I have had the pleasure of being on a few dating websites (note sarcasm). The one interesting thing about them is how they ask you to summarize your life in a way that somehow captures your essence. I personally don’t think writing can do that, but wanting to join the singles community, I decided to take it on.
One of the questions on these websites is the question of faith. Specifically “What is your faith”. The candidate is provided with a list of the top 15 or so religions to select from.
I have never thought about faith in this way. Faith to me was an emotional thing, something that beats in your chest and you earnestly believed in. It was a conviction, a certainty, and understanding of someone’s place in the universe.
Religion on the other hand, has struck me as the material trappings, the ritual, the stuff or preachers, shamans and priests. It is the lighting of candles, the chanting of the monks, the inspiring words of the iman. It is the routine that bring comfort to those whose faith waivers, and provides a sense of community.
I don’t see these terms as interchangeable, and it can make things very confusing when the question comes up. I think of myself as having a deep abiding faith, but it isn’t for any god that is associated to any of the popular religion. I also don’t belong to any organized religion, which means I can guiltlessly enjoy my bacon, but miss the feeling of community brought by sharing time with like-minded people.
I suspect that many people feel as I do about religion. The lure of community is powerful, the rituals, comforting. And I am fairly certain that most feel the same about faith and the desire to understand our purpose in the larger scope of things. But the conflicting nature of the teachings in most religions and the range in which they can be interpreted is the basis for a great deal of conflict.
So I am going to carry on with my belief system and feel good about my faith. . . and I reserve the right to participate in all the holidays that every other religion enjoys. . . Because I am always up for a celebration!