Gathering Prayer: Holy One who is know to us by many names and in many ways, we give thanks for the blessings that we have in our lives. Be present now as we enter a time of thought and discussion.
Focus: Epistemology asks questions like,”Do I really know what I think I know?” and “How certain can I be that an idea is true?”. Descartes said he knew without doubt that he existed because, “I think therefore I am”. Locke proposed that everything we know with certainty, we know by our senses. Donald Rumsfield threw all epistemology out the window when he noted that “there are no absolute ‘knowns’. There are things we know that we know…..(about which) there are things that we know we don’t know…..and (the dangerous part) there are things we do not know we don’t know.” (parentheticals added)
A belief, on the other hand,means that you have accepted something to be true, or you are confident and have trust in something. Your belief is based upon the knowledge and experience that you have .The kids believe that a parent will pick them up after soccer, a doctor believes that the medicine she prescribes will work, and a good Irishman believes that he will have a beer.
Faith is trickier. It is irrational. Richard Rohr wrote, “Faith is not a competition with other religions or gods. It is more a process than a conclusion, more a way of relating than a conclusion, more a wrestling match than a classroom, a dialogue of give and take – not just give and not just take.” It is also the topic for tonight’s discussion.
Sentences on the Subject:
Faith is the confidence in things hoped for, the assurance of what we have not seen. (Hebrews 11:1
Faith can move mountains; your failure to act keeps them in place. ( Twitter)
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe;help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
Below is some “food for thought”, a few probes that might kick start a conversation.
Read over them and pick one (or more, or none) to discuss. Remember to hold space for others to share and share only what you feel comfortable sharing.
Probe 1. Quoted “The problem is that fools and fanatics are so sure of themselves and the smart people are so full of doubt.” Any truth to that?
Probe 2. Paul Tillich said “Doubt is not the opposite of faith; it is one element of faith. Does this conflict with the Scripture verse from Hebrews? Is there room for doubt and faith to coexist?
Probe 3. Martin Luther King said, Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the entire staircase. Think of a time when you took a “leap of faith”. What were your thoughts? Your emotions? What factors prompted you to ‘just do it’?
Probe 4. Science is the study of the physical universe, its physical makeup and the laws which govern that universe. Spirituality is a term that is often used when describing those human experiences that are non-physical. Spiritual Metaphysics then is the view that reality is at it’s core, spiritual, not physical.
What do you think? Is there a realm beyond the world of atomic particles and gravitational forces that is just as real and governed by similar laws? (think : Karma, Law of Attraction, Reaping what you sow, Prosperity Gospel, Predestination)
Probe 5. Aldous-Huxley wrote “Give us this day our daily faith, and deliver us from our beliefs” What is the difference between faith and a religious belief?
Commission: Hold on to what is good. Love deeply. Honor others. Stay excited about life and your faith. Be joyful. Be patient. If you pray, have faith. Share with people who are in need. Welcome others into your homes. Be loving to those who hurt you. Be present; be in the moment. Be agreeable, even with those with whom you disagree. Be humble. Be a friend of people who aren’t considered important. Do the right thing. If possible, live in peace with everyone. And remember, no matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey- you are welcome here.
My Thoughts and the Thoughts of Others 