Faith Without Works, The Diatribe

James 2:26
Just as the body is dead without breath,
so also faith is dead without good works.

What is faith? What is faith without works? We believe. We take action. But do we do enough to make a difference? Or do we do too little allowing what has come before to be the paradigm? Is this we will ever know as the highest truth? What is faith without the darkness and the unknown? From the unknowable and innumerable all faith stems forth. Faith is darkness manifest and a pure certainty in the unknown, the belief that something resides in the dark recesses of reality though we have nothing to prove it to ourselves or others. And we gladly embrace it. What is religion other than philosophies rooted in very basic principles and core questions about the unknown that influences that which is now considered to be known? Is tradition indeed the highest truth?

Faith means nothing if it becomes just another tool of excuses or war in the hands of those who would wield ignorance to gain more power or influence. DO I DO THE SAME THINGS WITH MY RAMBLINGS? I hope this is not the case. I encourage the quest of all souls to find what it means to be human and not some anonymous super human nor vilified subhuman. In working to find answers to those things we do not understand we inevitably advance ourselves though it has come at a great price through the ages.  Seeking after the unknown inadvertently brings about unexpected answers or results to those questions we have yet to ask or even yet to comprehend.

We must be cautious with the actions we say are based on faith, for wars have raged over less. When we use our emotions tempered with logic and our faith moderated by doubt we will be able to answer the calling of restoring religion and faith to its rightful place, not as an institution of fear, violence and bigotry in the name of the select few but a common ground for all people to advance and seek answers to the most basic human questions. Why are we here? What is the meaning of life? Why is there evil in the world? Perhaps we have relied on the answers we have been handed too long? I believe so. But that is my belief.

However, in order to find answers we must all seek our own destiny and must take action to create those things we desire as they will not manifest themselves on desire alone. I heard a saying once, “God can move mountains, but you had best bring a shovel.” It is at this junction that I invite you to your destiny. Let our faith take a temporary rest while we start shoveling. Let the work begin!