What Faith Means to Me

Hi Susan,

I love questions like this? And of course, I loved Joseph Campbell and all his works too! As far as the word “faith” goes, I don’t normally think of it in the same way you are writing about–but I have absolutely no problem agreeing with what you said. To me, faith is more about the trusting of what I perceive to be God ( god) depending on how you look at it. Believing fully (and trusting) in the Wholeness of All, All That Is, etc, is where the word “faith” usually applies in my normal way of thinking.

But regardless of how we choose to define It, or the name we call It, I think your deeper question about how it works in our daily life is the most important. If it isn’t something that brings us peace, joy, and wellbeing, then why? And there is a good chance that the crisis of “faith” in our country is because older religions have not adapted well enough to current times to offer people with a level of understanding that really makes a difference.

I so agree that the study and exploration of this is one of The Most important things we can do in our lives. Thank you for bringing it up because it isn’t something you just figure out once…it needs to be a constant part of our lives. ~Kathy

“God” has been revealed to me a few times. Working as a general practice nurse, I had left the room of a patient who had just died. Walking past the nursery, I saw the newborn there, and realized that I had not once left the room of a dying patient without there being a newborn there. And so, the premise of the circle of everlasting life was fortified in my belief system. My son was involved in a serious sporting accident about 12 yrs ago. He was being tended to by EMS. I remember thinking that I didn’t know how this would play out; an overwhelming sense of peace came over me as I surrendered the outcome to a higher power. In times of strife, I go to these moments. I live in the country surrounded by nature and the rhythm of the seasons. It’s hard for me not to believe. As for formal religion, the Protestant church in my hometown has a “for sale” sign on it.

See https://m.facebook.com/notes/john-darrouzet/truth-in-religion-the-plurality-of-religions-and-the-unity-of-truth/10151429113108906#_=_

Walking sticks … hmmmm. I suppose that works though, as a tool, the most common uses would be crutch or weapon. And though I appreciate the value of myth and recognize its importance in our ability to understand the world, I have a difficult time with Joseph Campbell who seems much closer to TV preacher than Dalai Lama to me. Campbell also seems to be promoting a “unified theory” of mythology, which I think is a case of having a hammer so everything looks like a nail. I do, however, like René Girard and his use of myth to explain scapegoats and sacrifice in his book ‘I See Satan Fall Like Lightning.’ You asked about the numinous? Here you go: https://afencepost.blogspot.com/2017/04/burning-bush-or-fever-dream.html

Regards,
Dexter Turner

What an interesting blog Susan! I could write all day on this! I was just talking to a friend of mine Chet Caskey who just finished his latest book “Confessions of a Religious Fanatic.” When we were talking about religion, he said “I’m nothing.” I replied “I’m everything,” which is probably the same thing. Somehow when I was a little girl, overly aware of God in my life as many of us who don’t feel safe are, I made a decision that God created us in the perfect way to find our way back to God. I still believe this. We each have our own experience of God/Goddess/Creator/Universe. God is Everything and maybe No-thing!

This is such a thoughtful blog post, Susan, and so interesting. I tend to steer clear of all religion, mainly because there are people involved which kind of contaminates it. I do, however, have a very strong faith. That faith has helped me hang onto sanity during some really stressful and hurtful times. When I speak about a higher power I usually refer to the Universe in an effort not to humanise something so much bigger than us. Or to align with any religion. I have, on a few occasions, been struck by the beautiful strength in that higher power from both within and without.I could go on and on about this and how much I love and agree with the Dalai Lama quote but I’ll tell you a story instead. I took my sons out of scripture at school, partly because I wanted them to have the freedom to explore their own beliefs and partly because the untrained teachers were saying some pretty alarming things. It really upset some people (remember, this is a few decades ago now) and I even got pulled into the Principal’s office. 🙂 Anyway, I was talking to the Principal about faith and religion when my son, around seven years old, came over. I randomly asked him what God/god meant to him. He replied Love.

I’ve thought about and studied the religions a lot. There are so many similarities and yet, most wars are fought over religious differences. I’m in a safe little place in the middle of the country and went to, sent my kids to, and now my granddaughter to parochial schools. Not for the indoctrination but the kindness and belief in a purpose higher than themselves. That, to me is the biggest value in organized religion. I’m one of those who goes to church every Sunday – until we get a pastor who irritates me…then I go visiting other parishes or pray at home. I wish we could all appreciate similariites and feel more “sameness”. Thanks for a great post and the opportunity to reflect on it all some more.

Love Joseph Cambell’s quote! Theology and politics I ver away from in many discussions as beliefs and feelings become entwined and, wow. Xoxo

I tend to resonate with the Dalai Lama quote, Susan. ““Same path, different walking stick.” I was born into the Jewish faith and from an early age, found religion rather curious to me. I didn’t quite understand why religion separated people. I didn’t understand how something that was supposedly born of spirit, created such a divide among people. How wars were fought and people’s lives were lost.

Throughout the years I have studied different beliefs and currently, I am very aligned with Marianne Williamson and how clearly she presents the content of A Course in Miracles. I admit I haven’t read the book or done the workbook. Believing we are part of something grander than ourselves, is what faith is to me. And what is God…LOVE. That is really all there is. When you have faith in love, the whole world changes, doesn’t it? Thanks for the thoughtful post this week.

You’ve got me into a thoughtful mood, Susan, because this is a topic over which I’ve had discussions, some of them very heated with me being told I had no faith.

On the contrary, I do have faith – faith in a higher power and trust that at the end of this life, I will return to Source, God or the Ultimate Supreme.

Religion for me is a way of life and all roads lead to the Divine. There is no hard and fast rule about which religion is best or whose God is better.

As a practicing Hindu, I read and believe the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita but when it comes to pondering about the afterlife, the Tibetan concept of Bardo appeals to me.
I remember as a child I was scared of bad dreams and ghosts and for many years, I slept with a small Bible and the Hanuman Chalisa wrapped together in a red silk cloth under my pillow.

I felt safe and secure and never thought about religion or any thing like that. All I knew was that I felt secure and protected and the bad dreams and ghosts didn’t dare trouble me.

That is Faith. 🙂

This is really thought provoking and I can definitely say that the religion’s portrait of faith did not work for me.. I could only feel separation. Faith for me is in the knowing that we are the source and we are supported in all of our desires!

Faith for me in a strong knowing that all is well. I do feel that all religions at their core profess the same thing. That there is a divine source guiding us

You reach on point in life when you have to decide for yourself. Some will choose to go with what they have been taught. Others will go off on their own and discover for themselves. I prefer the path to Love rather than the path to Hell

So the biblical definition of faith is found in Hebrews 11:1 and I apply it in my life as looking ahead and seeing what God has promised and then believing that regardless of the circumstances. Faith does not have to see something to believe it–it cannot be defined by the five physical senses but it is a tangible force that effects the natural and physical world.

Yes, proving one’s faith or religion has been a debate for many years. The sad part is that it has caused many lives, not only before but also up to now. Definitely, understanding will take forever if people will always prove themselves to be right and others to be wrong.

You given me some things to think about. Well done.