On this Pentecost* Sunday I have some time to spare - unusually - before going into prison and, as I've been pondering the subject, I thought I might talk a little about my faith.
Every so often I catch up a bit on the television series, Pilgrimage. Each season takes a group of up to eight 'celebrities' and sends them to follow an ancient pilgrim trail. They are all of different faiths or none so it's interesting to hear their thoughts and see their reactions.
The one I watched yesterday included a visit to a Buddhist shrine (in North Wales), and they took part in a ritual that involved walking around a sculpture with candles. The woman leading it was a typical Buddhist, very calm and gentle, and encouraging, and she talked about how after death our energy is released into the atmosphere before inhabiting a new shape.
I suppose I would say soul for energy but I don't believe in reincarnation and karma, and working to be good enough to get to nirvana.
But every religion has its good and bad points so why have I chosen Christianity?
Because if Jesus existed and the stories told about him are true, then why wouldn't I want to follow a God of love who calls the outcasts, the poor, the alien, the damaged?
If Jesus didn't exist, well, I am no worse off if I continue to try to follow his teachings.
I don't want to have a religion; I have a faith. Believing what you can't see. Foolish maybe, but my brain made a conscious decision to believe, to have faith. I have questions and doubts - oh so many - but I choose to continue to believe.
I'm not a spiritual person, I don't have many amazing experiences where I am moved or shaken. I have a practical and I believe rational faith. It's not about feelings; it's about choosing and hanging on in there.
* Pentecost Sunday celebrates the day the Holy Spirit entered the disciples, and is regarded as the birthday of the church.
9 comments:
If your faith enriches your life, then it is beneficial to you. And by being practical in applying it, working to improve the lives of others who are struggling in life, your faith enriches others too.
You've taken the wager of Pascal, so you're in good company.
You are living your faith and that is remarkable.
Thank you for saying it much better than I could.
I had to look up Pascal's wager, boud.
Having faith has gotten me through a lot of rough times. I figure if it works for me I'll keep right on going with it.
How can people not believe in God. If its only a story it has lasted 2000+ years and it teaches love and compassion.
Chris, go read Mark Twain on religion.
I really feel much the same as you about faith. My RCC faith is a kind of “philosophy” for me on how I would like to be in my best self.
Post a Comment