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Do not fill this in! == Religious faith == === Christianity === [[File:Triumph of Faith over Idolatry Theodon.jpg|thumb|180px|right|''Triumph of Faith over [[Idolatry]]'' by [[Jean-Baptiste Théodon]] (1646–1713)]] {{Main|Faith in Christianity}} The word translated as "faith" in English-language editions of the New Testament, the [[New Testament Greek|Greek]] word {{lang|grc|πίστις}} ({{transliteration|grc|pístis}}), can also be translated as "belief", "faithfulness", or "trust".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://biblehub.com/greek/4102.htm|title= Strong's Greek: 4102. πίστις (pistis) – faith, faithfulness|work= biblehub.com|access-date= 14 October 2015|archive-date= 17 October 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151017050725/http://biblehub.com/greek/4102.htm|url-status= live}}</ref> Faith can also be translated from the Greek verb {{lang|grc|πιστεύω}} ({{transliteration|grc|pisteuo}}), meaning "to trust, to have confidence, faithfulness, to be reliable, to assure".<ref name=Thomas1981>{{Cite book |editor-last1= Thomas |editor-first1= Robert L. |year = 1981 |title= New American standard exhaustive concordance of the Bible | pages= 1674–75 | isbn= 0-87981-197-8 | publisher= A.J. Holman | location= Nashville, Tenn.}}</ref> Christianity encompasses various views regarding the nature of faith. Some see faith as being persuaded or convinced that something is true.<ref name= Wilkin2012>{{Cite book |title= The Ten Most Misunderstood Words in the Bible |year= 2012 |last= Wilkin|first= Robert N. |page= 221 |publisher= GES |location= Corinth, Tex.}}</ref> In this view, a person believes something when they are presented with adequate evidence that it is true. The 13th-century theologian Saint [[Thomas Aquinas]] did not hold that faith is mere opinion: on the contrary, he held that it represents a mean (understood in the [[Aristotelianism|Aristotelian]] sense) between excessive reliance on science (i.e. demonstration) and excessive reliance on opinion.<ref>{{multiref2 |1={{Cite book|last=Aquinas|first=Thomas|chapter-url= https://www.newadvent.org/summa/3001.htm|title= Summa Theologiae|chapter=Faith|at=Secunda Secundae Partis, Q. 1|access-date= 2018-05-26|archive-date= 2018-05-27|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180527201512/http://www.newadvent.org/summa/3001.htm|url-status= live}} |2={{cite web |last1=Kraut |first1=Richard |title=Aristotle's Ethics: 5. The Doctrine of the Mean |url=https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-ethics/#DoctMean |website=The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy |publisher=Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University |access-date=6 May 2022 |date=2018 |archive-date=10 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221110125320/https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/aristotle-ethics/#DoctMean |url-status=live}} }}</ref> According to [[Teresa Morgan]], faith was understood by early Christians within the cultural milieu of the period as a relationship that created a community based on trust, instead of a set of mental beliefs or feelings of the heart.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Morgan |first=Teresa Jean |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=59umCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA14 |title=Roman Faith and Christian Faith: Pistis and Fides in the Early Roman Empire and Early Churches |year=2015 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-872414-8 |language=en |access-date=2023-03-01 |archive-date=2023-03-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326164822/https://books.google.com/books?id=59umCAAAQBAJ&pg=PA14 |url-status=live }}</ref> Numerous commentators discuss the results of faith. Some believe that true faith results in good works, while others believe that while faith in [[Jesus]] brings eternal life, it does not necessarily result in good works.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://redeeminggod.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/Faith-and-Good-Works-JD-Myers.pdf| first = Jeremy D.|last= Myers|title=The Gospel Under Siege| access-date = 2015-09-11| archive-date = 2016-03-04| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304233647/http://redeeminggod.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/Faith-and-Good-Works-JD-Myers.pdf| url-status = live}}</ref> Regardless of the approach taken to faith, all Christians agree that the Christian faith (in the sense of Christian practice) is aligned with the ideals and the example of the life of [[Jesus]]. The Christian contemplates the mystery of [[God]] and his [[Divine grace|grace]] and seeks to know and become obedient to God. To a Christian, the faith is not static, but causes one to learn more of God and to grow in faith; Christian faith has its origin in God.<ref name= Wuerl2004>{{Cite book | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=IzqDiPALzKEC&q=a&pg=PA238 | title= The Teaching of Christ: A Catholic Catechism for Adults, Edition: 5, revised | year= 2004 | last= Wuerl|first= Donald W. | page= 238 | isbn= 1-59276-094-5 | access-date= 21 April 2009 |publisher= Our Sunday Visitor Pub. Division | location= Huntingdon, Ind.}} {{Dead link|date=October 2021}}</ref> In Christianity, faith causes change as it seeks a greater understanding of God. Faith is not [[fideism]] or simple obedience to a set of rules or statements.<ref>{{cite book|last=Migliore|first=Daniel L.|year=2004|title=Faith seeking understanding: an introduction to Christian theology|location=Grand Rapids, Mich|publisher=W.B. Eerdmans|pages=3–8}}</ref> Before Christians have faith, but they must also understand in whom and in what they have faith. Without understanding, there cannot be true faith, and that understanding is built on the foundation of the community of believers, the scriptures and traditions, and on the personal experiences of the [[belief|believer]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Inbody|first=Tyron|year=2005|title=The faith of the Christian church: an introduction to theology|location=Grand Rapids, Mich.|publisher=William B. Eerdmans|pages=1–10}}</ref> ==== Strength of faith ==== Christians may recognize different degrees of faith when they encourage each other to, and themselves strive to, develop, grow, and/or deepen their faith.<ref>For example {{cite book | title = Draw Near to God: 100 Bible Verses to Deepen Your Faith | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=VSSDDwAAQBAJ | publisher = Zondervan | date = 2019 | isbn = 978-0-310-45388-8 | access-date = 25 September 2019}}{{page needed|date=July 2023}}</ref> This may imply that one can measure faith. Willingness to undergo [[martyrdom]] indicates a proxy for depth of faith but does not provide an everyday measurement for the average contemporary Christian. Within the [[Calvinist]] tradition the degree of prosperity<ref>Compare [[prosperity theology]].