Belief vs. Faith — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 1, 2023
Belief is acceptance that something exists or is true, especially without proof. Faith is trust or confidence in something/someone, often without empirical evidence.
Difference Between Belief and Faith
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Belief is an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists. Faith goes a step further, implying a strong trust or confidence in a concept or person.
Belief can be based on evidence or reason, whereas faith often requires a spiritual or emotional leap beyond the available evidence.
Beliefs are often considered to be held in the mind; faith is more a matter of the heart. Faith may include belief, but it also encompasses hope and trust.
A belief doesn't necessarily compel one to act, whereas faith, particularly in a religious sense, is associated with a call to action or adherence to a set of principles or doctrines.
Belief can be individual and varied; faith often connotes a collective, organized endorsement of a set of beliefs, as in a religious faith.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Definition
Conviction of the truth of some statement or the reality of some being or phenomenon.
Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
Basis
Can be based on evidence, reason, or understanding.
Often held despite a lack of evidence, rooted in spiritual conviction or loyalty.
Flexibility
Beliefs can change with new evidence or understanding.
Faith is often more constant, resilient to changing evidence.
Action
Holding a belief may not necessitate action.
Faith often implies commitment and action based on that trust.
Context
Broader in context, can be secular or religious.
Often associated with religious or spiritual contexts.
Compare with Definitions
Belief
An acceptance that something exists or is true.
The child’s belief in Santa is strong.
Faith
Firm belief in something for which there is no proof.
They kept their faith in a peaceful resolution.
Belief
Trust in the reliability or truth of an idea.
Her belief in democracy motivates her activism.
Faith
A system of religious belief.
The new law respects all faiths equally.
Belief
A mental acceptance of and conviction in the truth, actuality, or validity of something.
Their belief in the company's vision led to success.
Faith
Believing in something with strong conviction, despite lack of evidence.
She has faith that justice will prevail.
Belief
Something one accepts as true or real; a firmly held opinion.
His belief that the Earth is flat baffles his friends.
Faith
Faith, derived from Latin fides and Old French feid, is confidence or trust in a person, thing, or concept. In the context of religion, one can define faith as "belief in a god or in the doctrines or teachings of religion".
Belief
A conviction in the truth of a proposition.
His belief in climate change is unwavering.
Faith
Belief in God or in a set of religious doctrines.
Belief
A belief is an attitude that something is the case, or that some proposition about the world is true. In epistemology, philosophers use the term "belief" to refer to attitudes about the world which can be either true or false.
Faith
A set of religious doctrines; a body of dogma
Adhered to the Muslim faith.
Belief
The mental act, condition, or habit of placing trust or confidence in another
My belief in you is as strong as ever.
Faith
Often Faith(Christianity)Secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will viewed as a theological virtue.
Belief
Mental acceptance of and conviction in the truth, actuality, or validity of something
His explanation of what happened defies belief.
Faith
Confident or unquestioning belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
Belief
Something believed or accepted as true, especially a particular tenet or a body of tenets accepted by a group of persons.
Faith
Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance
Keeping faith with one's supporters.
Refused to break faith with his friends.
Belief
Mental acceptance of a claim as true.
It's my belief that the thief is somebody known to us.
Faith
A trust or confidence in the intentions or abilities of a person, object, or ideal from prior empirical evidence.
The faithfulness of Old Faithful gives us faith in it.
I have faith in the goodness of my fellow man.
You need to have faith in yourself, that you can overcome your shortcomings and become a good person.
Belief
Faith or trust in the reality of something; often based upon one's own reasoning, trust in a claim, desire of actuality, and/or evidence considered.
My belief is that there is a bear in the woods. Bill said he saw one.
Based on this data, it is our belief that X does not occur.
Faith
A conviction about abstractions, ideas, or beliefs, without empirical evidence, experience, or observation.
I have faith that my prayers will be answered.
I have faith in the healing power of crystals.
Belief
(countable) Something believed.
The ancient people have a belief in many deities.
Faith
A religious or spiritual belief system.
The Christian faith.
We seek justice for the Indo-European Folk Faith; what's wrong in our literature for that?
Belief
(uncountable) The quality or state of believing.
My belief that it will rain tomorrow is strong.
Faith
An obligation of loyalty or fidelity and the observance of such an obligation.
He acted in good faith to restore broken diplomatic ties after defeating the incumbent.
Belief
(uncountable) Religious faith.
She often said it was her belief that carried her through the hard times.
Faith
(obsolete) Credibility or truth.
