How Does Faith and Consensus Differ When it comes to Knowledge?

The difference between consensus and faith knowledge is a very debatable and discussion-oriented question. So, there can be a lot of beliefs and understandings of these terms and concepts. If you have read my previous article on knowledge, belief, and opinion, I’m sure you now have a clear understanding of all these.

Faith, on the one hand, can be considered a religious belief, but sometimes it is just a sense or form of belief so strong that it can make you strive for something not in easy reach. On the one hand, even consensus can be just an opinion, or it can also be a judgment or agreement that has been concluded. In this article, I’ll talk about both these to help you gain a clear vision.

Faith Knowledge and its Interpretations

So, when I talk about faith knowledge, how do we actually define it? Even if we break down the terms faith and knowledge, they can actually be contradictory. Faith is a belief-like concept, and knowledge is something more concrete, maybe backed by evidence.

In another sense, faith knowledge can also be seen as the acquired information from a faith that exists or what information or data you can retrieve or retain based on your beliefs.

For example, if we turn to Indian mythology, then it is a well-known fact that the Ramayana is a story; it is not a real-life happening that has been written.

It is a story that has been formulated to dictate what idealistic behavior is, to basically set standards for us so that we know what is right and wrong. Even above that, what is the most righteous behavior, and how does that need to be achieved in different situations?

So, we now know that god Rama followed a certain path or method in life, and we all know that to date, so much that it is actually ingrained in our brains. But this knowledge that resides in our brain has just coped out of our belief in the Ramayana.

It is not like a scientifically proven and written rule book but a mythological story. It is a story in which Hindus, or maybe other people, also believe, and they have faith in the plot and believe that if they follow the same, they will attain the best nirvana.

We interviewed Jake Thibault, PhD/JD, Professor of Philosophy at St. Joseph’s College in Maine, to learn about the differences between religious beliefs and their role in shaping the perception of reality. Here is what he said:

“Religious beliefs are emanations of divine revelation, bestowed upon us by divine providence. These beliefs, rooted in the sacred scriptures and traditions, serve as the cornerstone of our understanding of the divine, shaping our perceptions of reality with their immutable truths.

Religion is the virtue by which humans offer God the worship and service due to Him alone. There are false faiths or erroneous beliefs, but true faith is grounded in divine revelation and supported by reason. False beliefs lack divine authority and rational support.

Conversely, deeply held convictions are the fruits of human intellect and experience, shaped by individual and societal influences. While they may guide our moral compass and worldview, they lack the transcendent authority inherent in religious beliefs.

Thus, while both play roles in shaping perceptions of reality, it is the divine revelation that illuminates the path to ultimate truth and understanding.

In considering the interplay between consensus knowledge and faith knowledge in shaping moral frameworks, one must delve into the depths of the human soul.

Consensus knowledge, grounded in the collective wisdom of society and empirical observation, offers valuable insights into ethical norms and societal expectations.

However, it is faith knowledge, rooted in the eternal truths of the spirit and the divine, that truly illuminates the path to moral enlightenment. Without the transcendent, there is no Truth.

Faith transcends the limitations of empirical understanding, offering a profound connection to higher truths and moral principles that guide humanity toward its ultimate destiny.

While consensus knowledge provides practical guidelines for ethical conduct, it is faith knowledge that imbues our actions with purpose and meaning, elevating our moral frameworks to new heights of spiritual awareness and existential fulfillment.

I perceive the future relationship between consensus knowledge and faith knowledge to be one of mutual enrichment and harmony.

Consensus knowledge garnered through human reason and empirical observation, serves as a valuable foundation for understanding the natural world and societal dynamics.

However, it is faith knowledge, bestowed upon us through divine revelation, that illuminates the deeper truths of existence and provides guidance in matters of morality and spiritual fulfillment.

As we progress into the future, I envision a deepening integration of these two forms of knowledge, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of reality and a richer moral framework rooted in both reason and faith.

The divorce of faith and reason has only resulted in harm to both faith and reason.”

Consensus Knowledge and its Interpretations

Consensus knowledge also has varied meanings and understandings of the concept. So, before we actually understand the meaning of consensus knowledge, let me explain you the two terms: consensus and disagreement.

These terms are actually concepts that can define the process of knowledge-building or conclusion formation. The difference in these words is that the outcome from a disagreement form of situation can actually be robust, meaning robust knowledge.

The term robust knowledge implies the information that has been accepted widely or is globally accepted. This is some data that has been derived from the two very conflicting opinions and perspectives.

Coming next to consensus is a more easy and open process of knowledge development.

Unlike robust knowledge in consensus knowledge, there is no capping of opinion because there are not just two conflicting sides; there can be more, and you do not have to choose just one.

Secondly, there can be more, and all can be agreed upon; some parts of different sides can also be taken together and clubbed into one data set. This process leads to an extension of knowledge, and you get to know and understand more from different perspectives.

Due to the hindrance created by choosing one stance, you are deprived of the learning process. This involves not just data but a lot of other factors like human emotions. When you step into a long process, there is a lot of logical reasoning and development of human thinking. Due to a reasoning pattern present at each step, we also understand the thought processing of the two sides as each one puts up arguments in their favor.