</ref> may serve as an analog of the level of faith.<ref>Compare: {{cite book | last1 = Weber | first1 = Max | author-link1 = Max Weber | translator1-last = Baehr | translator1-first = Peter | translator2-last = Wells | translator2-first = Gordon C. | year = 1905 | title = The Protestant Ethic and the 'Spirit' of Capitalism: and Other Writings | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=4MmligHndssC | series = Penguin twentieth-century classics | location = New York | publisher = Penguin | publication-date = 2002 | isbn = 978-1-101-09847-9 | access-date = 25 September 2019 | quote = In the course of its development, Calvinism made a positive addition: the idea of the necessity of ''putting one's faith to the test'' [''Bewährung des Glaubens''] in secular working life. [...] It thus provided the ''positive'' motivation [''Antrieb''] for asceticism, and with the firm establishment of its ethics in the doctrine of predestination, the spiritual aristocracy of the monks, who stood outside and above the world, was replaced by the spiritual aristocracy of the saints ''in'' the world, predestined by God from eternity [...]. | archive-date = 13 January 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230113012218/https://books.google.com/books?id=4MmligHndssC | url-status = live }}</ref> Other Christian strands may rely on personal self-evaluation to measure the intensity of an individual's faith, with associated difficulties in calibrating to any scale. Solemn affirmations of a [[creed]] (a statement of faith) provide {{clarify|text=broad measurements of details.|date=July 2023}} Various tribunals of the [[Inquisition]], however, concerned themselves with precisely evaluating the orthodoxy of the faith of those it examined – to acquit or to punish in varying degrees.<ref> {{cite book | last1 = Peters | first1 = Edward | author-link1 = Edward Peters (scholar) | year = 1988 | chapter = The Inquisition in Literature and Art | title = Inquisition | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=TnqLow3iKd4C | edition = reprint | location = Berkeley | publisher = University of California Press | publication-date = 1989 | page = 225 | isbn = 978-0-520-06630-4 | access-date = 25 September 2019 | quote = The costuming of those convicted [...] was the result of careful planning and indicated specific gradations of guilt. There was never a single, simple ''[[sanbenito]]'', for example, but a different kind of ''sanbenito'' for different crimes and degrees of heresy, with corresponding headgear [...]. The garb of the penitents, the procession with inquisitorial banners and crosses, the careful design of the seating and sequence of the ceremony made the [[Auto-da-fé|''auto-de-fé'']] itself 'a work of art [...]' [...]. [...] The aim of the ''auto-de-fé'', as its name suggests, is the '''act'' of faith,' that is, the liturgical demonstration of the truth of the faith and the error and evil of its enemies.}}</ref> The classification of different degrees of faith allows that faith and its expression may wax and wane in fervor—during the lifetime of a faithful individual and/or over the various historical centuries of a society with an embedded religious system. Thus, one can speak of an "Age of Faith"<ref>{{multiref2 |1={{cite book |last1 = Tanner |first1 = Norman |title = The Ages of Faith: Popular Religion in Late Medieval England and Western Europe |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=dojYAAAAMAAJ |series = Volume 56 of International Library of Historical Studies |year = 2009 |publisher = Bloomsbury Academic |publication-date = 2009 |page = 161 |isbn = 978-1-84511-760-3 |access-date = 28 October 2021 |quote = After all, was not the Middle Ages the 'age of faith' ''par execellence'', the time when the whole of Europe was united not only in its belief but also in a common view of society? }} |2={{cite book |last1 = Durant |first1 = Will |author-link1 = Will Durant |orig-date = 1950 |title = The Age of Faith |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=cusRoE1OJvEC |series = Volume 4 of ''[[The Story of Civilization]]'' |date = 7 June 2011 |publisher = Simon and Schuster |publication-date = 2011 |isbn = 978-1-4516-4761-7 |access-date = 28 October 2021 }} }}</ref> or of the "decay" of a society's [[religiosity]] into corruption,<ref> {{cite book |title = The Norton History of Modern Europe |year=1971 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=gPX5rnMMBGUC |publication-date = 1971 |page = 129 |access-date = 28 October 2021 |quote = Luther attacked not the corruption of institutions but what he believed to be the corruption of faith itself. }}</ref> secularism,<ref> {{cite book |last1 = Haught |first1 = James A. |title = Fading Faith: The Rise of the Secular Age |year = 2010 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=GdKZSQAACAAJ |publisher = Gustav Broukal Press |publication-date = 2010 |isbn = 978-1-57884-009-0 |access-date = 28 October 2021 }}</ref> or [[atheism]],<ref> {{cite book |last1 = Brown |first1 = Callum G |author-link1 = Callum G. Brown |title = Becoming Atheist: Humanism and the Secular West |date = 12 January 2017 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=YnDBDQAAQBAJ |location = London |publisher = Bloomsbury Publishing |publication-date = 2017 |page = 2 |isbn = 978-1-4742-2455-0 |access-date = 28 October 2021 |quote = By the 1990s, the liberalization of Western culture allowed the individual in most countries to be comfortably alienated from church and faith without fear of censure or social stigma [...]. }}</ref>—interpretable as the ultimate loss of faith.<ref> {{cite book |last1 = Kalla |first1 = Krishen Lal |title = The Mid-Victorian Literature and Loss of Faith |year = 1989 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=5aQgemN-y3YC |edition = 1 |location = New Delhi |publisher = Mittal Publications |publication-date = 1989 |page = 205 |isbn = 978-81-7099-155-7 |access-date = 28 October 2021 |quote = In the mid-Victorian era [...] new scientific discoveries broke out giving rise to agnosticism, scepticism and atheism. All important writers of this age came under the influence of rationalism and their writings are a record of the struggle in their minds between faith and loss of faith. Some, like [[Algernon Charles Swinburne|Swinburne]] and [[James Thomson (poet, born 1834)|J. Thomson (B.V.)]] became atheists [...]