If the Opposite of Faith is Not Science, What is It?

Is it just me, or is there a pervasive idea that faith and science (or reason) are opposites?

I find that extremely odd, though. I’m a person of faith. And I’m also a person of science. And, I should hope, of reason. And I am definitely a sceptic.

I don’t feel any significant conflict in all of that. And although I can see why people portray the two as mutually exclusive, I consider that a false dichotomy. (Not to mention that it’s slightly irritating when people uncritically assume that the mere fact that one is a person of faith says something about one’s IQ.)

The apparent conflict has always been there among people of both camps, but I’m seeing a lot more of it of late.

So over the next few posts (and in between other posts, I expect), I’ll be exploring questions surrounding the subject of faith, reason and scepticism, and how we know what we know. The implications, I assure you, will prove intensely practical.

But to kick things off, here’s a thought.

The opposite of faith is not reason, or science, or even (as I understand it) scepticism or doubt.

I believe the opposite of faith is unbelief.

Do you agree? Why or why not?

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