Faith is particularly important in the major monotheistic religions of Judaism, Islam and Christianity, with their emphasis upon God’s eventual, irrevocable judgment of each human soul. Even within a single religion, faith is not a fixed concept, but may change in emphasis over time; in Judaism, for example, the Torah interprets faith to mean an immense trust in God, rather than — as now — a belief in his very existence. All three religions believe that the divine presence is manifested through sacred scriptures, which record the history and nature of God’s covenant with his chosen people. Such texts, conveying the Word of God and describing encounters with him, are integral to the rituals and tradition that inspire personal belief. This individual spiritual faith is more than an intellectual conviction; it is a passionate, emotional commitment that may often be counterpointed by agonizing doubt.

The power of faith is indisputable: individuals throughout history have been prepared to sacrifice their most valued possessions, including their lives, as a result of their trust in God. The Islamic obligation of jihad, literally translated as "striving" in the service of Allah, requires physical defence of the faith if necessary, without regard for personal safety. Many spiritual traditions celebrate those who confronted the challenges of their beliefs: Abraham’s faith in divine will, for example, led him to countenance the otherwise intolerable action of sacrificing his own son. The heart of Christian belief lies in the death and miraculous resurrection of Jesus, through which his followers may hope to be redeemed if their trust and repentance are sincere. Christian martyrs who have died for their faith are often venerated as the recipients of divine strength and power.

In contrast to the monotheistic religions, the faith of many Eastern beliefs is less focused on divine textual authority. Even the most holy writings of Buddhism, for example, are considered "mere pointing at the Moon" — indications of a truth that can only come from personal experience. In Hinduism, the spiritual goal of moksha, or liberation from the cycle of rebirth, may be pursued through the paths of knowledge, action or devotion. The third of these, bhakti-marga, involves a complete surrender of the ego to the mystical experience of divine grace and power. Knowledge of the deity thus emerges through faith rather than itself inspiring spiritual conviction.

Faith and doubt are inextricably linked in spiritual experience. In his teachings the Buddha acknowledged the limitations of blind faith, requiring that his students should always test his words. The Zen Buddhist tradition believes that three elements are needed to make spiritual progress: great faith, great doubt and great perseverance. Faith is required to discover and trust the inherent truth of Buddhist teaching; doubt to challenge and overcome superficial understanding; and perseverance to continue despite distracting hopes and fears. In recognizing the complexities and hardships of a spiritual path, our religions and beliefs also celebrate the enduring human determination to overcome them.




From The Secret Language of the Soul by Jane Hope (San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 1997).
Copyright © 1997 by Jane Hope

Used by arrangement with Chronicle Books.