Religion and Faith

There are many conversations that I have about religion, sometimes with total strangers, whereas the other mentions that they are not religious, but they are spiritual.  What that means usually is that they have no official affiliation with a religious body.  In many corners of the world today religion, and especially Christianity are bad words.  Even more in many facets of society today there is an outright hostility towards religion and Christianity.

On of my favorite attacks against Christians is the Crusades.  Somewhere in the middle of a discussion on some religious point, the other will ask, 'What about the Crusades?'  It would be difficult to explain the socio-political structure of the day.  For the Church, the only model of governance was that of the Roman Empire.  Certainly the apostles were not busy considering the various governing models that might be part of the administration of the Church.

What seems to conflict people most today is that religion has with it a certain structure and expectations that affiliate peoples with the religious body.  In our post modern society all belief and morals are subjective.  While a certain act or action might be 'sinful' for me, it is not for everyone else.  Many have problems with religions' insistence that there is a Natural Law, and certain morals in which we must adhere to.

It is hard not to look at the brokenness and hurt in our world today and miss the fact that much is based on pride, greed, jealousy, anger, lust, and envy.  Even primitive tribal people have a set of mores which dictate one's day to day behaviour.  It is good and important to have a close and intimate relationship with Jesus Christ, but then to maintain that orientation towards God. and God's Son, our words and actions are directed to truth and goodness.

There is no doubt, as the Gospel for today illustrates, that religious practice alone, will not bring us to salvation. But in the end our religion and faith draws us close to God and assist us in nourishing and nurturing that relationship.  It is easy to get caught up in the workings of the Church, or the intricacies of a religious life.  But in the end we live as members of a body of faith constantly unfolding God's love and mercy.  St. Paul will remind us often that, "We walk by faith, not by sight."  The courage and strength of peoples who stand for justice and peace is an indication of their connection to God.

We are really spiritual and religious.  We cannot separate out our belief and our morals.  To be sure we are these broken vessels, but we are filled up with what is lacking in our faith.