Like many others, I went to church on Christmas Day. I am not a Catholic, but I went to a Roman Catholic church. I am not an unquestioning believer, but I recite the Lord’s Prayer and the Apostles’ Creed from memory. Sometimes I listen intently to the biblical readings and the homily, and other times I sit in private contemplation as the service continues around me. I do not partake of the Eucharist because I have not met the requirements of the Church to do so, but I understand and appreciate its significance.
It occurred to me this Christmas as I sat in the pew how special it is to be among people who follow their faith and to share in their celebration of the beginning of Christ’s life. Even though it is unlikely that Christ was born on December 25th 2,021 years ago, the exact date does not really matter. What is important is that Christianity began and then became a religion and way of life based on love and generosity of spirit, encompassing our humanity, and requesting our humility.
I am not a religious scholar nor am I a historian, but my profound sense is that all religions share in this fundamental foundation of humanity and humility. This shared purpose has been bastardized by rules, dogma, ceremony, control, and an insistence that there must be one true faith. Because of this, our shared humanity and humility have been forgotten.
Instead of appreciating the value of faith in all its manifestations, we dismiss those who do not share our beliefs. Those who have no beliefs find it easy to dismiss those who do. In the end, we find it difficult to practice acceptance and tolerance, and instead practice condescension and condemnation.
It is in the smallest and most remote of churches, synagogues, mosques, and temples that one can find the purist expression of faith. Removed from the trappings of politics and power that exist in religious hierarchies, priests and rabbis and imams who have no earthly ambition or aspiration are free to simply speak the word of God.
It is only when religious leaders, full of earthly conceit and arrogance, insist on their divine authority to interpret the word of God that religion begins to lose its connection with the holy spirit of God.
Quiet contemplation and meditation on the word of God will inevitably lead to a sense of humanity and humility, both of which are very much absent from many people’s lives. Many people profess their faith but do not practice it. Anger, intolerance, indifference, a manifestation of hatred and distrust and a willingness to engage in violence – there is no spirit of God at work when these emotions prevail.
What difference does it make if our constitution guarantees us freedom of religion when so many of us believe that there is only one true religion and only one true way to worship? We should not let ourselves be offended by the way in which other people seek the word of God.
We need to treasure our freedom to worship. In other countries where there are restrictions placed on religion and religious worship, other freedoms are equally in jeopardy. Freedom of expression, freedom of association, freedom of passage, freedom to think and dream and imagine – they can all be lost here in this country as well.
The very act of seeking the word of God brings enlightenment, and with enlightenment comes a sense of freedom.
No matter how much we believe that we know the word of God, there is always something more to learn, a deeper understanding to be attained. In the end, the fullness of knowledge lies beyond our brief existence, no matter what our belief and our faith, but is that not a great wonder in and of itself? If we cease to wonder and cease to learn, we cease to be enlightened, and then we cease to be free. We return to our earthly worries and material desires and imprison ourselves by them.
This is how faith and freedom are inseparably intertwined.
During this holiday season, as we visit our family and friends, and freely celebrate the season with food and drink and music and gifts, we should not forget to also spend time in quiet contemplation of the importance that faith has always had throughout the history of mankind.