The Icy Whiz team talked to Kimberly Wall, the Co-Founder of BibleKeeper, on this issue. Here is what she said:

“Religious beliefs typically come from bases—sacred texts or traditions—that are passed down through organized religions. These can be in the form of specific doctrines, teachings, or dogmas.

On the other hand, deeply held convictions are more of personal beliefs, values, and principles that, for them, are true. These convictions are often deeply ingrained and influence one’s worldview, and they may or may not be religious.

While religious beliefs have sacred texts or teachings to depend on, convictions are affected by different spheres of a person—social, cultural, and others.

Consensus knowledge is derived from years of studies and scientific inquiries which were subjected to critical examination and revision based on evidence. In short, it’s empirical known by many.

In contrast, faith knowledge is rooted in religious or spiritual beliefs, often based on revelation, tradition, or personal experience, and may not be subject to empirical verification.

For instance, based on documents, exorcisms are true and deemed proven by the Church, and that’s consensus knowledge as they’re experienced and documented.

Faith knowledge talks about the ‘so-called’ evil manifestations that come from the knowledge that the Church knows, but the so-called situations were not investigated, but only individually perceived.

If questioned, the person can give answers based on the individual’s faith, tradition, and personal experiences.

Simply put, some people know the bits about their religion, and some falsely misinterpret things that are somehow relevant to their religion. This causes chaos in moral frameworks as faith can sometimes be labeled as ‘non-scientific’ while there’s also evidence behind it.

The future relationship between religious beliefs and deeply held convictions is likely to be dynamic and multifaceted as people continue to display different behaviors.

A person, no matter how knowledgeable, cannot predict what is to come., but surely enough, factors such as globalization and technology can give a glimpse of what the future be like.”

The Difference Between the Two: How is Faith Knowledge Different from Consensus Knowledge?

Based on what Iexplained above, we can safely conclude that consensus knowledge and faith knowledge are two very different and unrelated concepts to some extent.

A comparison has been drawn to elaborate more on the ideology behind these concepts, meaning that they stand in completely different places according to some definitions. One should not mix up both and understand these two clearly.

So, the learning process is entirely different. How conclusions are arrived at and what the acceptability and acknowledgment of the two are really different. Faith can be linked more to religion, which is very distinguishing because, for consensus knowledge, there is no backing possible.

Each holds its own significance in history and even in the present time. Both can be linked to each other in some ways, but they’re dissimilar in most ways. Which is the more preferred one is hard to say because it depends upon which ideology is preferred by whom.

Linda Chavez, the CMO at Eazy House Sale, talked to the Icy Whiz team about this issue. Here is what she said:

“Religious beliefs and deeply held convictions are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct differences that shape our perceptions of reality. Religious beliefs are based on faith and are often tied to a specific religion or spiritual practice.

They are typically passed down through teachings and scriptures and can vary greatly among different cultures and societies. On the other hand, deeply held convictions refer to strong personal beliefs that are not necessarily tied to a specific religion or belief system.

They are often formed through personal experiences, values, and principles, and can also be influenced by societal norms and cultural values.

The origin of knowledge also plays a crucial role in how we view the validity and impact of religious beliefs versus deeply held convictions. Consensus knowledge, which is based on scientific evidence and research, is often seen as more reliable and valid in our modern society.

It is constantly tested and revised, allowing for progress and growth. Faith knowledge, on the other hand, is based on personal experiences and faith in a higher power or belief system.

While it may not have the same level of validity as consensus knowledge, it can still provide individuals with a strong moral framework and sense of purpose.”

Faith Knowledge Vs. Consensus Knowledge

In conclusion of the discussion between the two, I can say that several factors influence them. An aspect of religious guidance comes into play along with mythology. And with evidence-backed data, there is also a scientific angle.

Considering many other variables, it is a very open-ended comparison, and we can not really draw a line to define either of these. What we can say is each holds its own value and definition, and the acceptability is variable based on the ideologies that a person follows.

In an interview with the Icy Whiz team, Alex Cornici, Founder and CEO of The Traveler, explained the difference between religious beliefs and deeply held convictions. Here is what he had to say:

“Religious beliefs are typically rooted in the doctrines and teachings of a specific faith or religious tradition. They are usually shared within a community and involve practices, rituals, and a moral code derived from sacred texts or spiritual leaders.

These beliefs often provide a comprehensive worldview, including explanations of the universe’s origin, life’s purpose, and the afterlife.

Deeply held convictions, on the other hand, may or may not stem from religious teachings. They can arise from personal experiences, philosophical reasoning, cultural influences, or a moral intuition about right and wrong.

These convictions are strongly felt personal principles that guide an individual’s behavior and decision-making processes, even in the absence of a religious framework.

The difference between consensus knowledge (knowledge agreed upon by a collective, often based on empirical evidence and scientific inquiry) and faith knowledge (knowledge based on spiritual belief or divine revelation) significantly affects their validity and impact on moral frameworks. 

Consensus knowledge is validated through observation, experimentation, and peer review, making it subject to change as new evidence emerges. Faith knowledge is validated internally within individuals or communities through spiritual experiences and scriptural interpretation.

While consensus knowledge can influence changes in societal norms and laws, faith knowledge can provide a steadfast moral compass, comfort, and purpose.”

Guest Author: Saket Kumar

Last Updated on May 21, 2024 by Pragya