Hum 325- Rome: Stories and Traditions 8-30-10

“The major religions of the West – Christianity, Judaism, and Islam – all promise future salvation. All are linked to the past. Does the past bolster faith or limit it?”


First and foremost, I must acknowledge the face that I am not religious, so I have very little knowledge of Christianity and especially Judaism and Islam. Even saying I have very little knowledge of Christianity may be reach. However, from the very few religious experiences I have had I must say I believe the past undoubtedly bolsters faith.

Everything that is studied in the church and bible today is based on experiences and writings from the past. Therefore, the foundation of most people’s beliefs are these writings and stories from the past. This foundation connects people creating the bond and commitment that is present today. From the few the experiences that I have had, I have realized that this bond and commitment is almost impossible to break. I will give you an example as to what I mean. If scientists were able to prove any of the stories in the bible were false like the parting of the red sea or more importantly creation, I believe the majority of people would still believe what they have been preached for years. Obviously, some people would have a change of heart, but the important aspect to realize is once someone believes something with their whole heart nothing will ever change their mind.

At one point in time, I used to attend services and bible study on a regular basis last fall and spring thanks to Dr. Chad Gerber’s theology class. Once the services and bible study ended, I never really had the will find another church. However, the services I were present at were very educational for me, and I could see the devotion people put into their religious beliefs. To be honest, I can even describe what I had seen during these services. It was almost as if these people were being spoken to and controlled when they were singing. It really is indescribable for me, but the main point is that all these people are once again obeying their beliefs based on what has been preached for centuries. If the past did limit faith, then I never recognized it at any of the services I attended.

During my freshman year, I had one of the most heated conversations I have ever had with one of my best friends concerning and miracle cures and medicine. For an hour, we exchanged words with each of our beliefs concerning miracles cures and the use of medicine. This came up when he began to talk of a friend he had in South Africa that was practically placed on their death bed but out of nowhere they became cured. He said it was the work of God. Of course, me being me I argued that this was not possible. After this encounter, my eyes were opened, and I realized that each and every one of us has our own beliefs, which should be respected. This argument did make me realize the compassion in which Christians, Catholics, etc believe that God is continually present in our everyday life. Once again, this emphasizes the fact that the past does in fact bolster ones faith instead of limiting it.

All in all the premises of every religion is based upon the past. Many question whether or not the past bolsters faith or limits it. I for one believe it bolsters faith because when one wants to argue a spectacle such as the miracle I mentioned above, their argument is based upon past occurrences in the bible or what the bible has preached to them.