Faith vs Religion: Definition?

I just finished the initiate program, and something brought out my thoughts on this question (see topic). I know the definition that the ToJO posts on the general pages, and reference.com, Webster's dictionary, Mirriam-Webster's dictionary have some fine definitions. But, I hear the terms used as synonyms and it "[XXXX]es me off to no end!" (~ David Lo Pan, Big Trouble in Little China)

I see FAITH as: your personal convictions (whether that's a deity / deities, personal moral code, or just your agreement to share your place with the Universe).

I see RELIGION as the practices themselves (rituals, meetings, services, and other public expression =OF= faith).

Faith is the personal; religion is the community. (This exempts religions like Buddhism, which is a personal-practice religion; most monks will tell you "there's no such thing as a 'practicing' Buddhist.")

Am I wrong for thinking that these are completely separate things, or, are they (in fact) the same thing?

I invite your opinions; they shall guide me. I hope to see some of the "higher ups" contribute an opinion as well; everyone would benefit from their words.

I acknowledge the clear difference, but not a difference in the sense that they are utterly separate, but that one is an extension of the other. Faith is an aspect used in religion, sometimes like the "battery" of the religion's beliefs. While the battery is a separate thing from what it is powering, it is still integrated into it, and therefore, commonly identified along with it. Though I'm still not completely clear on that. It's a good topic to think about though.

jimcode3 wrote:
I invite your opinions; they shall guide me. I hope to see some of the "higher ups" contribute an opinion as well; everyone would benefit from their words.

Just because they're higher up does not mean they are any more "wiser" than anyone else or in any way more capable of giving a valid opinion... (before anyone becomes pedantic...I'm not saying that's what he's saying...just saying what I am saying.)

Anyway to me personally they're the same thing... some people don't like calling Jediism a religion because of the negative attachment to it...but that's life! There are some that don't like to call Science...science and instead call it witchcraft...whichever terminology works best for you...

Chocolate is differnt from peanut butter but they as so much better together.:

Who can separate his faith from his actions, or his belief from his occupations?

They are obviously very closely related but I always looked at religion as a formalized doctrine, specific practices and standard beliefs that constitutes the backbone of a religious teaching.

Faith, on the other hand, is what we believe simply because it feels right and natural to us instead of being told that it is so by someone or something else. At least that's my distinction of the two.

I guess I see faith as a specific type of belief, and religion anything incorporating faith which is done religiously (devoted regular practice), and it need not be public in my interpretation. Faith does not have to be metaphysical but if it underpins a religious activity then it seems to need to be understood as distinct from truth IMO so not to develop a bad habit of mixing faith and truth - perhaps it is its persistence which separates it from if there are other types of belief!

I see this from a different perspective...


My religion is my Faith. What I believe in, what I have Faith in, is the religion of Phortis Nespin. I cannot have a religion if there is nothing that I believe in.

Additional thoughts:

Believing in nothing is not a Faith, Not having a religion means not having Faith in anything.

TO ME!!!

Adder wrote: ... and it need not be public in my interpretation.

Just to clarify, I didn't truly mean that "it has to be publicly seen or publicly performed." I meant that religion [again, to me] is the outward action (that others could see); faith is the inner directive. A person who has a private prayer altar in their home is counted within the "outward."

... or, did I just confuse the issue more? :blush:

jimcode3 wrote: ... or, did I just confuse the issue more? :blush:

Nope, thanks for clarifying. I love reading other peoples ideas/beliefs and thinking about my own - so thanks for asking!!