Faith vs. Fate — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 18, 2023
"Faith" refers to a strong belief or trust in something or someone, often without empirical evidence. "Fate," on the other hand, refers to the predetermined course of events in one's life or in a situation.
Difference Between Faith and Fate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Faith" is a noun that denotes a complete trust or confidence in someone or something, often involving spiritual beliefs or religion. It can be based on spiritual conviction rather than proof. "Fate," conversely, is also a noun but refers to the course of events considered to be beyond human control, usually predetermined. Fate often has implications of destiny or unavoidable outcomes. Both words touch on abstract concepts but differ in their essence; faith is subjective and a choice, while fate is considered objective and unavoidable.
In terms of grammar, both "faith" and "fate" are nouns, but their usage in sentences varies. "Faith" often appears in phrases like "faith in God," "good faith," or "a leap of faith," signifying trust or belief. "Fate," on the other hand, commonly appears in contexts like "twist of fate," "fated to be," or "sealed their fate," generally indicating predestination or uncontrollable events.
"Faith" frequently appears in religious contexts, serving as a cornerstone in many spiritual practices. It is often accompanied by rituals, prayers, or deeds meant to demonstrate or solidify one's faith. "Fate," however, is more commonly discussed in philosophical or existential terms, contemplating the level of control one has over life's events. It is less about action and more about acceptance of what is perceived to be predestined.
Finally, "faith" can change over time, be lost, or strengthened through personal experiences or deliberate choices. It often requires nurturing and practice. "Fate," however, is generally considered fixed, a series of events or outcomes that are destined to occur regardless of one's beliefs, actions, or choices. Although you can have faith in your fate, your fate itself is not subject to belief.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Noun
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Contexts
Religious, interpersonal, general trust
Philosophical, existential, predestined events
Requires Nurturing
Often, through practice or experience
Generally considered fixed and unchangeable
Subjectivity
Subjective, based on personal belief
Considered objective, predetermined
Associated Phrases
"Leap of faith," "faith in God"
"Twist of fate," "sealed their fate"
Compare with Definitions
Faith
Complete trust or confidence in someone or something.
She had faith that things would work out.
Fate
An event that occurs beyond one's control.
It was a cruel twist of fate.
Faith
Loyalty or fidelity to a person, group, or cause.
She pledged her faith to her country.
Fate
A force or principle believed to predetermine events.
Fate had other plans for him.
Faith
Optimistic assurance or hope.
He had faith that justice would prevail.
Fate
The end or final consequence of an event.
He met a terrible fate.
Faith
An accepted belief system or doctrine.
The Christian faith teaches love and forgiveness.
Fate
The supposed force, principle, or power that predetermines events
Fate did not favor his career.
Faith
A strong religious belief.
His faith in God guided him through hard times.
Fate
The inevitable events predestined by this force
It was her fate to marry a lout.
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".
Fate
A final result or consequence; an outcome
What was the fate of your project?.
Faith
Belief in God or in a set of religious doctrines.
Fate
An unfavorable outcome in life; doom or death
Suffered a fate worse than death.
The island where the explorer met his fate.
Faith
A set of religious doctrines; a body of dogma
Adhered to the Muslim faith.
Fate
Fates Greek & Roman Mythology The three goddesses, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, who control human destiny. Used with the.
Faith
Often Faith(Christianity)Secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will viewed as a theological virtue.
Fate
The presumed cause, force, principle, or divine will that predetermines events.
Faith
Confident or unquestioning belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
Fate
The effect, consequence, outcome, or inevitable events predetermined by this cause.
Faith
Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance
Keeping faith with one's supporters.
Refused to break faith with his friends.
Fate
An event or a situation which is inevitable in the fullness of time.
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.
Fate
Destiny; often with a connotation of death, ruin, misfortune, etc.
Accept your fate.
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.
Fate
(mythology) Fate (one of the goddesses said to control the destiny of human beings).
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?
