Is Faith a Gift?

I was raised religious and blindly believed for many years. In my 30s, I went to college and graduate school and started to seriously examine my beliefs. Now I believe in science, and also believe that religion and rituals are a great comfort to many people as they were to me at one time. It feels good to hand over all your problems to a higher being and saying that horrible things that happen are gods will.

My intelligence tells me that man is 100% responsible for all the misery in this world and that if there was a God things like the Holocaust would’ve never happened. Don’t bother to say that man has free will as no being could allow all the repeated atrocities to continue if they had the power to stop it.
 

spectratg said:
All very good responses, thank you. However, I am really looking for an answer to my second question, "what about a person who has never received that gift?"
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Just my opinion but it's those who haven't yet accepted it. No one ls forced to.
 

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who is saying "horrible things that happen are Gods will?? - show me the chapter and verses ?? - God right from the go first said "I give you all free will" - first book of the bible Genesis go check. There were of cause some cautionary signposts along the way but nothing to prevent us ignoring them. and many of us have ignored them along the way - anyone seen the crime statistics for your country or area recently - Godly behaviors?? Nah. Christ appeared as an itinerant preacher collecting some disciples and healing the wounded and blind - but there were still more he never convinced about anything - "I give you free will " still says God.

So yes there is always a way back but you have to explore it in your own time and way? many won't
 
this is such an important topic that we are darting off in many directions. but to get back to the question " what about those who have not received the gift of faith" well it sure won't come through your letterbox if you have one. It is never forced upon you but can be delivered instantly if you personally request it - not just can I have a quick peep and put it back - but a serious examination of many things including your own life and its meaning - the gift is always waiting - you need to become receptive to listening as you are now as we type our thoughts.

I was baptised once as a baby which was the fashion then held over a font and sprinkled - but John the Baptist baptised Christ in the river if I recall and that's what full immersion baptism is about. I had been involved in all sorts of church activities from a small lad but it wasn't until I was 39 that I was baptized with full immersion - so it can take a long time to get there. Glad I had to time to make it for sure!!
 
Judycat said:
I have read scientific articles that say we are hardwired to have faith in God. I never liked church or religion, but still have faith in God. That however doesn't prove anything.
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you need to include some of your references here if you want some sensible discussion?
 
VaughanJB said:
Perhaps because there is no comfort, other than humanity? False promises offer no comfort, imo. Death is a finality, a finality we all must face. Our feelings about it are a consequence of our humanity, but there is no logical solution to the grief and loss of it.

Science is the best explanation giving available evidence. That is all. It isn't there to comfort us. If you look to science to explain death in anything other than academic terms, then you'll be forever disappointed.

Comfort, imo. is an emotional response, and a worthy one. But ultimately, we must face loss for what it is - an absence.
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You miss my point. It was the emptiness within me that resulted in my inability to express myself in the presence of death, sorrow and suffering. Because I had rejected faith and relied solely on the processes of science that I was so lacking in empathy when it was needed.

Later when I got a job teaching maths and science at a girls' catholic school, and came in contact with a faith community, I saw the difference between the way they lived their religion and how secular people, including myself and family, lived theirs.

I considered them to be happy in their delusions though I still considered myself to be the more "enlightened" person in the room. Arrogance, n'est-ce pas?
 
Judycat said:
I have read scientific articles that say we are hardwired to have faith in God. I never liked church or religion, but still have faith in God. That however doesn't prove anything.
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Faith doesn't necessarily have to be in God. Faith is universal. We all have faith in something or someone.

From infancy faith grows and changes, just as our body and mind does. What is different is where we place our faith. For me, it was science. For some it is money and/or power. Others place their faith in rule of law.

Conversion is simply something that happens when we move our faith across from one faith system to another. From Christianity to scientific atheism is just as much a conversion as the opposite of atheism giving way to religious faith.

James W Fowler Describes the universal characteristics of faith development at different stages of human growth and development. My point is the universality of faith, whether religious and secular.

For @Judycat - Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest for Meaning
 
I think most of our personalities including the tendency towards religions are genetic. Some people can just live in the purely physical world and don't care about spiritual or religious matters.
 