. }}</ref> ==== Christian apologetic views ==== In contrast to [[Richard Dawkins]]' view of faith as "blind trust, in the absence of evidence, even in the teeth of evidence",<ref>{{cite book|first=Richard|last=Dawkins|title=The Selfish Gene|edition=2nd|location=Oxford|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1989|page=198}}</ref> [[Alister McGrath]] quotes the Oxford Anglican theologian [[William Griffith Thomas|W. H. Griffith Thomas]] (1861–1924), who states that faith is "not blind, but intelligent" and that it "commences with the conviction of the mind based on adequate evidence...", which McGrath sees as "a good and reliable definition, synthesizing the core elements of the characteristic Christian understanding of faith".<ref>{{cite book |last= McGrath |first= Alister E. | title= The Order of Things: Explorations in Scientific Theology | year= 2008 | publisher= John Wiley & Sons | isbn= 978-1-4051-2556-7 | page= 33 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=WrRZBOxJzDcC}}</ref> American biblical scholar [[Archibald Thomas Robertson]] (1863–1934) stated that the Greek word {{transliteration|grc|pistis}} used for "faith" in the New Testament (over two hundred forty times), and rendered "assurance" in {{bibleverse|Acts|17:31|kjv}}, is "an old verb meaning 'to furnish', used regularly by [[Demosthenes]] for bringing forward evidence."<ref>{{cite book | last= Robertson | first= Archibald Thomas | title= Word Pictures in the New Testament | at= Chapter 17 | url= http://www.ccel.org/ccel/robertson_at/wp_acts.xviii.html | access-date= 2014-01-26 | archive-date= 2015-01-08 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150108000717/http://www.ccel.org/ccel/robertson_at/wp_acts.xviii.html | url-status= live }}</ref> Tom Price (Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics) affirms that when the New Testament talks about faith positively it only uses words derived from the Greek root [{{transliteration|grc|pistis}}] which means "to be persuaded".<ref>{{cite web | last= Price | first= Thomas | title= Faith is about 'just trusting' God isn't It? | date= 9 November 2007 | url= https://www.bethinking.org/truth/faith-is-about-just-trusting-god-isnt-it | access-date= 23 January 2014 | archive-date= 21 February 2014 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140221173701/http://www.bethinking.org/bible-jesus/introductory/faith-is-about-just-trusting-god-isnt-it.htm | url-status= live }}</ref> British Christian apologist [[John Lennox]] argues that "faith conceived as a belief that lacks warrant is very different from faith conceived as a belief that has warrant". He states that "the use of the adjective 'blind' to describe 'faith' indicates that faith is not necessarily, or always, or indeed normally, blind". "The validity, or warrant, of faith or belief depends on the strength of the evidence on which the belief is based." "We all know how to distinguish between blind faith and evidence-based faith. We are well aware that faith is only justified if there is evidence to back it up." "Evidence-based faith is the normal concept on which we base our everyday lives."<ref>{{cite book | last= Lennox | first= John | title= Gunning for God: Why the New Atheists Are Missing the Target |year= 2011 |publisher= Lion |location= United Kingdom | isbn= 978-0-7459-5322-9 | page= 55 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=kxBRhMYsadwC&q=faith+defined+as+warranted+based+on+evidence}}</ref> Peter S. Williams holds that "the classic Christian tradition has always valued rationality and does not hold that faith involves the complete abandonment of reason while believing in the teeth of evidence".<ref>{{cite book |last=Williams |first=Peter S. |date=2013 |title=A Faithful Guide to Philosophy: A Christian Introduction to the Love of Wisdom |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DCEVL-8d-J4C |publisher=Authentic Media Inc |chapter=§1.4 |isbn=978-1-78078-310-9 |access-date=2023-05-29 |archive-date=2023-05-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230529202228/https://books.google.com/books?id=DCEVL-8d-J4C&printsec=frontcover |url-status=live }}</ref> Quoting [[J. P. Moreland|Moreland]], faith is defined as "a trust in and commitment to what we have reason to believe is true". Regarding [[doubting Thomas]] in {{bibleverse|John|20:24–31}}, Williams points out that "Thomas wasn't asked to believe without evidence". He was asked to believe based on the other disciples' testimony. Thomas initially lacked the first-hand experience of the evidence that had convinced them... Moreover, the reason John gives for recounting these events is that what he saw is evidence... Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples... But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God, and that believing ye might have life in his name. {{bibleverse|John|20:30–31}}."<ref>{{cite book | last= Williams | first= Peter S. | title= A Faithful Guide to Philosophy: A Christian Introduction to the Love of Wisdom | year= 2013 | publisher= Authentic Media | isbn= 978-1-84227-811-6 | pages= Chapter 1.4 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=DCEVL-8d-J4C}}</ref> Concerning doubting Thomas, Michael R. Allen wrote: "Thomas's definition of faith implies adherence to conceptual propositions for the sake of personal knowledge, knowledge of and about a person ''qua'' person".<ref>{{cite book |last1= Allen |first1= Michael |title= The Christ's Faith: A Dogmatic Account |date= 2009 |publisher= T&T Clark Studies in Systematic Theology |location= London |isbn= 978-0-567-03399-4 |page= 80}}<!--|access-date= 26 January 2016--></ref> Kenneth Boa and Robert M. Bowman Jr. describe a classic understanding of faith that is referred to as ''[[evidentialism]]'', and which is part of a larger [[Epistemology|epistemological]] tradition called ''classical [[foundationalism]]'', which is accompanied by ''[[deontologism]]'', which holds that humans must regulate their beliefs following evidentialist structures. They show how this can go too far,{{how|date=July 2023}}<ref>{{cite book | last1= Boa | first1= Kenneth | first2= Robert M.|last2=Bowman | title= Faith Has Its Reasons: Integrative Approaches to Defending the Christian Faith | date= March 1, 2006 | publisher= IVP Books | location= USA | isbn= 978-0-8308-5648-0 | page= 253 }}</ref> and [[Alvin Plantinga]] {{clarify|text=deals with it.|date=July 2023}} While Plantinga upholds that faith may be the result of evidence testifying to the reliability of the source (of the truth claims), yet he sees having faith as being the result of hearing the truth of the gospel with the internal persuasion by the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]] moving and enabling him to believe. "Christian belief is produced in the believer by the internal instigation of the Holy Spirit, endorsing the teachings of Scripture, which is itself divinely inspired by the Holy Spirit. The result of the work of the Holy Spirit is faith."