Crossed

A Local Pastor and a Local Atheist Debate Faith vs. Action – Does One Minimize the Other?

Oct. 21, 2016

Rev. Dr. William C. Myers

Senior Pastor at Presbyterian Church of Traverse City

"Why won’t they mention his faith?," I wondered, reading over a dozen stories about the "Santa of Syria," Rami Adham.

The stories tell of his extraordinary humanitarian work with the people of Syria, bringing toys and medicine to the children of Aleppo. They tell of the danger he faces from government and rebel forces, Russian airstrikes, as well as ISIL and Shia militias. But the stories don’t mention his faith.

About six times every year since the civil war began, Adham has taken food, medicine, and drinking water across the border. Then one day his daughter asked him to take some of her toys to the children of Aleppo. Having seen the joy on the children’s faces, he has been taking toys, about 1,000 dolls and teddy bears ever since. Why?

All the stories speak of Adham’s deep and abiding sense of duty for the people of his home town.

But is that it? Fifty hours, through ten countries, six times a year into the most dangerous city in the world for the love of his hometown? Adham must be a man of faith.

But what faith? His names offer little insight. Rami and Adham are popular Arabic names with Hebrew derivations "Abraham" and "Adam." His countries of origin and residence are not much help. He could be Christian, Muslim, Jew, or Secular Humanist. Does it even matter?

Some would say no. As long as he loves, what difference does it make?

But beliefs lead to acts. Acts reflect true beliefs. The question isn’t "what faith?" The question is "what is that faith teaching?" Some faiths teach people to hate. Adham’s taught him to love. It matters!

GARY’S RESPONSE

Bill, the stories don’t mention his faith because it is irrelevant. You state that "Adham must be a man of faith." I suspect he is a man who has faith that the joy he is bringing to others will continue to reward him with the incredible satisfaction that comes from simply helping others. Yes, beliefs lead to acts and acts reflect true beliefs. There is no religion or otherworldly god required.

To assume that some religious affiliation is a prerequisite to human generosity and kindness is quite naïve, in my opinion. For a growing number of us, there is no connection whatsoever. We believe in the concept of good without god. They are not mutually exclusive terms!

I have a lot more respect for those who help others simply because they feel compelled to do so by natural law than for those who do so hoping to curry favor with some deity. If more of those who robotically engage in religious practices would emulate actions such as Adahm’s, imagine how much goodwill could occur.

Gary Singer

Gary helps businesses with their Internet marketing. He was raised a Catholic.

One of my many issues with organized religions today is how little they resemble what we perceive to be their origins. Although Christianity is supposedly based upon the life of Jesus, that belief system today is a far cry from the customs and practices of the Middle East 2,000 years ago.

Times change and if organized religion expects to survive, it had better learn to adapt.

My position is that much of current Christianity in America and the rest of the world spends too much energy on faith in biblical teachings and conformity to ancient cultural beliefs and too little working on finding common ground on pressing social issues like abortion, LGBT concerns, racial equality, income disparity, the environment, etc.

Maybe it’s time to set aside the Bible and begin to rely upon current norms and behaviors to govern our lives. People who demean women, gays, and other races – a current presidential candidate immediately comes to mind – and use antiquated religious texts as justifications are every bit as complicit as any other racist, sexist, or homophobe.

Faith is a cornerstone of every theistic religion. In simplistic terms, it is the unbridled belief that what we have been taught is true irrespective of facts or evidence. Religious faith goes even further; it stipulates that followers who refuse to accept the untenable positions laid out thousands of years ago, with little application to today’s norms and customs, face eternal suffering after they die. I suggest we all have more faith in proven ways to improve our lives and if it comes at the expense of religious dogma, so be it.

BILL’S RESPONSE

Gary, your experience does not a Christian make! Christianity focuses on Christ – how he treated people, the wisdom of his teachings, the sacrifices he made – not the food he ate or the social customs of his time. We live in the 21st century, not the 1st. Christians embrace and create scientific discovery and social progress. Christians look much like everyone else. Our connection with Christ is our transformation by the Spirit and Word of the Living God to be more like Christ. As Christ welcomed outcasts and loved the unlovable"¦ as Christ befriended the lonely and brought hope to the hopeless"¦Christians around the world are still doing these things and more, seeking to love as Christ loves. Our beliefs lead us to this life.

Gary and Bill agree that, whatever their beliefs, they are dead without works that benefit the common good.