The Groundwork
In previous years, I was reluctant to write about this topic because it is the other subject, besides politics, that you are not supposed to discuss. But it is too important, and I hope you trust me enough to hear (read) me out. In my prior years’ posts, I realized that I had placed too much emphasis on the church and not enough on the foundational subject of faith.
For this message, faith is a belief in a higher power or God. Faith is an acknowledgement that there is more to our existence than we can perceive and requires a belief in something for which there is no proof. Some invest considerable effort attempting to prove God’s existence or nonexistence, but I will not.
Some nonbelievers assert that natural disasters and violent crimes are inconsistent with a benevolent God’s existence. Some explain them through the concepts of free will (found in many faiths) and a fallen world (a Christian concept). However, the powerful expressions of the victims may be most compelling.
How many times have you heard a flood victim who lost her house and narrowly escaped death praise God for delivering her from peril instead of blaming Him for the destructive waters? Likewise, many Holocaust survivors who lost their entire families and suffered unspeakable torture profess that God was the only thing they had and their only source of hope when everything else had been taken away from them.
Explained & Contrasted
During my year-long journey of attending services at 33 houses of worship of every variety, I learned that the common premise of faith was love – between us, God, and our neighbor. I heard that God loves us completely, and when we accept that love, it transforms us into lovers of all.
By comparison, religion is a system that frames one’s faith and instructs its practice, but it is not the faith itself. While religion may be God-ordained, it is practiced by humans and subject to our positive and negative characteristics, including misinterpretation.
Most consider religious codes of conduct to be burdensome do-good obligations and undue restrictions on pleasurable activity. Rather, the “thou shall and thou shall not” mandates inspire virtuous activity and protect us from our own devices. Honoring your parents and speaking truthfully is peace-giving, and avoiding adultery and jealousy is protection from self-harm.
Like oceanfront condominium developments that destroy nature’s beauty, man’s poor behavior undermines faith’s promise. Societies have used religion to justify wars and atrocities against their fellow man. Greed, crime, pastor idolatry, and every other human foible are present in religious groups, even though they should be encouraging the best in everyone and protecting everyone from the worst. Most crucially, however, these issues are not an indictment of faith but of how people practice it.
There is much more to say about religious communities, and I will attempt to summarize it in a future post, disguised as a shameless plug for my upcoming book.
Fundamentally
Is faith worth pursuing? Have you ever heard someone regretting becoming more faithful? Spiritually mature people full of all the meaningful things (love, peace, joy, etc.) inspire me.
Our obstacle is most likely not a lack of faith, but a resistance to pursuing it – a problem with religion. Yes, there are issues, but you can address them like those impeding your other endeavors. Difficulty, expense, staunch opponents, and bad weather do not stop you from obtaining that degree, job, or reaching the finish line.
Anyway, you need not start with religion. Begin by spending time with your higher power and considering how your faith might inform your life. If you listen, you will be guided to your next steps, whether that be literature, courses, meetings, or church services.
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Pursue your faith, and you will inevitably reap the benefits for you and those around you.