<ref>{{cite book | last= Plantinga | first= Alvin | title= Warranted Christian Belief | url= https://archive.org/details/warrantedchristi0000plan | url-access= registration | year= 2000 | publisher= Oxford University Press |location= USA |isbn= 0-19-513192-4 |pages= [https://archive.org/details/warrantedchristi0000plan/page/250 250], 291}}</ref> ==== Catholicism ==== The four-part ''[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]]'' (CCC) gives Part One to "The Profession of Faith". This section describes the content of faith. It elaborates and expands, particularly upon the [[Apostles' Creed]]. CCC 144 initiates a section on the "Obedience of Faith".{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} In the [[theology]] of [[Pope John Paul II]], faith is understood in personal terms as a trusting commitment of person to person and thus involves Christian commitment to the divine person of [[Jesus Christ]].<ref>{{cite book |last1= Dulles |first1=Avery |author-link1= Avery Dulles |title= The Splendor of Faith: The Theological Vision of Pope John Paul II |date= 2003 |publisher= Crossroad Publishing Company |location= New York |isbn= 0-8245-2121-8 |pages= vii-viii}}</ref> ==== Methodism ==== In [[Methodism]], faith plays an important role in [[Justification (theology)|justification]], which occurs during the [[born again|New Birth]].<ref name="Elwell2001">{{cite book|last= Elwell|first= Walter A.|title= Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Baker Reference Library)|date=1 May 2001|publisher=Baker Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-4412-0030-3|page=1268|quote= This balance is most evident in Wesley's understanding of faith and works, justification and sanctification... Wesley, in a sermon entitled 'Justification by Faith', makes an attempt to define the term accurately. First, he states what justification is not. It is not being made actually just and righteous (that is sanctification). It is not being cleared of the accusations of Satan, nor of the law, nor even of God. We have sinned, so the accusation stands. Justification implies pardon, the forgiveness of sins...Ultimately for the true Wesleyan salvation is completed by our return to original righteousness. This is done by the work of the Holy Spirit...The Wesleyan tradition insists that grace is not contrasted with law but with the works of the law. Wesleyans remind us that Jesus came to fulfill, not destroy the law. God made us in his perfect image, and he wants that image restored. He wants to return us to a full and perfect obedience through the process of sanctification... Good works follow after justification as its inevitable fruit. Wesley insisted that Methodists who did not fulfill all righteousness deserved the hottest place in the lake of fire. }}</ref> The [[Emmanuel Association]], a Methodist denomination in the [[conservative holiness movement]], teaches:<ref name="Emmanuel2002"/> {{blockquote|Living faith is the gift of God ({{bibleverse|Ephesians|2:8}}; {{Bibleverse|Romans|4:16}}) imparted to the obedient heart through the Word of God ({{Bibleverse|Romans|10:17}}), and the ministry of the Holy Ghost ({{Bibleverse|Ephesians|2:18}}). This faith becomes effective as it is exercised by man with the aid of the Spirit, which aid is always assured when the heart has met the divine condition ({{Bibleverse|Hebrews|5:9}}). Living faith is to be distinguished from intellectual confidence which may be in the possession of any unawakened soul ({{Bibleverse|Romans|10:1–4}}).|Principles of Faith, Emmanuel Association of Churches<ref name="Emmanuel2002">{{cite book |title= Guidebook of the Emmanuel Association of Churches |date= 2002 |publisher= [[Emmanuel Association]] |location= [[Logansport, Indiana|Logansport]] |page=7 |language=English}}</ref>}} ==== The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ==== The [[articles of Faith (Latter Day Saints)|Articles of Faith]] of [[the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] states that "faith in the Lord Jesus Christ" is the first principle of the gospel. Some alternative, yet impactful, ideas regarding the nature of faith were presented by church founder [[Joseph Smith]]<ref>Smith was not the sole author: {{Cite web|url= https://rsc.byu.edu/lectures-faith-historical-perspective/authorship-history-lectures-faith|title= Authorship and History of the Lectures on Faith|website= Religious Studies Center|access-date= 2020-03-06|archive-date= 2020-06-25|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200625162903/https://rsc.byu.edu/lectures-faith-historical-perspective/authorship-history-lectures-faith|url-status= live}}</ref> in a collection of sermons, which are now published as the ''[[Lectures on Faith]]''.<ref>{{cite book |url= https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/lectures-faith-historical-perspective/lectures-faith-1990-edited-version/lecture-1 |title= Lectures on Faith|access-date= 2018-10-08|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181008095718/https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/lectures-faith-historical-perspective/lectures-faith-1990-edited-version/lecture-1|archive-date= 2018-10-08 }}</ref> * Lecture 1 explains what faith is; * Lecture 2 describes how mankind comes to know about God; * Lectures 3 and 4 make clear the necessary and unchanging attributes of God; * Lecture 5 deals with the nature of God the Father, his Son Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost; * Lecture 6 proclaims that the willingness to sacrifice all earthly things is a prerequisite to gaining faith in salvation; * Lecture 7 treats the fruits of faith—perspective, power, and eventually perfection.<ref> {{cite book |chapter-url= https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/lectures-faith-historical-perspective/authorship-and-history-lectures-faith |last1= Dahl|first1= Larry E. |chapter= Authorship and History of the Lectures on Faith |title=The Lectures on Faith in Historical Perspective |publisher= Brigham Young University, Religious Studies Center |location= Provo, Utah |access-date= 2018-10-08 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181008061433/https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/lectures-faith-historical-perspective/authorship-and-history-lectures-faith|archive-date= 2018-10-08 }}{{Date missing}}</ref> === Buddhism === {{Main|Faith in Buddhism}} Faith in Buddhism ({{transliteration|pi|saddhā}}, {{transliteration|sa|śraddhā}}) refers to a serene commitment to the practice of the Buddha's teaching and trust in enlightened or highly developed beings, such as [[Buddha (title)|Buddhas]] or ''[[bodhisattvas]]'' (those aiming to become a Buddha).<ref name="Gomez 2004">{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Gómez|first1=Luis O.