In an era marked by declining institutional trust, political polarization, and fraying social bonds, we find ourselves grappling with fundamental questions about what holds societies together. While economists point to markets, political scientists to institutions, and technologists to networks, there may be a more elemental force at work—one that predates all these modern constructs yet remains essential to their functioning: faith.
This exploration delves into faith not merely as a religious concept, but as the invisible architecture upon which all human cooperation is built. From the simple act of trusting that others will stop at red lights to the complex belief systems that unite millions in common purpose, faith operates as the silent engine of civilization.
Through examining various philosophical and theological perspectives—from Aquinas to contemporary social scientists—we’ll trace how this intangible quality transforms into the very tangible benefits of social cohesion, shared values, and collective flourishing.
What emerges is a startling thesis: that faith isn’t just one ingredient among many in the recipe for a functioning society, but rather the foundational element without which all other social goods cannot take root. In understanding this relationship, we may discover not only why some communities thrive while others fragment, but also what steps we might take to strengthen the social fabric in our own time.
What Is Faith? The Foundation Of Society
“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one…” – ‘The Whole Armor of God’ – Ephesians 6:16
Merriam Webster defines faith as: “firm belief in something for which there is no proof”; Britannica defines faith as: “belief in the existence of God”; according to Wikipedia, faith is: “confidence or trust” and can be applied to any object; finally, as stated by Thomas Aquinas, “Faith implies assent of the intellect to the which is believed”.
When, according to Thomas Aquinas: Augustus says that “faith is a virtue whereby we believe what we do not see”, and Damascene says that “faith is an assent without research”, and Dionysius says that “faith is the solid foundation of the believer, establishing him in the truth, and showing forth the truth in him”, these various definitions of faith all amount to the same as that presented in Hebrews 11:2, which says: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
One’s faith, expressed collectively, leads to the founding of group social virtues, as well as the establishing of shared values, norms, trust, and reciprocity – or, social capital, in short. Understanding that faith builds group virtues and social capital – those core requirements of a sustainable society – we can now logic that faith is also a core requirement of a sustainable society.
Understanding from the postulate above that faith is a core requirement of a sustainable society, and that faith leads to the founding of group social virtues and social capital, we can now reason that faith must come first amongst the requirements of a sustainable society. The core requirements of a sustainable society are faith, social virtues, and then social capital, in that order.
Then, from this theorem we can now make the following deduction: Without faith, a society has no foundation upon which to build.
Now, we finally understand the vital importance of faith – no faith, no society! Not surprisingly, “church attendance is the happiness equivalent of getting a college degree or more than doubling your income,” according to Robert Putnam in ‘Bowling Alone’. You never know, an act of faith might just change your life.
Final Thoughts
In our increasingly fragmented world, where trust in institutions wavers and social bonds seem ever more tenuous, the role of faith takes on renewed significance. Whether one approaches faith through a religious lens or views it more broadly as the bedrock of social trust, its function remains fundamentally the same: faith binds us together in shared purpose and mutual understanding.
The logic presented here – that faith begets social virtues, which in turn create social capital – offers a compelling framework for understanding why some communities thrive while others struggle. It suggests that the crisis of faith many societies face today may be more than a spiritual concern; it may be a civilizational one.
Yet this understanding also points toward hope. If faith truly serves as the foundation of society, then its cultivation – whether in houses of worship, community centers, or simply in our daily interactions with one another – becomes not just a personal choice but a civic duty. In choosing to believe in something greater than ourselves, in extending trust even when proof is absent, we participate in the very act of society-building.
The question for our time may not be whether we can afford to have faith, but whether we can afford not to.
Thanks for reading!