Profound Faith
Monday, March 24th, 2008I am moved by profound faith, whether I witness it in a church, mosque, temple or on the street. I’ve seen sooo much of it the past few weeks. People dropping to their knees, crawling to the statue of a saint, speaking, praying, crying to it with such intensity. Just like seeing the simple act of a man lying a mat on the sidewalk to pay to mecca. It makes me tear up.
But it goes beyond faith. I once got choked up at an Ethiopian new years celebration. Maybe it’s about seeing a community come together and celebrate, motivated by a common goal or background, or belief. It’s such a deep human need, isn’t it? To be part of a community. Part of something bigger than the individual. Something that gives purpose. It’s something I think of often. Why are there so many different religions around the globe? One can say “well, I believe in mine because it is true. It is the one true religion”. But if that is so, why were all the others created out of thin air? Why, everywhere around the world, wasn’t it good enough to just live life and not worship? Why do these questions about human nature intrigue me so much!!!??
Peggy Rehm