|editor1-last=Buswell|editor1-first=Robert E.|editor1-link=Robert Buswell Jr.|title=Faith|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Buddhism|date=2004|publisher=Macmillan Reference USA, [[Thomson Gale]]|location=New York [u.a.]|isbn=0-02-865720-9|url=http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Encyclopedia%20of%20Buddhism_2%20Vols_%20Buswell.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912051354/http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Encyclopedia%20of%20Buddhism_2%20Vols_%20Buswell.pdf|archive-date=September 12, 2015|pages=277–9}}</ref><ref name=Jayatilleke1963>{{Citation|url=http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/early%20buddhist%20theory%20of%20knowledge_jayatilleke.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911084454/http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Early%20Buddhist%20Theory%20of%20Knowledge_Jayatilleke.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-11 |last1=Jayatilleke|first1=K.N.|author-link1=K.N. Jayatilleke|title=Early Buddhist theory of knowledge|date=1963|publisher=[[George Allen & Unwin]]|isbn=1-134-54287-9}}</ref>{{rp|388–89}} Buddhists usually recognize multiple objects of faith, but many are especially devoted to one particular object of faith, such as one particular Buddha.<ref name="Gomez 2004" /><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Kinnard|first1=Jacob N.|editor1-last=Buswell|editor1-first=Robert E.|editor1-link=Robert Buswell Jr.|title=Worship|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Buddhism|date=2004|publisher=Macmillan Reference USA, [[Thomson Gale]]|location=New York [u.a.]|isbn=0-02-865720-9|url=http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Encyclopedia%20of%20Buddhism_2%20Vols_%20Buswell.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912051354/http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Encyclopedia%20of%20Buddhism_2%20Vols_%20Buswell.pdf|archive-date=September 12, 2015|page=907}}</ref>{{r|Jayatilleke1963|pages=386, 396–7}} In [[Pre-sectarian Buddhism|early Buddhism]], faith was focused on the [[Refuge in Buddhism|Three Jewels]] or Refuges, namely, [[Gautama Buddha]], his teaching (the ''[[Dharma (Buddhism)|Dhamma]]''), and the community of spiritually developed followers, or the [[Monasticism|monastic community]] seeking enlightenment (the ''[[Sangha]]''). Although offerings to the monastic community were valued highest, early Buddhism did not morally condemn peaceful offerings to [[deva (Buddhism)|deities]].<ref name=Lamotte1988>{{Citation|url=http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/History%20of%20Indian%20Buddhism_Lamotte.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150215111618/http://ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/History%20of%20Indian%20Buddhism_Lamotte.pdf |archive-date=2015-02-15 |last1=Lamotte|first1=Etienne|author-link1=Etienne Lamotte|translator-first=Sara|translator-last=Webb-Boin|title=Histoire du Bouddhisme Indien, des origines à l'ère Śaka|language=fr|trans-title=History of Indian Buddhism: from the origins to the Saka era|date=1988|publisher=[[Université catholique de Louvain]], Institut orientaliste|location=Louvain-la-Neuve|isbn=90-6831-100-X}} </ref>{{rp|74–5, 81}} A faithful devotee was called [[upasaka and Upasika|''upāsaka'' or ''upāsika'']], for which no formal declaration was required.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Tremblay|first1=Xavier|editor1-last=Heirman|editor1-first=Ann|editor2-last=Bumbacher|editor2-first=Stephan Peter|encyclopedia=The spread of Buddhism|title=The spread of Buddhism in Serindia|date=2007|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]]|location=Leiden|isbn=978-90-04-15830-6|edition=online|page=87}}</ref> In early Buddhism, personal verification was valued highest in attaining the truth, and sacred scriptures, reason, or faith in a teacher were considered less valuable sources of authority.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Fuller|first1=Paul|title=The notion of diṭṭhi in Theravāda Buddhism: the point of view|date=2004|publisher=[[RoutledgeCurzon]]|location=London|isbn=0-203-01043-4|page=36}}{{dead link|date=February 2018}}</ref> As important as faith was, it was a mere initial step to the path to [[Paññā|wisdom]] and [[enlightenment (Buddhism)|enlightenment]], and was obsolete or redefined at the final stage of that path.{{r|Lamotte1988|pages=49–50}}{{r|Jayatilleke1963|pages=384, 396–7}} While [[faith in Buddhism]] does not imply "blind faith", Buddhist practice nevertheless requires a degree of trust, primarily in the spiritual attainment of [[Gautama Buddha]]. Faith in Buddhism can still be described as faith in the Three Jewels (the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha). It is intended to lead to the goal of enlightenment, or ''[[bodhi]]'', and ''[[Nirvana]]''. Volitionally, faith implies a resolute and courageous act of will. It combines the steadfast resolution that one will do a thing with the self-confidence that one can do it.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Way of Wisdom: The Five Spiritual Faculties|first=Edward|last=Conze|author-link=Edward Conze|year=1993|url=https://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/conze/wheel065.html|publisher=[[Buddhist Publication Society]]|isbn=978-955-24-0110-7|access-date=2009-01-19|archive-date=2008-12-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081223234330/http://www.accesstoinsight.org/lib/authors/conze/wheel065.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In the later stratum of Buddhist history, especially [[Mahāyāna Buddhism]], faith was given a much more important role.<ref name=Harvey2013>{{Citation|last1=Harvey|first1=Peter|author-link1=Peter Harvey|title=An introduction to Buddhism: teachings, history and practices|date=2013|publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]]|location=New York|isbn=978-0-521-85942-4|edition=2nd|url=https://toleratedindividuality.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/an-introduction-to-buddhism-teachings-history-and-practices.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220094935/https://toleratedindividuality.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/an-introduction-to-buddhism-teachings-history-and-practices.pdf |archive-date=2017-02-20 |url-status=live}}</ref>{{rp|172}}<ref>{{cite book|last1=Leaman|first1=Oliver|author-link=Oliver Leaman|url=http://www.mohamedrabeea.com/books/book1_9036.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150515122643/http://mohamedrabeea.com/books/book1_9036.pdf|archive-date=2015-05-15|title=Eastern philosophy: key readings|date=2000|publisher=[[Routledge]]|location=London [u.a.]