Do you operate on faith or reason?

Your answer will give you an idea as to how mystically inclined you are. Mystics invariably disregard rational arguments or physical proof, talking about their personal experiences of the divine and how nothing can overturn that. Empiricists are inherently skeptical of personal experience as the senses are so easily deceived. They look for objective confirmation before they will believe anything.

It is interesting that, as scientific as the West is generally portrayed, its religions traditionally emphasize faith that goes beyond reason. It is no accident that the first of the 10 Commandments and the first of Islam’s Five Pillars are essentially the same: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” and “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammed is His prophet,” respectively. The existence of God is simply asserted and the follower is expected to believe. In the New Testament, the point is even clearer. “Doubting Thomas,” one of Jesus’ disciples, insists: “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” (John 20:25) Eight days later, Jesus challenges Thomas to physically put his hand in the wound. Only then does Thomas believe, but he is rebuked: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)

Compare that with the Buddha’s instruction as to whether one should accept his teachings: “Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.” (Kalaama Sutra) Taoism is indifferent to faith. Like the Law of Gravity, the Tao works whatever anyone may believe. If one jumps off a cliff, one will fall, no matter how fervent the belief may be otherwise. Therefore, one is best served by learning the principles of the Tao and behave accordingly.

Hinduism, with its myriad gods, goddesses and demons, is often seen as one of the least practical of the world’s religions, but that conclusion is misleading. There are four types of yoga: karma (service to others), bhakti (devotional prayer and ritual), jnana (intellectual reason), and raja (a combination of the three others). The goal in each is not to “believe” or be “convinced.” Rather, as with any meditation, one is supposed to get so involved in the activity that one loses the sense of the ego self, and thereby reaches nirvana.

So which is the “right” approach? As with the opening scenario, it is possible, even likely, that one will never “know” whether the beloved is “really” guilty or innocent. However, imagine reversing the roles. Suppose you are the one who has been eternally faithful to your dearest companions and assume you have been unjustly convicted of some terrible crime. You watch as you see those closest to you of so many years debate your guilt. Do you think you could respond with Jesus: “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do”? Would you shrug them off with a Taoist “Let them believe what they like. I know I am innocent.” Or would you trust in the Divine that, in some way, shape or form, your innocence will ultimately be vindicated?

And would you be at peace with your verdict?

Tucson faith leaders, we would like to include your original sermon or scriptures of encouragement. Sermons must be written by the person submitting them, not borrowed from another source or writer. If you are a faith leader from any religion or denomination, please contact Sara Brown at sbbrown@tucson.com.