Recently, I was asked on this blog whether I had faith in anything. I answered semantically, focusing on the word faith and countering with the words trust and hope. As someone with politically liberal sympathies, the word “faith” can spark some discomfort in me. I believe that, particularly as we progress in our tolerance and understanding of different cultures and nations, religion and politics should no longer mix in the way they have for centuries. Religion should never have been political, actually, but in the past they have been indivisible. We need no longer live that way.
But it was my mistake. Faith and religion are not necessarily so intermingled as concepts. I do not have faith in a higher power. But I do have faith in other things. Despite myself — and I will deny this vehemently if you ask me — I have faith in humanity. I believe that, although we are selfish in nature, people choose to overcome that inequity and be good to one another, even if only because it benefits them to do so.
Coupled with that faith in humanity as a mob, I have faith in humanity at a singular level. There is evidence that a human being can achieve things previously thought impossible, so long as they are devoted to the belief that it can be done. At a microcosmic level, I have pushed my own boundaries thus, and have seen my friends do the same.
Eventually, as I considered this, my mind turned back to religion and its potential to inspire humanity to greatness. While I certainly have no great background in theology or philosophy, I theorized something that gave me pause.
Western religions focus on a God for worship and a prophet for example. In this classification I include Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Each has a prophet (a person invested with God’s power) who is the example to whom other people are to aspire. Then they have one God who has given them free will, but also a list of commands as to what limits their life should have. Often these limits make sense morally as well, but sometimes seem archaic and sensible only in ancient times*.
Eastern religions, while they also sometimes have gods, more often have a central figure who tells people how they can best reach their own potential. While figures like Buddha and Lao Tzu are revered, by their own words they are not to be deified. And, in fact, what makes them great can be achieved by others who follow the same path. So, instead of believing in the grace of God and the power granted by something higher, you are encouraged to discover what is great inside yourself and develop that, while allowing for others to do the same.
This may not be an epiphany to most people, but it helps me understand what it is about Western religions that trouble me. It comes down to this: when you believe that your moral compass has been handed to you from a higher power, you are less responsible for your own decisions.
Not every Christian or Jew or Muslim is guilty of blind faith, perhaps not even the majority. But those who do amoral things in the name of their God feel blameless and justified because those religions shift the fault to their God. In most Eastern religions**, the fault lies soundly with the individual, as does the glory (so to speak). Whereas in a Western religion, so long as you are following the precepts set forth in your gospels, then you are without sin, even if the act is amoral.
For me to deny anyone their faith in God would be ignorance. I cannot know that there is no higher power any more than they can be certain that there is. But if a person follows anything without proper introspection, then it is they who are guilty of ignorance. However we came by them, we have minds and the free will to use them. And we should. I have faith that we will use them well.
* – “Don’t eat pork; in the desert, without proper storage and preparation, you will become ill,” is the obvious example.
** – If I am wrong in this, please let me know. I think my point is valid, regardless, but I admit my knowledge in these areas could be lacking.
