Faith Or Democracy

Oxford English dictionaries online defines religious faith as...

"Strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof"

... but that seemingly simple definition is not so simple. If one investigates the meanings of the words in the definition, applying the meanings most suited to their purpose within the definition given for faith, it reveals much...

Belief:
(1) An acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof.
(1.2) Religious conviction.
OED - Belief.
Spiritual:
(1) Relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.
OED - Spiritual.
Conviction:
(2.1)The quality of showing that one is firmly convinced of what one believes or says.
OED - Conviction.

Faith:
(2) Strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof.
OED - Faith

So, as I said, taking the most suitable components we arrive at...

Faith: : Strong acceptance that the doctrines of a religion are true, based on the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things, showing that one is firmly convinced of what one accepts as true, rather than by proof.
I think that's fair; if you think otherwise, let me know in the comments.

... Which is incredibly tangly and seemingly meaningless because of it, so let's attempt to untangle it...
"human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical" is a very convoluted way of saying "the immaterial part of ourselves", commonly known as mind, where feelings are registered. So, in the context of the definition...

Faith:: Accepting the doctrines of a religion as true, based on feelings, to show that one is firmly convinced of the religion's truth.

"to show one is firmly convinced of the religion's truth" is disturbing, isn't it? Is it just me or can you almost hear the screams of those tortured under inquisition? Does it not suggest oppression will befall those who do not sufficiently display adherence?
Anyway, it adds nothing to the first half of the sentence so...

Faith: Accepting the doctrines of a religion as true, based on feelings.

Which is just a longer way of saying ...

Faith: Accepting a doctrine as true because it makes one feel good.

Which means, when it comes down to it, it's merely...

Faith: Feeling a doctrine is true (because you like what it promises and/or fear what it threatens).

And, as far as I'm concerned, feeling a doctrine is true because it makes you feel good/bad, is of no more value than pretending.
Further though, if one views the definition of faith through a sensibly more suspicious lens it can be transposed into..

Faith: Submission to non-negotiable, doctrinal rules because doctrinal promises both please and terrify one.
If there was to be a replacement for a current dictionary definition of religious faith, I think this would be close to my preferred wording.

Or, to go a stage further, based on the textually evident behaviour of the scriptural figurehead of the faiths humans have created and, mostly...

Faith: Unconditional adherence to unproven, undemocratic authoritarian overlord's wishes for unconfirmed and deferred, discretionary reward.

Freedom, to me, seems inherently votey and faith, by this definition, is at best woolly wishes for the weak or intellectually inept and at worst capitulation to a despot.
Not for this Democrat.

What about you... faith or democracy?


This is one of the Too Many Questions

PEACE
Crispy

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