A Belief In... Something

Three reasons why the New York Times' War on Christmas denial is all wrong.  Does this title confuse anyone else?  Well, maybe it's just me, but I'd have written this differently, like highlighting "War on Christmas" so it isn't misconstrued as the "New York Times' War on Christmas" denial.  I'd like to think the New York Times isn't denying they're waging war on Christmas; rather they're just printing an article denying there is a war on Christmas which others are accused of waging.  I suppose it goes to show that even Fox News hires journalists from the American colleges of "higher" education.  These are the little misprints which get blown all out of proportion by those folks with agendas of perpetual offense who seem to be in bed with nothing even remotely close to truth.

I invite all of my readers to go to the link, above, and read this article before continuing through my post.  If nothing else, it is interesting and written by someone with a unique point of view for most journalists of today - he was there!  I always find it a plus when I can get anything close to facts from someone who actually knows something of the subject on which they open their pie hole for commentary.

Now, even though the reference article deals with religious holidays, it is not my intent to get into a braying contest with a league of jackasses.  I have had many friends who are agnostic as well as atheist.  They are fine people, tolerant people, who understand a need for belief, even though their own belief might not be that of others.  It is called diversity, and we all have supported each other in celebrating it.

I find myself, quite often, ministering to those who question their faith, or question the need for faith.  I usually start my discussions by explaining that, for them at that moment, what or who they have faith in is not as important as the fact that they have faith - in something.  Ministers and priests have issue with my approach even though, for the most part, they and their close minded, divisive, "Christian" philosophies are the cause of much of this confusion and loss of valuable congregation members.  I'm just stepping in to offer what they could not - tolerance and understanding, you know, some of those much touted, little used, Christian values.  I just think it is better to keep what you can of their Christianity.  They might not be devout, not many of us are, but better God at least keeps something of their soul and it might as well be faith.

As a Christian, I think that explaining it is okay to have a personal relationship with God is much better than losing a fellow Christian altogether, and having a belief in something is better than having a belief in nothing.  Without faith what are we left with?  Atheists have faith that they are right, they have faith that supreme deities do not exist.  They will argue there is a lack of empirical evidence supporting any deist beliefs.  So what do atheists and theists have in common?  We both have an unyielding faith that we are correct.  

Everyone believes in something, or someone; everyone would seem to have faith.  Faith is what puts most of us on our life path.  I firmly believe unhappiness occurs when we deny our path.  Oh, we're on it, been on it since we were born.  We're able to see forward and back, and everything to each side as we stumble around blindly denying the path we're on.  When we finally become aware of our path we're usually the only ones who didn't know what it was, and where we were headed.  We stumble around blindly because we have faith, blind faith.

But isn't all faith blind, by definition?  Don't we all have faith because we have no proof?  Here's a thought to ponder.  A blind man is only blind until he learns to "see."  Blind faith is only blind until we discover our path, until we create order out of chaos, and take those first tentative steps forward.  We feel with our hands, not knowing what lies ahead, but we have faith that we will make the best of whatever we come across or whatever comes our way.  We don't have to see what lies ahead to feel pretty darned certain something does.  We have faith.  And one day we will come to understand that even if nothing is there, that is something, and sometimes nothing is something to be cherished.  It is proof we are alive.  So, it would seem we can believe in nothing and, in doing so, believe in something.  Atheists don't believe in God because God does not exist for them.  God is nothing; therefore... well, you get the point.

We all believe in something.  Why don't we learn to believe in our somethings together, in peace?  We might find a light to brighten our path.  We might even discover something better to believe in that is much more interesting than nothing.  We might even discover our faith.   

Editor's Note 

(re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card) 

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider another viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and then engaging in peaceful, constructive, discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning the opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 23 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to the intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, in the guise of the Congregation's official, online, blog, "The Path," of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead chaplain at a regional medical center.