Fate
(biochemistry) The products of a chemical reaction in their final form in the biosphere.
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.
Fate
(embryology) The mature endpoint of a region, group of cells or individual cell in an embryo, including all changes leading to that mature endpoint
Faith
(obsolete) Credibility or truth.
Fate
(transitive) To foreordain or predetermine, to make inevitable.
The oracle's prediction fated Oedipus to kill his father; not all his striving could change what would occur.
Faith
(archaic) really, truly
Fate
A fixed decree by which the order of things is prescribed; the immutable law of the universe; inevitable necessity; the force by which all existence is determined and conditioned.
Necessity and chanceApproach not me; and what I will is fate.
Beyond and above the Olympian gods lay the silent, brooding, everlasting fate of which victim and tyrant were alike the instruments.
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.
Fate
Appointed lot; allotted life; arranged or predetermined event; destiny; especially, the final lot; doom; ruin; death.
The great, th'important day, big with the fateOf Cato and of Rome.
Our wills and fates do so contrary runThat our devices still are overthrown.
The whizzing arrow sings,And bears thy fate, Antinous, on its wings.
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.
Fate
The element of chance in the affairs of life; the unforeseen and unestimated conitions considered as a force shaping events; fortune; esp., opposing circumstances against which it is useless to struggle; as, fate was, or the fates were, against him.
A brave man struggling in the storms of fate.
Sometimes an hour of Fate's serenest weather strikes through our changeful sky its coming beams.
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.
Fate
The three goddesses, Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos, sometimes called the Destinies, or Parcæwho were supposed to determine the course of human life. They are represented, one as holding the distaff, a second as spinning, and the third as cutting off the thread.
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.
Fate
An event (or a course of events) that will inevitably happen in the future
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.
Fate
The ultimate agency that predetermines the course of events (often personified as a woman);
We are helpless in the face of Destiny
Faith
Word or honor pledged; promise given; fidelity; as, he violated his faith.
For you aloneI broke me faith with injured Palamon.
Fate
Your overall circumstances or condition in life (including everything that happens to you);
Whatever my fortune may be
Deserved a better fate
Has a happy lot
The luck of the Irish
A victim of circumstances
Success that was her portion
Faith
Credibility or truth.
The faith of the foregoing narrative.
Fate
Decree or designate beforehand;
She was destined to become a great pianist
Faith
By my faith; in truth; verily.
Fate
The predetermined course of events in one's life.
He believed it was his fate to be a musician.
Faith
A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny;
He lost his faith but not his morality
Fate
Destiny or ultimate outcome.
She met her fate with courage.
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
Common Curiosities
What does Faith mean?
Faith refers to a strong belief or trust in someone or something.
How are Faith and Fate used in sentences?
Faith often appears in contexts of belief and trust, while fate is used in scenarios involving destiny.
Is Fate fixed?
Generally, fate is considered to be fixed or predestined.
Can you have Faith in Fate?
Yes, one can believe that whatever is fated to happen is for the best.
Is Faith always religious?
No, faith can refer to trust in people, systems, or future outcomes, not just religious belief.
Can you change your Fate?
In many belief systems, fate is considered predetermined and not subject to change.
Is Fate inevitable?
Fate, by definition, refers to events considered inevitable or predestined.
Is Fate always negative?
No, fate can result in positive, negative, or neutral outcomes.
Can Faith be quantified?
Faith is generally considered qualitative and personal, not easily measured.
What does Fate mean?
Fate refers to the predetermined course of events in one's life or in a situation.
Can Faith change over time?
Yes, faith can be strengthened, lost, or evolve over time.
Can Faith and Fate coexist?
Yes, one can have faith in a predetermined fate or destiny.
Can Faith exist without religion?
Yes, faith can exist in many contexts outside of religion.
Does everyone believe in Fate?
Belief in fate varies among individuals and cultures.
Is Faith rational?
Faith often exists without empirical evidence and is thus considered non-rational, though not necessarily irrational.
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Written 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.
