Vjera — između nade i iracionalnog subjektiviteta

Abstract

There is no difference between the terms religion and faith in our encyclopaedias, glossaries and sociological literature. The headword faith, is usually accompanied by reference to the entry religion, and vice versa. The identification of the words »faith« and »religion« is a phenomenon present both in sociological treatises and in everyday use. Since the term, is used in religious systems the attitude of some institutional religions towards the understanding of the difference between »faith« and »religion« must not be neglected. The term »faith« is used primarily in its religious meaning, but it has also been accepted in secular use, because also for secular structures a religious - faithful structure consciusness can be characteristic as an irrational way of thought towards authority based on faith, not on facts. Faith is based on attitude, not on observation or evidence. It belongs to the sphere of the human choice. Neither objective criteria nor scientific foundations are essential to faith. Religious faith can only be irrational subjectivity. Institutionalized religion stands forth as a defender of faith, gives definitions and explanations, decides on the membership of the religious community. The foundations of the Christian understanding of faith were strongly shattered by empiricism, enlightenment and German idealism. The greatest blow both theoretical and practical, to faith was exercised by the thoughts of Marx and Engels and their dynamic understanding of nature and society. Instead of uncritically accepting suppositions of the world and persons as supernatural phenomena, marxism promotes a positive afirmation of man, society and work, i. e. instead of a religious faith practical humanism is at work.