|isbn=0-415-17357-4|page=212}}</ref> The concept of the [[Buddha Nature]] was developed, as devotion to Buddhas and ''bodhisattvas'' residing in [[Pure Land]]s became commonplace.<ref>{{multiref2 |1={{cite encyclopedia|last1=Bielefeldt|first1=Carl|editor1-last=Buswell|editor1-first=Robert E.|editor1-link=Robert Buswell Jr.|title=Japan|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Buddhism|date=2004|publisher=Macmillan Reference USA, [[Thomson Gale]]|location=New York [u.a.]|isbn=0-02-865720-9|url=http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Encyclopedia%20of%20Buddhism_2%20Vols_%20Buswell.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912051354/http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Encyclopedia%20of%20Buddhism_2%20Vols_%20Buswell.pdf|archive-date=September 12, 2015|pages=389–90}} |2={{cite encyclopedia|last1=Reynolds|first1=Frank E.|last2=Hallisey|first2=Charles|author-link2=Charles Hallisey|editor1-last=Jones|editor1-first=Lindsay|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of religion|title=Buddha|date=1987|publisher=[[Thomson Gale]]|location=Detroit|isbn=0-02-865997-X|edition=2nd|url=https://www.politicalavenue.com/PDF/ENCYCLOPEDIAS/The%20Gale%20Encyclopedia%20of%20Religion%202nd%20Ed%20Vol.%202.pdf|volume=2|page=1068|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302073830/https://www.politicalavenue.com/PDF/ENCYCLOPEDIAS/The%20Gale%20Encyclopedia%20of%20Religion%202nd%20Ed%20Vol.%202.pdf|archive-date=2017-03-02}} }}</ref> With the arising of the cult of the [[Lotus Sūtra]], faith gained a central role in Buddhist practice,<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Shields|first1=James Mark|editor1-last=Emmanuel|editor1-first=Steven M.|encyclopedia=A companion to Buddhist philosophy|title=Political Interpretations of the ''Lotus Sūtra''|date=2013|publisher=[[Wiley-Blackwell]]|location=Chichester, West Sussex|isbn=978-0-470-65877-2|url=http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/A%20Companion%20to%20Buddhist%20Philosophy_Emmanuel.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316084217/http://ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/A%20Companion%20to%20Buddhist%20Philosophy_Emmanuel.pdf|archive-date=March 16, 2015|pages=512, 514}}</ref> which was further amplified with the development of devotion to the [[Amitabha Buddha]] in [[Pure Land Buddhism]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|editor-last1=Cheng|editor-first1=Linsun|editor-last2=Brown|editor-first2=Kerry|last=Hsieh|first=Ding-hwa|encyclopedia=Berkshire encyclopedia of China|title=Buddhism, Pure Land|date=2009|publisher=[[Berkshire Publishing Group]]|location=Great Barrington, MA|isbn=978-0-9770159-4-8|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0_Z2AQAACAAJ|pages=236–7}}</ref><ref name=Green2013>{{Citation|last1=Green|first1=Ronald S.|editor1-last=Emmanuel|editor1-first=Steven M.|encyclopedia=A companion to Buddhist philosophy|title=East Asian Buddhism|date=2013|publisher=[[Wiley-Blackwell]]|location=Chichester, West Sussex|isbn=978-0-470-65877-2|url=http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/A%20Companion%20to%20Buddhist%20Philosophy_Emmanuel.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316084217/http://ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/A%20Companion%20to%20Buddhist%20Philosophy_Emmanuel.pdf|archive-date=March 16, 2015}}</ref>{{rp|123}} In the Japanese form of Pure Land Buddhism, under the teachers [[Hōnen]] and [[Shinran]], only [[shinjin|entrusting faith]] toward the Amitabha Buddha was believed to be a fruitful form of practice, as the practice of celibacy, morality, and other Buddhist disciplines were dismissed as no longer effective in this day and age, or as contradicting the virtue of faith.{{r|Green2013|pages=122–3}}{{t|Harvey2013|pages=230, 255}}<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|last1=Hudson|first1=Clarke|editor1-last=Jones|editor1-first=Lindsay|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of religion|title=Buddhist meditation: East Asian Buddhist meditation|date=2005|publisher=[[Thomson Gale]]|location=Detroit|isbn=0-02-865997-X|edition=2nd|url=https://www.politicalavenue.com/PDF/ENCYCLOPEDIAS/The%20Gale%20Encyclopedia%20of%20Religion%202nd%20Ed%20Vol.%202.pdf|volume=2|page=1294|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302073830/https://www.politicalavenue.com/PDF/ENCYCLOPEDIAS/The%20Gale%20Encyclopedia%20of%20Religion%202nd%20Ed%20Vol.%202.pdf|archive-date=2017-03-02}}</ref> Faith was defined as a state similar to enlightenment, with a sense of self-negation and humility.<ref>{{multiref2 |1={{cite book|last1=Conze|first1=Edward|author-link1=Edward Conze|title=Buddhism, its essence and development|date=2003|orig-date=1951|publisher=[[Dover Publications]]|location=Mineola, N.Y.|isbn=0-486-43095-2|url=https://www.scribd.com/document/86358877/Buddhism-Its-Essence-and-Development-Edward-Conze|page=158|access-date=2017-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122132949/https://www.scribd.com/document/86358877/Buddhism-Its-Essence-and-Development-Edward-Conze|archive-date=2017-11-22}} |2={{cite book|last1=Dobbins|first1=James C.|author-link1=James C. Dobbins|title=Jodo Shinshu: Shin Buddhism in medieval Japan|date=2002|publisher=[[University of Hawaii Press]]|location=Honolulu|isbn=0-8248-2620-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Xb3BImNUdRAC|pages=34–5}} }}</ref> Thus, the role of faith increased throughout Buddhist history. However, from the nineteenth century onward, [[Buddhist modernism]] in countries like Sri Lanka and Japan, and also in the West, has downplayed and criticized the role of faith in Buddhism. Faith in Buddhism still has a role in modern Asia and the West but is understood and defined differently than in traditional interpretations.{{r|Harvey2013|pages=378, 429, 444}}<ref>{{multiref2 |1={{cite book|last1=Gombrich|first1=Richard F.|author-link1=Richard F. Gombrich|title=Theravāda Buddhism: a social history from ancient Benares to modern Colombo|url=https://discourse.suttacentral.net/uploads/default/original/2X/d/d5fea775dea49f4d9b780f0e88a40f862bfb1356.pdf|date=2006|publisher=[[Routledge]]|location=London [u.a.]|isbn=0-415-36508-2|edition=2nd|pages=196–7|access-date=2017-11-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117004527/https://discourse.suttacentral.net/uploads/default/original/2X/d/d5fea775dea49f4d9b780f0e88a40f862bfb1356.pdf|archive-date=2017-11-17}} |2={{cite encyclopedia|last1=Ahn|first1=Juhn|editor1-last=Buswell|editor1-first=Robert E.|editor1-link=Robert Buswell Jr.|title=Popular conceptions of Zen|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Buddhism|date=2004|publisher=Macmillan Reference USA, [[Thomson Gale]]|location=New York [u.a.]|isbn=0-02-865720-9|url=http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Encyclopedia%20of%20Buddhism_2%20Vols_%20Buswell.