posted on May, 16 2007 @ 02:03 AM
Many people today think that the religious label they place upon themselves is a good indication of their faith, however, looking at the definition of
a religious act, infers that it is something that is done on a regular basis. We go to work religiously; we take care of our pets religiously and may
go to a church religiously as well. Using the word in its true definition, faith is not a part of it. When Jesus spoke to the Elders in the temple, He
called them blind guides because they felt that due to their religious activity, that they were superior to others. Jesus pointed out that simply
surrounding oneself with religion does not mean that one has faith. If you are a Christian, or even if you are not, you are aware of the many
different denominations of the faith. The faith is the belief that Christ is the Son of God, which is the only belief that qualifies one as a
Christian. It is the different religious systems within the common faith that is the cause of the internal separation. Baptists condemn the Catholics
and vice versa, while maintaining the same faith! If one is to take the words of Jesus as the basis of one’s faith, then belief in Him is the only
requirement. How is it then, that there can even be different denominations? It is only a source of conflict. Jesus never said one must be Catholic or
Protestant or any other religion, but faith and faith alone is what is needed. Many people consider themselves religious while at the same time they
have no faith! So the question I ask is this: if it was put so simply, then how has man made it so complicated? We also see this in the Muslim faith.
There are those who think that Jihad is called for as a part of their faith, while others do not. We see today, the Palestinians fighting each other,
while at the same time, trying to reach an agreement of peace with Israel. How can one have peace with another if they have no peace within their own
nation? People of like faith need to come together in spite of the small differences in their expression of it if there is to be a true unity in any
faith. Personally, I respect all faiths and those who believe in it. I accept all people as people. If I pray to Christ at the table, and I have a
Muslim friend who wishes to pray to Allah at my table, I will respect that and have no problem with it. Many people would say that is unacceptable,
but my faith calls for the acceptance of others. As a friend, I accept him and respect his faith. If people would simply care about others without
passing a religious model, the world would be much better off. One thing that I feel unites us all, is the common will to be treated with respect and
kindness. If we would all start there, there would be many wars that would never be fought, and we would have many friendships that otherwise we would
never know. When it all comes down to it, we all have the same dreams and the same fears. Only together can we realize the one, and overcome the
other. It cannot be any other way because whoever you feel is the Creator, one thing is certain; He created us to need each other.