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If you have a faith, if you've some deep conviction, whether you're a Nazi or a Communist or what the hell else you are - then you can sacrifice yourself and others to your faith. But from the moment you've no faith - from that moment you live in a deep inner confusion - from then on you're exposed to what Strindberg calls 'the powers'.

Ingmar Bergman#40

FaithBeliefPowerConfusionConvictionExistentialSacrifice

About this quote

What does it mean?
Bergman claims faith allows sacrifice of self and others. He says lack of faith leads to confusion and exposure to unseen powers.
In plain terms
Faith gives purpose but can be dangerous; without it, you feel lost.
What can you take from it?
Faith provides certainty but carries risks.

Where it applies

  • facing moral choices
  • dealing with doubt
  • spiritual reflection

Putting it to work

  • weighing the costs of conviction
  • navigating doubt

Questions to consider

  • Is faith necessary for moral clarity?
  • What fills the void when faith is lost?

Another view

It implies no faith is inherently worse than harmful faith.

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