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912051354/http://www.ahandfulofleaves.org/documents/Encyclopedia%20of%20Buddhism_2%20Vols_%20Buswell.pdf|archive-date=September 12, 2015|page=924}} }}</ref> Within the [[Dalit Buddhist Movement]] communities, taking [[Refuge in Buddhism|refuge]] is defined not only as a religious, but also a political choice.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dore|first1=Bhavya|title=Rising caste-related violence pushes many Indians to new faith|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/houston-belief/article/Rising-caste-related-violence-pushes-many-Indians-9523647.php|access-date=23 September 2017|work=[[Houston Chronicle]]|agency=[[Hearst Newspapers]]|publisher=[[Religion News Service]]|date=1 October 2016|archive-date=24 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170924045746/http://www.houstonchronicle.com/life/houston-belief/article/Rising-caste-related-violence-pushes-many-Indians-9523647.php|url-status=live}}</ref> === Hinduism === {{Main|Bhakti|Faith in Hinduism}} Bhakti ({{lang-sa|[[:wikt:भक्ति#Sanskrit|भक्ति]]}}) literally means "attachment, participation, fondness for, homage, faith, love, devotion, worship, purity".<ref name=monier>[[Monier-Williams]], ''Sanskrit Dictionary'', 1899.{{full citation needed|date=July 2023}}</ref> It was originally used in [[Hinduism]], referring to devotion and love for a personal god or a representational god by a devotee.<ref name=encyclopediabrit>{{multiref2 |1={{cite encyclopedia|chapter-url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/63933/bhakti|chapter=Bhakti|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201229174330/https://www.britannica.com/topic/bhakti |archive-date=2020-12-29|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|year=2009 |title=Bhakti | Hinduism, Devotion & Rituals | Britannica }} |2={{Cite book |last=Pechelis |first=Karen |title=The Continuum Companion to Hindu Studies |publisher=Bloomsbury |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-8264-9966-0 |editor-last=Frazier |editor-first=Jessica |pages=107–121 |chapter=Bhakti Traditions |editor-last2=Flood |editor-first2=Gavin}} }}</ref> In ancient texts such as the ''[[Shvetashvatara Upanishad]]'', the term simply means participation, devotion, and love for any endeavor, while in the ''[[Bhagavad Gita]]'', it connotes one of the possible paths of spirituality and towards [[moksha]], as in {{transliteration|sa|bhakti marga}}.<ref>{{cite book|first=John|last=Lochtefeld|year=2014|title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism|publisher=Rosen Publishing|location=New York|isbn=978-0-8239-2287-1|pages=98–100}} Also see articles on {{transliteration|sa|bhaktimārga}} and {{transliteration|sa|jnanamārga}}.</ref> [[Ahimsa]], also referred to as [[nonviolence]], is a fundamental tenet of Hinduism that advocates harmonious and peaceful co-existence and evolutionary growth in grace and wisdom for all humankind unconditionally.{{relevance inline|reason=unclear how this relates to "faith" specifically|date=July 2023}} In Hinduism, most of the Vedic prayers begins with the chants of Om. [[Om]] is the [[Sanskrit]] symbol that amazingly resonates the peacefulness ensconced within one's higher self. Om is considered to have a profound effect on the body and mind of the one who chants and also creates a calmness, serenity, healing, strength of its own to prevail within and also in the surrounding environment.{{relevance inline|reason=unclear how this relates to "faith" specifically|date=July 2023}} === Islam === {{Main|Iman (Islam)}} In Islam, a believer's faith in the metaphysical aspects of [[Islam]] is called {{transliteration|ar|Iman}} ({{lang-ar|{{large|الإيمان}}}}), which is complete submission to the will of God, not unquestioning or blind belief.<ref>{{multiref2 |1={{cite book|last=al-Farāhī|first=Hamīd al-Dīn|title=Majmū'ah Tafāsīr|edition=2nd|publisher=Faran Foundation|year=1998|page=347}} |2={{cite book|first=Frederick M.|last=Denny|title=An Introduction to Islam|edition=3rd|page=405}} }}</ref> A man must build his faith on well-grounded convictions beyond any reasonable doubt and above uncertainty.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gLi2X1rzeZIC&q=build+his+faith+on+well-grounded+convictions&pg=PA108|title=Encountering the World of Islam|last=Swartley|first=Keith E.|date=2005-11-02|publisher=InterVarsity Press|isbn=978-0-8308-5644-2|language=en}}</ref> According to the Quran, {{transliteration|ar|Iman}} must be accompanied by righteous deeds and the two together are necessary for entry into [[Jannah|Paradise]].<ref>{{qref|95|6|b=y}}</ref> In the Hadith of Gabriel, {{transliteration|ar|Iman}} in addition to ''Islam'' and {{transliteration|ar|[[Ihsan]]}} form the three dimensions of the Islamic religion. [[Muhammad]] referred to the [[Iman (concept)#The Six Axioms of Faith|six axioms of faith]] in the [[Hadith of Gabriel]]: "{{transliteration|ar|Iman}} is that you believe in God and His Angels and His Books and His Messengers and the Hereafter and the good and evil fate [ordained by your God]."<ref>Muslim, Al-Jami' al-sahih, 22, (no. 93).</ref> The first five are mentioned together in the Qur'an.<ref>{{qref|2|285|b=y}}</ref> The Quran states that faith can grow with remembrance of God.<ref>{{qref|8|2|b=y}}</ref> The Qur'an also states that nothing in this world should be dearer to a true believer than faith.<ref>{{qref|9|24|b=y}}</ref> === Judaism === {{Main|Jewish principles of faith}} Judaism recognizes the positive value of {{transliteration|he|Emunah}}<ref name="chabad">{{cite web |url= https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1398519/jewish/Emunah.htm |title=What Is Emunah – Beyond Belief – Essentials |work= chabad.org |access-date= 14 October 2015 |archive-date= 17 April 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200417071602/https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/1398519/jewish/Emunah.htm |url-status= live }}</ref> (generally translated as "faith", or "trust in God") and the negative status of the {{transliteration|he|[[Epikoros|Apikorus]]}} (heretic), but faith is not as stressed or as central as it is in some other religions, especially [[Christianity]] or [[Islam]].