you are ultimately concerned with can clarify your values and commitments.
6. Virtue is Developed Through Practice: Moral and religious leadership is cultivated through active participation in virtuous communities and practices.
7. Understanding Faith’s Nature: Recognizing the different dimensions and types of faith can lead to a more nuanced and resilient belief system.
Learn More
To further explore these concepts:
- William James’s “The Will to Believe”: Investigates the justification of faith without empirical evidence.
- Søren Kierkegaard’s Works: Delve into “Fear and Trembling” and “The Sickness Unto Death” for insights into the subjective nature of faith.
- Paul Tillich’s “Dynamics of Faith”: Explores the concept of faith as an ultimate concern.
- Alasdair MacIntyre’s “After Virtue”: Discusses the role of virtue in moral philosophy and leadership.
- Faith: Contemporary Perspectives: Offers a comprehensive overview of modern philosophical discussions on faith.
Final Reflection
By engaging with these resources and reflecting on the interplay between faith and doubt, young individuals can navigate their spiritual journeys with authenticity and emerge as thoughtful, compassionate leaders in their communities.
Disclaimer
The author conceived the general content of this post and polished it with the help of Gen AI.