Is Faith a choice?

[_Stormy Waters]

In a letter from the Europe Area presidency to its stake presidents and bishops it gives suggestions on how to help members who are 'expressing doubts.' One of the suggestions they give is to "Emphasize that faith is a conscious choice that each must make."

Should faith be considered a conscious choice?

When I lost my faith in the LDS church it happened because of another problematic item I had discovered. I tried to shelf the item, but like the proverbial straw that broke the camels back trying to shelf this item caused the entire shelf to collapse under the strain and I realized that I no longer believed in the church. I think of my loss of faith as an involuntary reaction to the evidence I had been exposed to. I didn't make a choice to stop believing.

So what say ye? Is faith a choice?

[_Alter Idem]

"Emphasize that faith is a conscious choice that each must make."

I think we should consider the audience this letter was written to. If Church leaders had been writing for a general audience, they may have needed to clarify--maybe saying;

'Emphasize that to exercise faith is a conscious choice that each must make',

However, this letter was not meant for a general audience; It was written specifically to LDS leaders who would understand completely the concept of faith. hence no clarifications were needed. They know that Faith is a gift of god and individuals have agency to seek for this gift and to exercise it in our lives. The letter is encouraging leaders to help members understand this important aspect of Faith.

I have an older LDS Bible which includes a section called 'ready references' between the Old and New Testaments and there is a note added to the section on Faith. I think it explains clearly how Faith is viewed among believers. It says;

"Though it be within the reach of all who diligently strive to acquire it, faith is nevertheless a gift from God. As is fitting for such a priceless possession it is given to those only who show by their sincerity of purpose that they are worthy of it, and who give promise of abiding by its dictates.

Although called the first principle of the Gospel, faith is preceded by sincerity of disposition and humility of soul, whereby the word of God may bring conviction to the soul.

No compulsion is used in bringing men to a knowledge of the Gospel; yet as men open their hearts to the influences of righteousness the faith that leads to eternal life is given them of God."



I bolded the last portion to point out the 'choice' aspect of Faith. While it is a gift, a gift can be neglected, discounted and even rejected and must be accepted and acted upon in order to grow and develop.

[_Drifting]

When the Europe Area Presidency used the word 'Faith' they meant 'ignore what looks like the truth and believe what we tell you'.

[_Themis]

I bolded the last portion to point out the 'choice' aspect of Faith. While it is a gift, a gift can be neglected, discounted and even rejected and must be accepted and acted upon in order to grow and develop.

In what way is faith a gift from God? Faith to me is belief and action. It can also be defined in terms of trust.

[_Drifting]

I bolded the last portion to point out the 'choice' aspect of Faith. While it is a gift, a gift can be neglected, discounted and even rejected and must be accepted and acted upon in order to grow and develop.

In what way is faith a gift from God? Faith to me is belief and action. It can also be defined in terms of trust.

Faith is required when knowledge is either lacking or unwelcome...

[_Themis]

Faith is required when knowledge is either lacking or unwelcome...

That would be a blind faith, and one that is promoted all to often. Faith can be based on evidence. If I have evidence that buying a manual that explains how to build your own rocket works, then I can choose to have belief in that evidence and take action. Also from faith being about trust. I have faith in my parents based on a lot of evidence.

[_Drifting]

Faith is required when knowledge is either lacking or unwelcome...

That would be a blind faith, and one that is promoted all to often. Faith can be based on evidence. If I have evidence that buying a manual that explains how to build your own rocket works, then I can choose to have belief in that evidence and take action. Also from faith being about trust. I have faith in my parents based on a lot of evidence.

You are mistaking 'faith' with 'confidence' in my opinion.

[_just me]

It would be nice if it was cut and dry, black and white!

Real life is messier than that. To some extent it is a choice and to some extent it is not a choice.

I mean, I can't have faith in something I believe so strongly to be false and wrong. However, if I were on the fence I might be able to choose faith a little easier.

One can choose to ignore all evidence that pokes holes in their beliefs and thus maintain their faith.

There are sooo many variables.

[_Themis]

You are mistaking 'faith' with 'confidence' in my opinion.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/faith

[_Drifting]

It would be nice if it was cut and dry, black and white!

Racist!

Real life is messier than that. To some extent it is a choice and to some extent it is not a choice.

Ditherer!

I mean, I can't have faith in something I believe so strongly to be false and wrong. However, if I were on the fence I might be able to choose faith a little easier.

Fence sitter!

One can choose to ignore all evidence that pokes holes in their beliefs and thus maintain their faith.

Anti!

There are sooo many variables.

Variablist!