Faith is Not Based on Physical Evidence

Religion is a perilous subject to write about. It provokes either anger or benevolence, often at the same instant. That being said, here's a column about religion - be prepared to either be angry or thoughtful.

Recently I saw a television program about the Book of Mormon. What caught my attention was not the coverage of the religion so much as the critical examination of the history behind the actual golden plates that Joseph Smith is said to have been given by the angel Moroni.

Like the stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments, the authenticity of the golden plates, and even the actual physical existence of such artifacts, is more a matter of religious faith than scientific fact. However, unlike mainstream Christianity, scholars of history and theology are outwardly critical of the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or "LDS."

The program's scrutiny of the lack of historical evidence to support the basis for the religion is what caught my attention. Evidence? I had to wonder if the producers remembered that they were talking about a religion.

If physical evidence to prove the existence of a supreme being is what you're after from your faith, you could be in for one major disappointment. Religious beliefs depend on the lack of physical proof in order to be effective in the first place.

Douglas Adams illustrated this point best in his comedy sci-fi novel, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." In the story, God is speaking to a man. "I refuse to prove that I exist," says God, "for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing." How true.

God, Allah, Zeus, or whoever your "god" is, exists primarily because of your faith. If he suddenly appeared in front of you, say in the body of George Burns or Morgan Freeman, you might just start doubting him. The more 'real' he is, the more flawed he, or she, or it, would seem to you.

I am no theologian and I'm not promoting one religion over another. What I am saying, however, is that for one religious group to attack another's validity based on a lack of physical evidence is hypocritical, to say the least.

Continuing with my Mormon vs. Christian example, some Christian religious leaders strongly argue that the Book of Mormon should be denounced primarily citing historical inconsistency. It is important to remember however, that except for geographical locations the "history" recorded in the Bible is, once again, more a matter of faith than fact.

In addition, since no one other than Joseph Smith had ever actually seen the golden plates that he claimed to have translated, skeptics deduce then that he must have been lying about the objects and the message they carried as well.

To this point I would ask Christian leadership if the Pope or anyone else has recently opened the Ark of the Covenant and put together the jigsaw puzzle Moses left behind after smashing the Ten Commandments. My guess would be that no one has done that lately.

The faithful view their particular historical documents, such as the Bible or the Koran, as the word of God, and therefore what is written inside must be the truth - the history - the Gospel. But it really depends on your own perspective. You must have faith in what you believe. Of course, that faith is not based in fact but in personal truth.

It's disappointing to me, though, when the faithful do not practice the forgiving acceptance that they preach but instead come across as closed-minded and judgmental of anything that does not fall along the church doctrines. According to the Bible, Christ believed in kindness, understanding and acceptance and so did most other positive religious figures. Their followers should, in good faith, do the same. To paraphrase Mathew 7:1, "Judge not, that ye be not judged."

Differences in faith have caused more and bloodier wars on this planet than any other single factor. A religious faith can be more powerful than the pursuit of land, riches or love. The fact is, though, that no religion is the 'right' one - except to the individual who believes in it.

Provided that religious leaders are enriching the lives of their followers and teaching morality with a respect for humanity as a whole, all faiths have a place in the world and they are all important to those who believe.

Gery L. Deer is an independent journalist, entertainer and ordained Christian minister. To read more visit www.gerydeer.com