Understanding the Distinction Between Faith in Medium and Divine Belief
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Chapter 1: The Nature of Faith
Faith is a complex topic that can take many forms. While I don't identify as religious anymore, I once fervently believed in God and often told others they were living in sin unless they accepted Jesus as their savior. Unsurprisingly, this approach didn’t win me many friends. However, my past experience allows me to comment on the nature of faith itself.
Faith, by its very essence, is unwavering, often persisting even in the face of contradictory evidence. For instance, many Rastafarians believe that their founder, Emperor Haile Selassie I, is a divine figure. According to Britannica, "Many (though not all) Rastas believe that the Ethiopian emperor, His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I, crowned in 1930, is the Second Coming of Christ who returned to redeem all Black people." This belief can be likened to a Renaissance monarch claiming divine authority, a classic example of the divine right of kings. Such beliefs demonstrate an extreme form of blind faith in concepts that may not hold any basis in reality.
In contrast, there exists another type of faith that is more grounded and pragmatic. Betting on sports is a popular activity where individuals analyze teams and players before placing their bets. This form of faith is rooted in research and understanding, recognizing that outcomes are not guaranteed. When a bet doesn’t pan out, individuals can accept the loss, while those with blind faith may struggle to cope with negative outcomes.
Section 1.1: The Faith Beads Metaphor
In the realm of science, there’s a similar kind of faith represented by the "Faith Beads on a Wire" metaphor I encountered in a scientific article years ago. Imagine a wire suspended with one end marked as zero and the other as one. When faced with a new concept, a thinker is encouraged to place a bead on this wire. A strong belief in a theory, such as quantum mechanics, may lead one to position the bead closer to 0.9, while skepticism about something like dowsing might place it nearer to 0.1.
It's crucial to position the bead correctly. A bead placed at zero indicates a complete dismissal of the concept, while one at one suggests an unshakeable belief that may hinder open-mindedness. As we gather more evidence, we should adjust our beads accordingly, but it’s essential never to let them slip off the wire entirely.
At present, my faith in Medium has risen to approximately 0.95, up from 0.8 when I began my journey here about eight months ago. This increase reflects my growing confidence in the platform as I invest time and effort into my writing. My initial earnings were modest, but I recently surpassed $2 for the first time, and I am now seeing consistent growth.
Video Description: This video discusses how faith serves as a medium of exchange, with a focus on investing belief in God’s ability to manifest success.
Having faith in Medium is not without foundation. The platform boasts a substantial readership, all paying a subscription fee for quality content that informs, educates, and inspires. As a writer, my responsibility is to adhere to best practices—using appropriate tags, engaging with fellow writers, and providing useful links. Occasionally, I create my own visuals, such as the illustration of the Faith Beads on a Wire, designed using Canva.
Section 1.2: Comparing Grounded Beliefs
When we compare my informed belief in Medium to the far-fetched notion of little green men from Mars, the difference becomes clear. There’s no tangible evidence for such beings; our rover hasn’t captured any footage of them. Therefore, our belief in them should rest around 0.05. It’s important not to place this bead at zero, as it would imply a complete dismissal of the possibility.
If you have any "Faith Beads" that have slipped off your wire, consider working to reposition them. It may require effort, but it's certainly achievable.
Video Description: This video contrasts supernatural beliefs with superstitious faith, exploring how understanding shapes our convictions.