Faith and DoubtFaith and Doubt

For we live by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7For we live by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7

HRE 1O1HRE 1O1

Unit 1: Call to JourneyUnit 1: Call to Journey

Prayer of St. Francis of AssisiPrayer of St. Francis of Assisi Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where

there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.in dying that we are born again to eternal life.

AmenAmen

Religion and FaithReligion and Faith What is religion?What is religion?

– A A religionreligion is an organized  is an organized collection of beliefs, cultural collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and world systems, and world views that relate humanity to views that relate humanity to an order of existence an order of existence

What is faith?What is faith?– FaithFaith is confidence or trust in  is confidence or trust in

a person, thing, deity (God), a person, thing, deity (God), view, or in the doctrines or view, or in the doctrines or teachings of a religion teachings of a religion

Religion in CanadaReligion in Canada

Religion in CanadaReligion in Canada(2001 Census) (2001 Census) http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/demo30b-eng.htmhttp://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/demo30b-eng.htm

Are Canadians less religious?Are Canadians less religious?http://www41.statcan.gc.ca/2006/0075/ceb0075_004-eng.htmhttp://www41.statcan.gc.ca/2006/0075/ceb0075_004-eng.htm

What about faith?What about faith?

Do you know what believing is? Do you know what believing is? How many of you believe you will have dinner How many of you believe you will have dinner

today?today? Who will fix dinner for you? Who will fix dinner for you? So, you believe that _____ will fix your dinner So, you believe that _____ will fix your dinner

today. You believe this because ______ has done today. You believe this because ______ has done so in the past over and over again. so in the past over and over again.

Faith is believing in something you can’t Faith is believing in something you can’t necessarily prove.necessarily prove.

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen. Hebrews 11:1 of things unseen. Hebrews 11:1

The Bible says that Faith is given to us by God. But it is The Bible says that Faith is given to us by God. But it is something you may have to practice for it to feel natural something you may have to practice for it to feel natural (like writing your name in cursive, or playing an (like writing your name in cursive, or playing an instrument.)instrument.)

God loves us and He can do all things. This means that God loves us and He can do all things. This means that God is always able to take care of us. So, we can trust God is always able to take care of us. So, we can trust God. God.

When we go through our days trusting God and knowing When we go through our days trusting God and knowing He will help take care of us, that is living in faith. He will help take care of us, that is living in faith.

Jesus told His disciples to have faith (or to believe in) God. Jesus told His disciples to have faith (or to believe in) God. When we live in Faith, we are blessed. When we live in Faith, we are blessed.

Believing What Can’t Be ProvedBelieving What Can’t Be Proved

How can we scientifically prove God’s How can we scientifically prove God’s existence? existence?

We can’t! We must learn to accept God as a We can’t! We must learn to accept God as a mysterymystery

Why? Because the very nature of God is Why? Because the very nature of God is beyond scientific. Also, God exists outside beyond scientific. Also, God exists outside of time, while we are bound by time.of time, while we are bound by time.

The only “proof” we have is that the universe The only “proof” we have is that the universe does not contain its own beginning and end. does not contain its own beginning and end.

Believing What Can’t Be ProvedBelieving What Can’t Be Proved

God is the alpha and God is the alpha and the omega, the the omega, the beginning and the end, beginning and the end, the one from whom all the one from whom all things come and to things come and to whom all things go. whom all things go.

– – Revelation 1:8; 22:13Revelation 1:8; 22:13

Faith makes you Healthy!Faith makes you Healthy!

Studies have proven that those who believe Studies have proven that those who believe in God not only live a healthier life but also in God not only live a healthier life but also live longer (up to 14 years more)live longer (up to 14 years more)

For people living with an illness, faith and For people living with an illness, faith and religion also demonstrate positive effectsreligion also demonstrate positive effects

What are some mental health What are some mental health benefits to faith?benefits to faith?

Sense of well-being and happinessSense of well-being and happiness Life satisfactionLife satisfaction Hope and optimismHope and optimism Purpose and meaning in lifePurpose and meaning in life Higher self-esteemHigher self-esteem Better coping with loss/deathBetter coping with loss/death Greater social support and less lonelinessGreater social support and less loneliness Less anxietyLess anxiety Lower rates of alcohol and drug abuseLower rates of alcohol and drug abuse

Where there is faith, there is love;Where there is faith, there is love;Where there is love, there is peace;Where there is love, there is peace;Where there is peace, there is God;Where there is peace, there is God;And where there is God; there is no need.And where there is God; there is no need.

Leo TolstoyLeo Tolstoy