True Faith or Idolatry?

The following was written in response to a recent posting by blogger Walter Rhett on the now defeated attempt by the religious right in Arizona to codify discrimination against persons whose sexual orientation is different from theirs. This piece was published in the News York Times comment section by Mr Rhett in response to an article written on the same subject by columnist Gail Collins on February 27th 2014.

1. royagraham says:

   27 February 2014 at 3:45 pm

   A faith that validates the insecurities of its adherents is rightly seen as idolatry. It is , as you say, a function of the looking glass syndrome. A faith that challenges us to look beyond our own insecurities toward the building of the kind of community where we see each other in terms of the justice of laws that protect each other’s right to the pursuit of happiness is what ultimately serves us best. That, is a transcendental faith. Hate is a byproduct of the over indulgence of our insecurities. The religion of bigots reeks of its foul presence.

    

Not For Praise or Glory

Each day presents new opportunities to make ourselves and our world better. We should live into these opportunities not for praise or glory, but just to give expression to the virtue that is inherent in that particular desire itself. To give of ourselves in ways that lifts others up is innately fulfilling. To shine a light in the dark spaces around us, is to make our own journeys a little less precarious. There is a certain wisdom in not seeking the limelight that so many others crave. It is the same wisdom that counsels us to the effect that "it is more blessed to give than to receive". Let us give the best of ourselves each day knowing that by doing so we enrich our own lives in ways that no amount of praise or money can.