Originally Posted by
LSSBB
Starting from Websters, there are different meanings of Faith, so I believe the answer to the OP is Yes and No:
1a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty b (1) : fidelity to one's promises (2) : sincerity of intentions
2a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust
3: something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs e.g. "the Protestant faith"
Per definition 1b (2) there could be an argument that the ethical underpinnings of scientific organizations depend on a certain sincerity of intentions.
Definition 3 is where I believe many Creationists tend to accuse "Science" of being based in faith, in that there is frequently belief based on strong conviction among scientists, however they often blur that definition with the other two in making the accusation.
An individual scientist cannot personally validate all claims, even in the area in which s/he is a specialist. Believing in what is stated by recognized authorities is very common in sciences. This is unavoidable. Is this is harmful? I do not think so.
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