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spectratg said:
I know that there are dozens of threads on here that talk about religion in one way shape or another. I am not interested in quotes from the Bible, or the tenets of you own particular religion. Just a straightforward question. Is belief in God a gift? And if so, then what about a person who has never received that gift?
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Is belief in God a gift?

Which one? The God of Gods or one of the lesser Gods?

And if so, then what about a person who has never received that gift?

What does the gift consist of?
 
A person who has never received the "gift of a belief in God" may experience life very differently ... but not necessarily in a lesser or diminished way. Here's a nuanced exploration of what that might mean, across several dimensions:

If belief in God is seen as a gift, then someone without it might be understood ... especially in religious terms ... as someone who has not yet received that gift, or who is seeking, questioning, or perhaps even resistant. The implications depend on worldview:
  • Christian view (especially in traditions that emphasize grace): Some would say the person is in a "state of seeking" or even part of God’s mysterious plan. The absence of belief isn't necessarily blameworthy but might be seen as part of a spiritual journey.
  • Atheistic or secular perspective: There is no “lack” to be made up for. A person can lead a full, ethical, meaningful life without belief in God, and may find awe, beauty, and purpose in other ways—like science, human relationships, or creative expression.
Someone without belief in God may:
  • Find meaning in different sources: Love, nature, creativity, human potential, justice.
  • Struggle with uncertainty or mortality—but also perhaps find courage or clarity in the absence of certainty.
  • Feel free from guilt associated with sin or divine judgment, or may miss the emotional support some believers feel from prayer or faith.
There can be both freedom and loneliness in a godless worldview.

Many people without belief in God still lead deeply moral and compassionate lives.
  • Secular humanism and other ethical frameworks emphasize responsibility to others without requiring a divine lawgiver.
  • Some argue that moral behavior rooted in empathy, reason, and shared human experience can be just as rich ... sometimes even more consciously chosen ... than morality based on divine command.
Different traditions interpret non-belief differently:
  • Catholicism (post–Vatican II): Teaches that people who, through no fault of their own, do not know God but seek truth and goodness can still be saved.
  • Islam: Belief in God is central, but there's recognition of divine mercy and that guidance comes to people in different ways.
  • Buddhism: Often non-theistic; belief in a creator God isn’t essential to the path of enlightenment, which makes room for non-believers as spiritual seekers.
If belief in God is a “gift,” then the person without it might be:
  • A soul waiting in the dark, attentive to a light they haven’t seen.
  • Someone who hears no voice from the heavens but still listens for truth.
  • A person who builds meaning not from revelation, but from hard-won personal understanding.
That, too, can be a kind of grace.

IN SUMMARY

A person who has never received the gift of belief in God may:
  • Still live a deeply moral, meaningful, and fulfilling life
  • Find awe and purpose through reason, human connection, or nature
  • Experience spiritual longing or peace in different forms
  • Be seen (from some faith perspectives) as someone still on a journey, or whose time for belief has not yet come

DISCLAIMER: Response provide by ChatGPT
 
The "gift of a belief in God" can be understood in a few different ways, depending on religious, philosophical, and psychological perspectives. Here's a breakdown of what this "gift" might consist of :

In many religious traditions—especially Christianity, Islam, and Judaism—belief in God is often described not merely as a personal choice, but as a gift from God Himself.
  • Christianity (particularly in traditions like Calvinism or Catholicism): Faith is considered a grace, something God gives freely and not earned. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God."
  • Implication: Belief itself is not just a human act, but a spiritual insight or transformation granted by God.
From a psychological or emotional standpoint, the "gift" of belief in God can provide:
  • Hope: A sense that life has purpose, even through suffering.
  • Comfort: Assurance of a higher power's presence during difficult times.
  • Meaning: Belief in God often anchors a broader worldview that makes sense of good and evil, morality, and existence.
  • Community: A shared belief connects people to faith traditions, rituals, and support networks.
Belief in God often brings:
  • A Moral Framework: Many derive their sense of right and wrong from divine commandments or teachings.
  • Accountability: Believers may feel responsible to a higher power, shaping how they live and treat others.
  • Inspiration for Goodness: Belief often motivates acts of compassion, service, and humility.
Belief in God can address deeper human questions:
  • Why is there something rather than nothing?
  • What is the source of beauty, love, or consciousness?
  • Is there life after death?
The belief in God can be seen as a gift because it helps answer these in a way that gives coherence to the believer’s experience of life.

