Upon reading W. K. Clifford’s; The Ethics of Belief, I was convinced of that which he had wrote about in the essay were true and of good application to the Christian, and those whom hold certain beliefs without testing them for authenticity. The Ethics of Belief is a proper title because it examines how the results of our beliefs if not examined properly can and do often lead to injustice not only to ourselves but to others as well.

Some of the main points in this essay were as follows; 1. We may believe anything, many people do, but why should we? 2. Do we have the right to believe what we believe? 3. How do we conclude that what we believe to be apparently true? (note; although not clearly broken to this particular points in essay format, I have taken the liberty to devise as it flowed from author to reader)

Clifford uses illustrations in this text that are relevant to the title of the essay. The illustration that I would liken to employ here (paraphrased) is that of a shipmaster sending an old vessel out on the open sea, full of passengers to their ultimate doom in the wake of a storm at sea. We must realize that the shipmaster was confident in the soundness of his ship, it has made many maiden voyages in the past that would have sunk a lesser ship. In fact the shipmaster was so confident in the ships ability that he did not even give a thought to inspect the ship for sea worthiness.

This is the same concept that all people should apply to what they believe and why. How many people do we know that hold certain beliefs that are detrimental or critical to their existence, purpose, and meaning of life. Have we only accepted what we have been indoctrinated with, have been persuaded passionately by those with personal agendas, or have we taken the critical evidence available and made rational decisions about what we believe and why we believe it?

“It is not only the leader of men, statesmen, philosophers, or poet, that owes this bounded duty to mankind. Every rustic who delivers in the village alehouse his slow infrequent sentences, may help to kill or keep alive the fatal superstitions which clog his race. Every hard-worked wife of an artisan may transmit to her children beliefs which shall knit society together, or rend it in pieces. No simplicity of mind, no obscurity of station, can escape the universal duty of questioning what we believe. -W.K. Clifford

How can we apply The Ethics of Belief, to the Christian faith.

Unfortunately many Christians today have checked their brain at the door, willing to only believe what is easy to digest, or my favorite; “I don’t know, I just have faith.” What is faith exactly? In order for it to be helpful it must relate to something, shouldn't it? To many Christians read the horoscope in the morning instead of their Bible. How did Abraham exercise faith? The knowledge of God that clearly told of Abraham of the truth of who God is, that is precisely what Abraham drew his faith from. In other words Abraham’s faith was grounded in the knowledge of who God is in other words he knew what was; TRUTH!

Christians take for granted the rich source of truth that is easily gained from reading their Bible; “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him,” If you abide in my Word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” -John 8:31-32. We must examine what we believe so that we may not send others on sinking ships. This knowledge will strengthen our faith, disciple our children in the knowledge of God, and enable us to be effective in the use of the Great Commission.