Belief (in God)
While away for an overnight trip with friends, the heavy rain prevented us from enjoying the lake. Instead, we enjoyed plenty of junk food and conversation that centered on heavy topics including rape and abortion, but also the idea of faith (religion) or beliefs.
I believe in God, although I’ll be the first to admit that my faith wavers. I don’t think I need to beat anybody over the head with this faith, but I do think my life should be a living testimony of my faith. Unfortunately, I don’t find that it is, and that is because instead of praying regularly and in doing so developing my relationship with God, I pray most when I’m worried (although I make a point to pray when I am grateful too), and I reserve my bible reading for Sundays. I truly believe that if I read my bible more often, I would feel more comfortable with my faith, and be more likely to live it everyday.
Something that is difficult for people to accept is that some faiths are very direct in saying that people of a different faith will go to hell if they continue with their religion. One of my friends found this phrasing offensive, and I can see her point: in our politically correct society, someone who seems to be condemning is not going to be popular.
But think about it: if someone truly believed that all religions lead to heaven, then why would they be so attached to their own particular religion? I’d like to believe that people continue practicing the faith of their parents because they believe in it more than the other options around. If not, there is no point to practice it in my opinion.
Another discussion point was the idea of whether or not it’s fair that God allows this, or allows that. I do not have an answer for this except for one that may seem like a non-answer: God is not human so I cannot put upon Him the qualities that I expect humans to have or understand. What humans define as fair or not is limited–we do not see the big picture, we do not understand why everything happens. I feel quite inadequate, therefore, trying to decide what is fair or unfair. This doesn’t mean I don’t cry out with “it’s not fair!” when things good people die young, but I do realize that I can’t question something I don’t fully understand, and I don’t think we’re meant to fully understand how God works.
If questions like this intrigue you, you may want to visit Allison at Finding Religion.
belief, faith, belief in God, religion
Leave a Reply