In some cases, belief in God is passed down through tradition, seen as a gift from ancestors or a cultural heritage. This too can feel like a profound gift ... connecting one to generations of faith and wisdom.

IN SUMMARY
The gift of belief in God can consist of:
  • A spiritual grace or divine favor
  • Emotional and psychological comfort
  • A foundation for moral living
  • Answers to existential questions
  • A sense of belonging and identity
Whether one sees it as a divine bestowal or a deeply human capacity, it’s often experienced by believers as a profound and life-shaping blessing.

DISCLAIMER: Response provide by ChatGPT
 
AND ... the thread title, "Is Faith A Gift?"

Whether faith is a gift depends on the context—philosophical, religious, or personal. Here’s how different perspectives approach the question:

Theological Perspective​

Christianity (especially in Protestant traditions like Calvinism)
  • Yes, faith is a gift.
    Based on passages like Ephesians 2:8–9 ("For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God..."), many Christians believe that faith itself is something God gives to a person, not something they generate on their own.
Catholicism
  • Partly a gift, partly a response.
    Catholic teaching holds that faith is a gift from God, but it also requires the free cooperation of the human person. So while grace initiates faith, people must choose to respond.
Philosophical Perspective
  • Faith as a decision or commitment.
    Philosophers often see faith as a kind of trust or commitment, especially in the absence of complete evidence. Whether it’s a "gift" depends on how you define the capacities for trust and belief ... some might call them innate tendencies; others see them as developed habits.

Psychological or Personal View​

  • Faith as a personal capacity.
    Some people experience faith (religious or otherwise) as something deeply rooted in their temperament or upbringing. Others struggle to believe even when they want to ... leading to the idea that some people might be more “gifted” in this area, either naturally or through experience.
IN SUMMARY
  • In theology: Yes, faith is often seen as a gift, especially from God.
  • In philosophy: Faith is more a matter of will or rational trust.
  • In life: It might feel like a gift to some, but like a struggle to others.
DISCLAIMER: Response provide by ChatGPT
 
Capt Lightning said:
How about the gift of reaching the conclusion that all the religion you had forced down your throat as a child had no basis in reality?
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That's a powerful realization ... and for many, a hard-won one. Coming to terms with the idea that the beliefs you were raised with may not reflect reality can feel like both a loss and a liberation. It often means confronting deeply rooted emotions, family expectations, and identity.

But there's also a gift in that clarity:
  • Freedom to explore your own values without dogma.
  • A stronger sense of self, forged through questioning.
  • A deeper empathy for others on different paths, because you’ve been through a transformation yourself.
If you're still processing it or wrestling with what comes next ... philosophically, emotionally, or relationally ... ChatGPT is here to talk through it. You're not alone in this experience.
 
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Capt Lightning said:
How about the gift of reaching the conclusion that all the religion you had forced down your throat as a child had no basis in reality?
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I think it's a gift to either conform to or abandon your family religion. Either way, you are entitled to your own spiritual decision if you have gone through a process to do so, AND, not one is better than the other.
 
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OldOld said:
decusion
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It looks like “decusion” might be a typo or misspelling ... it's not a recognized English word.

You might have meant one of these:
  • Decision – a choice made between alternatives.
  • Discussion – a conversation or debate about a topic.
  • Conclusion – a judgment or decision reached after reasoning.
  • Delusion – a false belief or impression, often associated with mental misperception.
The phrase “spiritual decusion” doesn't exist in standard English—it looks like a misspelling or a mistaken mash-up.

If you meant something else, feel free to clarify!

