I. Faith
Faith is a complex matter. Faith brings joy to people’s lives as well as hardship. Faith inspires and also deceives. People have died for their faith. Many people have killed because of their faith. Through faith many dogmatic disputes are put to rest, and many more are started.
God gives humans a lot of freedom to express their faith. In faith we pronounce the wrath of God and display His love. If funneled correctly our faith is a testimony to others. Faith is at best a powerful tool. Atheists and Agnostics are such in part because of displays of faith misdirected. Rabbis, Imams and Priests find vocation because of their faith.
Like our cultural identity many of us find our faith in our surroundings and upbringing. Are we responsible for the tradition we adhere to? Yes and no
Diversity is important. It leads to understanding and appreciation.
For example
I enjoy reading the mystical writings found in Eastern Christianity; their explanations on issues of daily living are especially helpful
Rabbinical Judaism offers a lot of insight and analysis. As pure religion goes it’s the best out of the three monotheist religions
Islamic poetry is beautiful. Yes the Quran like the Christian bible makes doctrinal assertions, but it has a lot of beauty and reflection
It is upsetting when religious people project certainty about religions they’ve never studied or researched. Ignorance is especially dangerous in matters of faith. A fervent person could end up being a witness against their own faith instead of a magnet to it.
II. Private Reflections
Recently my own faith has been challenged. In the last three years I’ve experienced family deaths, financial failures, health issues, physical transformation, and love loss. I’m still a man of faith, but just barely.
If every person is given a measure of faith where is mine. I suppose this is my desert period. St. Theresa of Calcutta found meaning in suffering, but I’m not her.
Pius Muslims are transformed by suffering which can be described as the denying of their own desires (inner Jihad) to follow God, but I’m not them.
I am profoundly grateful for people of faith regardless of their religion. Great faith is a gift from God
But as for me of little faith, I’m always skeptical. I think it’s how I’m wired. I’m always asking questions. Of course I have core beliefs. I am now a catholic, was previously a protestant minister.
I rejected fundamentalism, it was full of wrath, but lacked love and intellectual curiosity.
Catholicism offers a feeling of connection, that even after death we are still connected to one another. But its arguments lead me to it, not its people. Many parishioners lack the people skills and enthusiasm found in some Pentecostal and African American churches.
I’m hopeful that the Charismatic Renewal and Eastern Christian mystical writings will find there way to the Latin rite
III. Concluding Thoughts
My thoughts tend to be random since my stroke. Just wanted to add to the discourse while I am able. The Fullness of your faith is revealed in your words and actions. Occasionally it is better to understand than be understood.
Faith is a complex matter. Faith brings joy to people’s lives as well as hardship. Faith inspires and also deceives. People have died for their faith. Many people have killed because of their faith. Through faith many dogmatic disputes are put to rest, and many more are started.
God gives humans a lot of freedom to express their faith. In faith we pronounce the wrath of God and display His love. If funneled correctly our faith is a testimony to others. Faith is at best a powerful tool. Atheists and Agnostics are such in part because of displays of faith misdirected. Rabbis, Imams and Priests find vocation because of their faith.
Like our cultural identity many of us find our faith in our surroundings and upbringing. Are we responsible for the tradition we adhere to? Yes and no
Diversity is important. It leads to understanding and appreciation.
For example
I enjoy reading the mystical writings found in Eastern Christianity; their explanations on issues of daily living are especially helpful
Rabbinical Judaism offers a lot of insight and analysis. As pure religion goes it’s the best out of the three monotheist religions
Islamic poetry is beautiful. Yes the Quran like the Christian bible makes doctrinal assertions, but it has a lot of beauty and reflection
It is upsetting when religious people project certainty about religions they’ve never studied or researched. Ignorance is especially dangerous in matters of faith. A fervent person could end up being a witness against their own faith instead of a magnet to it.
II. Private Reflections
Recently my own faith has been challenged. In the last three years I’ve experienced family deaths, financial failures, health issues, physical transformation, and love loss. I’m still a man of faith, but just barely.
If every person is given a measure of faith where is mine. I suppose this is my desert period. St. Theresa of Calcutta found meaning in suffering, but I’m not her.
Pius Muslims are transformed by suffering which can be described as the denying of their own desires (inner Jihad) to follow God, but I’m not them.
I am profoundly grateful for people of faith regardless of their religion. Great faith is a gift from God
But as for me of little faith, I’m always skeptical. I think it’s how I’m wired. I’m always asking questions. Of course I have core beliefs. I am now a catholic, was previously a protestant minister.
I rejected fundamentalism, it was full of wrath, but lacked love and intellectual curiosity.
Catholicism offers a feeling of connection, that even after death we are still connected to one another. But its arguments lead me to it, not its people. Many parishioners lack the people skills and enthusiasm found in some Pentecostal and African American churches.
I’m hopeful that the Charismatic Renewal and Eastern Christian mystical writings will find there way to the Latin rite
III. Concluding Thoughts
My thoughts tend to be random since my stroke. Just wanted to add to the discourse while I am able. The Fullness of your faith is revealed in your words and actions. Occasionally it is better to understand than be understood.
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