Orthodoxy, with the focus on the content of faith and proper worshipping, is extremely important for Christianity and Abrahamic religions, meanwhile orthopraxy, which means following the prescribed ritual procedure, is also crucial for a number of the religious systems. The fact of faith per se (including belief in supernatural) cannot be considered as intrinsic attribute of religion – that is a standpoint in modern religious studies. The concept of faith in a scientific discourse however has many meanings, being functionally and contextually conditioned. The purpose of the study is to answer the question whether it is possible to reveal a certain modality of faith which can be a universal component of any religion. The authors have come to a conclusion that such kind of faith means the obligation to act in accordance with what the subject of faith thinks to be the truth, which is not understood in gnoseological or logical meaning. One believes that something is thought to be true if his or her acts conform to it. Such kind of faith is an act, practical behavior. Faith treated this way is essentially the attribute of a subjective state-action. This state is essentially anti-mimetic; it does not lead to gnoseological “explanation” and does not need it at all. Thus, the faith modality characterizes all religions ranging from orthopraxy to orthodoxy. Faith is presented not as an idea or representation, but as a state in which it is possible only to abide. Faith can be considered not so much a concept but some kind of an existential manipulator. Main characteristic features of faith as an existential manipulator are as follows. 1. Trustworthiness. The subject abides in the faith as in “something true”. 2. The content of this being is developing and sustaining willingness for new being. Such acts are not aimed at a particular result, but oriented toward possibility of the future. 3. Faith requires constant renewal. 4. Event nature of faith; faith is characterized by absence of any guarantees. 5. Faith as an activity means changing the attitude towards oneself and reality.

Smirnov Aleksey Yevgenyevich, Doctor of Sciences (Philosophy), Associate Professor, Professor, Department of Philosophy and Methodology of Science, Irkutsk State University, 1, K. Marx st., Irkutsk, 664003, Russian Federation, tel.: 8 (3952)243995, e-mail: aesmir@mail.ru 

Kuibur Vladimir Ivanovich, Doctor of Sciences (Philosophy), Associate Professor, Head of Department of Philosophy and Methodology of Science, Irkutsk State University, 1, K. Marx st., Irkutsk, 664003, Russian Federation, tel.: 8 (3952)243995, e-mail: naukaitfk@mail.ru 

Abramov Yuriy Fedorovich, Doctor of Sciences (Philosophy), Professor, Department of Philosophy and Methodology of Science, Irkutsk State University, 1, K. Marx st., Irkutsk, 664003, Russian Federation, tel.: 8 (3952)243995, e-mail: philosophy@chair.isu.ru.

Smirnov A. E., Kuybar V. I., Abramov Yu. F. Between Orthopraxy and Orthodoxy: Faith as an Existential Factor. The Bulletin of Irkutsk State University. Series Political Science and Religion Studies. 2018, vol. 26, pp. 80-90. https://doi.org/10.26516/2073-3380.2018.26.80 (in Russian)

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