Belief
(in the plural) One's religious or moral convictions.
I can't do that. It's against my beliefs.
Faith
(archaic) really, truly
Belief
Assent to a proposition or affirmation, or the acceptance of a fact, opinion, or assertion as real or true, without immediate personal knowledge; reliance upon word or testimony; partial or full assurance without positive knowledge or absolute certainty; persuasion; conviction; confidence; as, belief of a witness; the belief of our senses.
Belief admits of all degrees, from the slightest suspicion to the fullest assurance.
Faith
Belief; the assent of the mind to the truth of what is declared by another, resting solely and implicitly on his authority and veracity; reliance on testimony.
Belief
A persuasion of the truths of religion; faith.
No man can attain [to] belief by the bare contemplation of heaven and earth.
Faith
The assent of the mind to the statement or proposition of another, on the ground of the manifest truth of what he utters; firm and earnest belief, on probable evidence of any kind, especially in regard to important moral truth.
Faith, that is, fidelity, - the fealty of the finite will and understanding to the reason.
Belief
The thing believed; the object of belief.
Superstitious prophecies are not only the belief of fools, but the talk sometimes of wise men.
Faith
The belief in the historic truthfulness of the Scripture narrative, and the supernatural origin of its teachings, sometimes called historical and speculative faith.
Without faith it is impossible to please him [God].
The faith of the gospel is that emotion of the mind which is called "trust" or "confidence" exercised toward the moral character of God, and particularly of the Savior.
Faith is an affectionate, practical confidence in the testimony of God.
Belief
A tenet, or the body of tenets, held by the advocates of any class of views; doctrine; creed.
In the heat of persecution to which Christian belief was subject upon its first promulgation.
Faith
That which is believed on any subject, whether in science, politics, or religion; especially (Theol.), a system of religious belief of any kind; as, the Jewish or Mohammedan faith; the Christian faith; also, the creed or belief of a Christian society or church.
Which to believe of her,Must be a faith that reason without miracleCould never plant in me.
Now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.
Belief
Any cognitive content held as true
Faith
Fidelity to one's promises, or allegiance to duty, or to a person honored and beloved; loyalty.
Children in whom is no faith.
Whose failing, while her faith to me remains,I should conceal.
Belief
A vague idea in which some confidence is placed;
His impression of her was favorable
What are your feelings about the crisis?
It strengthened my belief in his sincerity
I had a feeling that she was lying
Faith
Word or honor pledged; promise given; fidelity; as, he violated his faith.
For you aloneI broke me faith with injured Palamon.
Faith
Credibility or truth.
The faith of the foregoing narrative.
Faith
By my faith; in truth; verily.
Faith
A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny;
He lost his faith but not his morality
Faith
Complete confidence in a person or plan etc;
He cherished the faith of a good woman
The doctor-patient relationship is based on trust
Faith
Institution to express belief in a divine power;
He was raised in the Baptist religion
A member of his own faith contradicted him
Faith
Loyalty or allegiance to a cause or a person;
Keep the faith
They broke faith with their investors
Faith
Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
Her faith in her doctor's advice is absolute.
Faith
Strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction.
His faith shapes his daily actions and thoughts.
Common Curiosities
Can beliefs be proven?
Some beliefs can be supported by evidence, while others cannot.
Can someone have faith without belief?
Generally, no; faith typically includes belief.
Are faith and belief mutually exclusive?
No, they can and often do overlap.
Is faith always religious?
While often associated with religion, faith can also refer to complete trust in secular contexts.
Can beliefs change?
Yes, beliefs can evolve with new information or insights.
Is faith a choice?
Faith can be seen as a choice, especially in a spiritual context.
Can you have faith in people?
Yes, having faith in people means trusting in their abilities or character.
What is a belief?
A belief is an acceptance that something is true or that something exists.
How is faith different from belief?
Faith is a deeper trust or confidence, often without the need for empirical evidence.
Do you need faith to have a belief?
Not necessarily; beliefs can be based solely on evidence or reasoning.
How do people come to their beliefs?
Through personal experiences, evidence, reasoning, culture, and education.
How does one practice their faith?
Through worship, rituals, and living according to one's religious beliefs.
Why is faith important in religion?
Faith is central to religion as it involves trust in the spiritual teachings and deities.
Does science require belief or faith?
Science requires belief based on empirical evidence, not faith.
What does losing faith mean?
It means to stop believing or trusting in something or someone.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Supervision vs. Inspection
Next Comparison
Typhoon vs. TyphonAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
