Leap of Faith

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A leap of faith means believing that you are doing the right thing because you are making the absolute right choice. You move forward without guarantees or certainly of the outcome but you have insight that  you will achieve the aim you are shooting for. Our faith in God and religion is based on a justified true belief that there is a higher authority and Supreme Being that dictates human life. Religious belief often means that people commit to worship on the basis that God is real and right. They build up a faith that their belief in a religion is righteous and redeeming. This faith allows them to rever and worship their God knowing that there is a higher esoteric calling that they are accountable to. 

As individuals we often encounter situations where we have to decide on what decision to make while uncertain about the benefits or detriment involved. We end up trying to weigh up the advantages of taking a course of action against the risks that it might entail. However, the fact that we might not know what outcome will result; be it positive or negative, does not prevent us from deciding on which course of action to take. It’s at that point that we make a leap of faith that we will achieve the outcome desired, or at the very worst we will not suffer excessively should things not turn out as we hope. 

How we make decisions about what direction or actions we take is big part of what goes into setting up our mental health. There are two things that can have a particularly detrimental effect on our state of mind. One is, when being confronted with a choice, how we proceed and whether we go on to take action. The other thing is, how we respond to situations in which we are faced with conflicting options. Not acting positively in either of these situations may lead to significant anxiety and stress induced behaviour. 

Just as with our relationship with God the strongest personal relationships are rooted in faith. Faith in another person’s altruism. We open ourselves up and step into a circle of trust where we expect the best of each other. And even when there are questions we challenge each other to be better and reward our trust. And at times when we have doubts we take everything into consideration and explore the limits of our own faith. Ultimately, that faith instils a feeling of trust in individuals. It is this that goes on to form the bedrock of most relationships. 

Taking a leap of faith means putting aside any sense of doubt and preparing to commit to a course of action that we believe will deliver some anticipated benefits. It also represents a recognition that having given careful consideration to the circumstances that is most suitable option to choose. This is how human beings commit to a long term gain over any perceived short term risks. 

Abortion: An issue of faith or the greater good?

The state of Mississippi in the United States of America has legislated banning abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The reason given for this is “to protect the most vulnerable of life”. There are few exemptions but these do not include in the event of rape, incest or abuse. A legal challenge to the bill has already been filed, and it is likely to be the first salvo in a drawn out debate that may not see the bill implemented any time soon, if at all. A judge has subsequently blocked the law for a ten day period. Legal precedent across the United States gives women the right of choice regards abortion and allows for abortion up to about 24-26 weeks.

Religion was the foundation of rules and laws in almost all early societies. Religious belief and social law comfortably coexisted in early times. Most people lived their lives according to religious principles and these underpinned law making. Some of these principles still form the basis of legislation in many countries all over the world. However, they are now required to also meet the standards of natural justice and equality. Social order requires laws to be fair and reasonable; and not just a matter of religious doctrine or personal beliefs.

Laws are intended to maintain order and create harmony in societies. Over time laws need to be responsive to changes in social norms and behaviour. However, any changes should promote fairness and equality. Mississippi’s attempt to outlaw abortion takes little consideration of the consequences of criminality, emotional well-being or the best interests of society. There isn’t much of a scientific or medical basis to this attempted law change. The presumption has to be that its being driven by some notion of morality. It is no surprise that Mississippi was one of the states actively engaged in the unwanted sterilisation of vulnerable individuals (particularly African American women) under a state sponsored eugenics programme right up to 1963.

In many cases religious beliefs coincide with the secular laws. However, religious beliefs are meant to apply to groups of people who share those beliefs and abide by the principles underpinning them. The laws of the land on the other hand apply to everyone. It would stand to reason that if a society is considering incorporating any religious values into law then they have to make sure there is a universal benefit to be attained.

It is questionable whether this change in law will create any significant social benefits. It won’t necessarily strengthen family units. It won’t protect children against abuse or neglect. It won’t empower and uplift women. And it certainly won’t lead to a reform of state welfare provisions. What it will potentially do is recreate an unsafe underground abortion industry and put women at more risk. It will also put pressure on women to rush decisions about their pregnancies that they might ideally need more time to come to terms with.

Politicians have a huge responsibility to maintain social order; and make and revise statutes and laws. However, there are too many instances of politicians pursuing the furtherance of their own enrichment, careers and big business interests rather than the needs of the people who elected them. It is down to the people to hold them to account and be prepared to challenge legislation and legislators  that do not serve the greater good.

Religion's Moral Failings

Religion is generally considered a system of faith and worship based on a particular set of beliefs and values. These beliefs are expected to direct and guide the thinking and actions of all who believe them. Religion is meant to improve and elevate the consciousness of all who are followers. In other words, they are offered the prospect or reward of a better existence. While it must be acknowledged that not all religious beliefs are ethical; almost all will claim to promote goodness and virtue. 

Following the death of over 700 pilgrims as a result of a stampede during the Hajj this year Saudi Arabia's top religious leader has proclaimed that fatalities were down to fate. This appears to be an attempt to curry favour with the Saudi royal family by absolving them of any blame for the disaster. The repeated deaths of pilgrims during the Hajj seems to be a phenomenon unique to Saudi Arabia and surely cannot be inevitable. There have to be questions asked about the organisation of the pilgrimage and the Saudi authorities' regard for the safety of traveling pilgrims. A religious leader who should be holding the authorities to account, demanding improvements and advocating for devotees has chosen instead to be partisan. 

The moral failure by Saudi Arabia's top religious leader is just another in a long history of religious leaders failing in their moral duty. There are Christian Pentecostal pastors who are accumulating huge fortunes at the expense of their mostly impoverished worshippers. The Anglican Church is riven on the issues of the ordination of women and gay pastors. The Catholic Church is still struggling with the handling of an array of abuses by its institutions. There are a number of Islamic leaders who continuously advocate terror and personal abuses. In Israel there a fundamental religious leaders who are pushing for further oppression of Palestinians. Scientology has acquired assets of over a billion dollars while subjecting its followers to varying degrees manipulation and exploitation. 

The Pope's campaigning for tackling poverty, being less obsessed with money and saving the environment is commendable. However, too many religious groups and leaders are failing to carry out the basic task of taking care of the welfare of members. There are 3 billion people who members of some religious institution or the other, and the evidence is there that most of them are being very poorly served; both morally and materially.