Defining faith is like trying to explain the meaning of life. It’s so large a concept, so personal in meaning, that it’s almost impossible. Sages and philosophers have tried for centuries. For something that’s so hard to put into words, it sure does play a huge role in our lives and society, from our daily routine to the way we treat others to the politics we practice. The Blade asked six area residents — all laypersons — representing different world religions to give it a shot and explain what faith means to them personally.
— Ryan E. Smith
Blade photos by Andy Morrison
FAITH IS...
Originally published in The Blade on Sunday, April 12, 2009
“... twofold. First, faith is my confidence in what I believe God
will do on behalf of his people, based on my biblical understand-
ing of what the Bible says about who Jesus Christ is and what he
can do for you. That’s saving faith. The second faith, which I call
my living faith, is the faith in which I put into practice my
reliance upon Jesus Christ to meet the needs and the desires of
my heart on a daily basis.”
— Leroy Bates, Baptist, 60, West Toledo
“... what tells you that you’re here for a reason; it’s your map or
your guide. Without it, you’d be lost. You would have no idea why
you’re here or what your purpose or goal is. Faith helps you make
sense of this crazy world. For Muslims, we look at our religion as
not only being your religion, but your way of life. It’s your whole
daily routine. It’s integrated into your everyday actions, so we do
everything in accordance with Islamic principles.”
— Ammar Alo, Muslim, 26, Sylvania Township
“... something that I would rely on and act on even though I can’t
prove it. To me, faith is the antidote for fear. So many things in
life are subject to being questioned, and we wonder about things
and we have fears: fears of the unknown, fears of the future,
fears of death, sometimes fears of taking courageous action, and
I think having faith helps you get over your fears. My faith in
Judaism, it ties in because it gives me direction in how to act, in
how to live my life.”
— Neil Light, Reform Jew, 55, Ottawa Hills
“... my rock and my foundation. When I think more about it, I see
my faith as a gift as well. For so many years I think I was blinded to it.
Other than my parents, I have never experienced what you’d call unconditional love. Just the whole idea that the Lord died for me, it’s beyond my comprehension. I try to think of myself as a good friend
and develop relationships based on being unconditional and on being
very caring and such. The Lord is my model upon which I have built
those qualities.”
— Carol Christiansen, Catholic, 63, West Toledo
“... believing in a higher authority, a higher cosmic power, and just a
belief that there is God. In addition to being brought up with religious
values and trust in God, it has also been a quest for understanding
the scientific basis for things, what can’t be understood by science. ...
I continually question various teachings and their contexts, but on a
more compelling side, I believe these have been said and passed to
us through divine intervention. They may not have been proven or
understood or accepted yet, but I want to believe.”
— Sumitra Srinivasan, Hindu, 30, West Toledo
“... a belief that there is something greater than myself. The
journey is to try to understand that. ... It’s a personal quest.
When one lets go of thought there’s a space that’s created, and
that happens in meditation and it also happens in mindfulness,
which is in the present, and it happens for me a lot in nature.
When you let go of thought and are in that space, for me, that’s
the space of God, Creator, Source, whatever you want to call it.”
— Millicent Marquart, Tibetan Buddhist, 71, Perrysburg Township
