From a 'scientific, rational-empirical paradigm' (which is probably not the dominant paradigm at work here), the idea of 'the evidence of things not seen' when defining 'faith' would be a contradiction in terms.
Both 'faith' and 'hope' tend to generally be 'futuristic-minded' which may contain a mixture of 'evidence' and/or 'lack of evidence'.
'Faith' tends to be a generally stronger word than 'hope'. with 'optimism' somewhere in between the two.
If I say, I hope for a better future, that is not quite as strong as, I am optimistic relative to a better future, which in turn is not as strong as 'I have faith in a better future.'
And where is this 'faith' directed? Faith in one's self? Faith in an improving economy? And/or, faith in God? Faith in God is probably most effective when it helps to translate into a faith in Self. The expression, 'God helps those who help themselves' is perhaps most relevant here. It implies that God created man -- indeed all plants and animals to succeed -- but generally, not those who remain passive.
We are all blessed with a unique combination of skills, abilities, and creative possibilities, but only if we use all the amazing 'life tools' that God gave us to succeed. If we bury or suppress these same amazing tools, then who is accountable and responsible for this? God? Or us.
Perhaps the phrase, 'Use them or lose them!' -- meaning God's amazing life tools given to us collectively and/or individually -- is the operative logic here.
In the end, we are all accountable to ourselves -- with or without 'God's help'. One might use the phrase, 'God set us in motion, but it is up to us to move'.
I use the words 'God' and 'Creation' in the same breath here -- indeed, 'God', 'Nature', 'Man', and 'Evolution' all ideally in harmony with each other. 'God gave man the tools of evolution but it is up to man to use those tools -- his mind and his body -- to the best advantage of man, and his ongoing evolution. That means sustaining the environment (both natural and social) that is sustaining him/us.
Again, this is on man's shoulders, not God's.
We all need to help to sustain each other -- and to sustain our environment -- in order to best sustain ourselves.
This is my Spinozian influence.
-- dgb, Jan. 30th, 2011,
-- David Gordon Bain