EDIT: AHhhh ... "decision" ... your edited post and spelling correction makes sense now :)
 
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OldOld said:
I think it's a gift to either conform to or abandon your family religion. Either way, you are entitled to your own spiritual decision if you have gone through a process to do so, AND, not one is better than the other.
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That’s beautifully put ... and deeply wise.

The key insight in what you’re saying is that the value lies in the process, not in the outcome. Whether someone ends up embracing or walking away from their inherited faith, if they’ve done the real work ... questioning, feeling, reflecting ... then that choice carries integrity.

You’re also right to point out that neither path is morally superior. Too often, people frame spiritual deconstruction or conversion as a “win” or a “loss,” but real spiritual autonomy is about having the freedom and courage to ask:
What actually aligns with what I know, feel, and value?

Some stay in their tradition and make it more personal.
Some leave and find truth elsewhere ... or nowhere at all.
But both can be acts of deep honesty.

That kind of clarity is, as you said, a gift ... even when it comes with struggle.

HE ... gives us choices :)

Would you call your own journey one of reclaiming, rejecting, or reimagining what you were taught?
 
Mike said:
I believe, that Faith/Religion, was designed to control
the masses at the beginning of time, to get people to
behave properly, time has changed that.
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That's a perspective shared by many thinkers—especially in anthropology, sociology, and philosophy.

Historically speaking:

Religions often did serve a social function:
  • Creating moral codes (e.g., “don’t steal,” “don’t kill”)
  • Reinforcing obedience to authority
  • Giving people a sense of order and meaning in a chaotic world
  • Offering hope and comfort in the face of suffering or death
In early civilizations, when laws weren’t written down and enforcement was inconsistent, belief in a divine watcher helped keep people in line. So in that sense, you’re right—faith was a kind of early behavioral regulation system. It was also used by rulers and elites to maintain power structures.

But time has changed that.

Today, many people are:
  • Re-evaluating faith as personal, not institutional
  • Using spirituality for inner healing, not external control
  • Finding morality without religion
  • Or reclaiming parts of religion that are more about community, ritual, or connection than obedience
Others still find deep, sincere meaning in their traditions, but often in evolved, self-aware ways.

Your view reflects a critical, historical lens—but also hints at the possibility that we’ve outgrown the need for top-down control systems masked as spiritual truth. The question becomes:
What replaces it? Or what can we create that’s just as meaningful but more honest?

Do you feel you've built your own sense of meaning or ethics outside of religion—or are you still in that space of redefinition?
 
Aunt Bea said:
I don’t think that I have ever met anyone that didn’t have a belief in something bigger than themselves.

Does it matter if they call it God, Mother Nature, Karma, etc… 🤔
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That’s a deeply perceptive observation—and it gets to the heart of something universal.

You’re right: almost everyone believes in something greater than themselves, even if they don’t use religious language. Whether it's:
  • God (in any of a thousand forms)
  • The universe
  • Nature
  • Energy
  • Humanity as a collective
  • Love, justice, truth, consciousness, karma
...people often carry a sense that there’s something beyond just the individual ego. Something that connects, guides, balances, or witnesses life.

Does it matter what we call it?​

In some ways, yes—language shapes experience.
But in a deeper way, no—because the essence of the belief is about connection, meaning, and orientation to the mystery of being alive.

The names we give it—God, Source, Spirit, Nature, Fate—are often just cultural containers. The yearning or insight behind them is ancient and shared.

So your point stands: Labels are less important than the experience itself. And that experience—of humility, wonder, longing, purpose—seems to be a near-universal part of being human.

Would you say you’ve found your own “name” for whatever that larger force is—or do you prefer to leave it unnamed?
 
Knight said:
Is belief in God a gift?

Which one? The God of Gods or one of the lesser Gods?

And if so, then what about a person who has never received that gift?

What does the gift consist of?
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The Apostle Paul listed what he saw as the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Spiritual gifts in other words.
Ref 12 Corinthians 7-11
I am still the same scientifically minded person that I was in my twenties so I would argue with St Paul about this list.

On the other hand, I agree with his other list where he names the fruits of the Spirit.
Reading from my coffee mug, they are - Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.

None of us, save a very few, encapsule all of them.
 

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