I see two big problems in this thread so far - both are vague or absent definitions. I think we should all agree on a good definition of these two terms before we continue our discussion.

The first word is "morals". If you define "morals" as a universal code of conduct, I would think most non-theists would say that they do not have morals. We do have personal opinions as to what is 'right' or 'wrong' to do in a given situation, but not in general (like thou shalt not kill - what if someone's intent on killing you?). I personally include these individual judgments of subjective 'right' and 'wrong' in my definition of morality. However,
Quote Originally Posted by Xaqaria View Post
What I have seen is patterns of behavior due at least in part to social stresses, which is not the same thing.
That seems to be directly opposing my view of what 'morals' are. So let's get this straight. Are they a universal code of which actions are right and which are wrong, or are they the ability to make decisions we consider right in any given situation?


The other word is of course 'faith'.
Quote Originally Posted by Taosaur View Post
It's a synonym of trust, not belief. It's trust in something one cannot know for certain, based on evidence that typically includes direct experience and sources one finds authoritative. Obviously you reject their evidence and reasoning, but it's present nonetheless.
I would argue that one can never know anything for 'certain', just beyond reasonable doubt - does that mean that everything is 'faith'? My definition of faith is also not "a belief held despite evidence of the contrary", because what if there is massively more evidence in favor of a belief?

I think faith is "A belief which is not backed by empirical evidence". In this light, personal experiences do count as evidence. However, assumptions and conjecture based on these experiences require faith. For example, the belief that "I was walking through the woods the other day and suddenly I felt a great joy, and a great clarity" is not faith-based. However, if one extends this experience and says "God touched me in the woods and now I see the light" is faith-based.

A trust in someone is also not 'faith' under my definition - it is a belief backed by your previous observations of their competence or success.

Can everyone agree on this definition of faith?