<ref>{{cite book|first= Alan|last= Segal|title= Paul the Convert|year= 1990|pages= 128, 148, 175|publisher= Yale University Press |quote= "For a Jew, faith fundamentally precedes anything as well, but there is no need to distinguish between it and law. Jews perform the commandments because they are commanded by God, not because they guarantee justification. This arrangement assumes a prior faith commitment and prior act on God's part in justifying that never needs to be discussed"..."For Paul, giving up special claims to the performance of ceremonial Torah was part of his dissonance over leaving [[Phariseeism | Pharisiasism]] and entering an apocalyptic community based on faith".."The rabbi..."felt individuals maintain righteousness through observing God's commandments"..."Paul"..."through faith,"..."justification is something that God grants in response to faith and thought the rabbis would not disagree they did not see Torah and faith in opposition"|isbn= 0-300-04527-1}}</ref> Faith could be a necessary means for being a practicing religious Jew, but the emphasis is placed on true [[knowledge]], true [[Prophecy#Judaism|prophecy]], and practice rather than on faith itself. Very rarely does it relate to any teaching that must be believed.<ref name=Brueggemann2002 /> Judaism does not require one to explicitly identify God (a key tenet of [[Christian faith]], which is called [[Avodah Zarah]] (foreign worship) in Judaism, a minor form of [[idolatry |idol worship]], a big sin and strictly forbidden to Jews). Rather, in Judaism, one is to honor a (personal) idea of God, supported by the many principles quoted in the [[Talmud]] to define Judaism, mostly by what it is not. Thus there is no established formulation of [[Jewish principles of faith]] which are mandatory for all (observant) [[Jews]]. In the Jewish scriptures, trust in God – {{transliteration|he|Emunah}} – refers to how God acts toward his people and how they are to respond to him; it is rooted in the everlasting covenant established in the [[Torah]], notably<ref name=Brueggemann2002>{{Cite book |last=Brueggemann |first= Walter |year= 2002 |title= Reverberations of faith: a theological handbook of Old Testament themes |pages=76–78 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dBJQ71RIpdMC&q=faith+in+the+old+testament |isbn= 0-664-22231-5 |publisher= Westminster John Knox Press |location=Louisville, Ky.}}</ref> Deuteronomy 7:9: {{Blockquote|text= Know therefore that the LORD thy God, He is God; the faithful God, who keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations;<ref>{{cite book|title= The [[Torah]] – A Modern Commentary|publisher= Union of American Hebrew Congregations|location= N.Y.|year= 1981|author-first= W.G.|author-last= Plaut}}</ref>|sign=[[Tanakh]]|source={{Bibleref|Deuteronomy|7:9|JPS}}}} The specific tenets that compose required belief and their application to the times have been disputed throughout Jewish history. Today many, but not all, [[Orthodox Jew]]s have accepted [[Maimonides]]'s [[Jewish principles of faith#Maimonides' 13 principles of faith | Thirteen Principles of Belief]].<ref>{{multiref2 |1={{cite web|url= http://studentorgs.utexas.edu/cjso/Chabad/moshiach/techiya-masim.html|title= The 13 Principles and the Resurrection of the Dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060208182008/http://studentorgs.utexas.edu/cjso/Chabad/moshiach/techiya-masim.html |archive-date= 2006-02-08 |website= The Wolf Shall Lie With the Lamb|author= Rabbi Shmuel Boteach}} |2=For a history of this dispute see: {{cite book|last= Shapiro|first= Marc|title= The Limits of Orthodox Theology: Maimonides' Thirteen Principles Reappraised|series= Littman Library of Jewish Civilization}} }}</ref> A traditional example of {{transliteration|he|Emunah}} as seen in the Jewish annals is found in the person of [[Abraham]]. On several occasions, Abraham both accepts statements from God that seem impossible and offers obedient actions in response to direction from God to do things that seem implausible.<ref>{{bibleverse|Genesis|12–15}}</ref> <blockquote> The [[Talmud]] describes how a thief also believes in G‑d: On the brink of his forced entry, as he is about to risk his life—and the life of his victim—he cries out with all sincerity, "G‑d help me!" The thief has faith that there is a G‑d who hears his cries, yet it escapes him that this G‑d may be able to provide for him without requiring that he abrogate G‑d's will by stealing from others. For {{transliteration|he|emunah}} to affect him in this way he needs study and contemplation.<ref name="chabad" /></blockquote> === Sikhism === {{Main|Sikhism|Five Ks}} Faith is not a religious concept in Sikhism. However, the five Sikh symbols, known as Kakaars or [[Five Ks]] (in Punjabi known as {{transliteration|pa|pañj kakkē}} or {{transliteration|pa|pañj kakār}}), are sometimes referred to as the ''Five articles of Faith''. The articles include {{transliteration|pa|[[Kesh (Sikhism)|kēs]]}} (uncut hair), {{transliteration|pa|[[Kanga (Sikhism)|kaṅghā]]}} (small wooden comb), {{transliteration|pa|[[Kara (Sikhism)|kaṛā]]}} (circular steel or iron bracelet), {{transliteration|pa|[[kirpan|kirpān]]}} (sword/dagger), and {{transliteration|pa|[[kaccha|kacchera]]}} (special undergarment). Baptised [[Sikhs]] are bound to wear those five articles of faith, at all times, to save them from bad company and keep them close to God.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realsikhism.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1193703788&ucat=5|title=Sikhism: Five Articles of Faith|work=realsikhism.com|access-date=14 October 2015|archive-date=7 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007031508/http://www.realsikhism.com/index.php?subaction=showfull&id=1193703788&ucat=5}}</ref> === Baháʼí Faith === In the [[Baháʼí Faith]], faith is meant, first, as conscious knowledge, second, as the practice of good deeds,<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Bahá'í Community of Canada|url=https://www.bahai.ca/belief-and-learning-in-action/personal-transformation/#:~:text=%27Abdu%27l-Bah%C3%A1%20wrote,with%20our%20time%20and%20resources.|access-date=2022-02-22|website=www.bahai.ca|language=en|archive-date=2022-02-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222164338/https://www.bahai.ca/belief-and-learning-in-action/personal-transformation/#:~:text=%27Abdu%27l-Bah%C3%A1%20wrote,with%20our%20time%20and%20resources.|url-status=live}}</ref> and ultimately as the acceptance of the divine authority of the [[Manifestation of God (Baháʼí Faith)|Manifestations of God]].<ref name="Smith">{{cite book |last=Smith |first=P. |year=1999 |title=A Concise Encyclopedia of the Baháʼí Faith |publisher=Oneworld Publications |location=Oxford, UK |page=[https://archive.org/details/conciseencyclope0000smit/page/155 155] |isbn=1-85168-184-1 |url=https://archive.org/details/conciseencyclope0000smit/page/155 }}</ref> In the religion's view, faith and knowledge are both required for spiritual growth.<ref name="Smith" /> Faith involves more than outward obedience to this authority, but also must be based on a deep personal understanding of religious teachings.<ref name="Smith" /> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. 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