“Have
faith,” someone says. It’s another way
of indicating, “have hope, don’t give up, hang in there.” That’s a good trait. Stick-to-itness. The Stockdale Paradox is to have faith in a
positive outcome and do everything possible for that positive outcome, but be
grounded in the reality of your current situation. That’s faith based upon reality.
But
there is another type of faith. Blind
faith. This is the faith that runs
counter to logic, rationality and what is happening in the real world. This is the faith of fundamentalism. If it is written in the old testament, new
testament or Koran, then it’s to be believed literally. If a priest, minister, mullah tells you to murder
in the name of God, do you do it?
This
becomes the danger of our time. The
misdirection of faith, faith run amok, that takes life rather than preserves
and enhances life.
We
see all around us the two types of faith.
On one hand appears the faith of joy, giving, following the true
teachings of Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, Moses, Confucius. Do unto others as you would have them do unto
you. Resist not evil. Love your enemies. The Eight-fold Path.
On
the other hand we see the misdirection of faith. I’m saved, and you’re going to hell. I’m right, and you’re wrong. My family, tribe, nation or religion is
justified in killing members of your family, tribe, nation or religion. My book has the literal truth of God, and
yours is the misguided ramblings of lunatics.
How
can so many people believe that they have the literal word of God and all the
others don’t?
What
we need today entails seeing the truth in many different religious traditions
and to focus on the common truth rather than the exclusivity of one prophet
versus another.
Each
religion starts with insights into the human predicament. Unfortunately, a structure is wrapped around
the core teachings to become institutionalized.
Then the message is lost in the trappings of the formal faith.
So
keep the faith. Just don’t kill others
with it.
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