Is Love Stronger Than Faith?
Should I start this off with a question? Or, should I speak what is on my mind? How about both: is love stronger than religious faith? Ah, such an entertaining topic this is, one that reveals the real plumage of certain people as well as the inner cogs that make them tick. Well, is it? Is love stronger than faith, the very faith that has been been intertwined into a person’s sheer being probably since birth? Tell me, I am dying to know.
A person can claim to be religious and be devoted to their God, but when that same person falls in love with someone of a different religion, what happens then? Do things not change? The scripture is different, the beliefs are different, the culture is different, the Gods are different… I can only wonder, is love strong enough to fill such deep gaps? Ah, if it were only so simple to convince the world, and to convince me, in particular (wagging finger, no-no). A person claims a religion, a religion they practice and follow, but are they following it all the way? Are they following it all the way if they love someone of another religion, who worships a different God? I find such things highly interesting. I ask again, does the love for a person exceed the love of a person’s deity and religious teachings? I honestly believe so. In fact, I have seen it. It happens all the time. It is not my place to judge, but it is irresistible not to observe. It is irresistible not to form an opinion. I like observing and being logical, but, unfortunately, I find such things illogical. Perhaps I suffer from a flawed mentality, one that prohibits me from seeing the big picture. Yes, it is probably me that is the problem.
If a Buddhist man and a Catholic woman fall in love, does it not compromise their relationship? It can probably work if both of them were not religious or a non-practicing Buddhist or Catholic. In fact, I can only see such a union possible in such a scenario. Yet, when both parties are zealously devoted to their religion, I do not know what to think, so I form an opinion. If a Muslim man and a Christian woman fall in love, how does that work? Islam prohibits a relationship with non-Muslims and Christians that are in a relationship with Jesus still fall for someone that does not adhere to the Holy Bible. One believes in the Prophet and the other in Jesus. They can both worship independently, but where is the line drawn? Is it feasible to only follow parts of the Bible or the Koran, and not others? You can’t eat pepperoni, but you can date a Christian? To this I say, how convenient. If you walk under the banner of a religion, follow it all the way or not at all. In my eyes, many times the love of a person does, in fact, surpass the love of their God. People may counter that it is not true, but I know better.
If I may end this with a quote from the film, Kingdom of Heaven.
“I put no stock in religion. By the word religion, I’ve seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called ‘The Word of God!’… Holiness is in right action – and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves… And by what you decide to do everyday, you will be a good man – or not.”
I think I am a good man, but there is always room for improvement.
May 12th, 2009 at 7:41 am
Well the scripture says that of faith, hope, and love, love is the greatest. I’m not sure if that really gets to the core of what you’re asking though. Whether or not love is stronger than faith depends on whether or not the person chooses it to be. To love is a verb. To run is a verb. Whether or not I run faster than I swim is totally up to me.
Yes, you can genuinely and rightfully love someone who believes differently. But the real question is, “Should you?” Should you even enter into such a relationship in the first place. If you find yourself in such a relationship without even trying, why is that? Relationships form naturally in areas of your life that are important to you. If you see you’re developing the wrong relationships, maybe you need to change what is important.
May 10th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
It is fascinating, this topic is. I had been meaning to write about it for quite some time. It is deep, like an abyss. I feel like I am missing something, a piece of the puzzle, remaining as elusive as ever. I dislike not knowing the truth. As you say, love overcomes religious differences on most fronts… sorry to women out there, but it is a man’s world, and as such, women will usually give way to what the man wants. When women fall in love with a man, a man can easily take advantage of their state, for better or worse. As a matter of fact, many people change due to the person they are with, also for better or worse… is that not sad, to lose your very identity for a person? True, it does not happen to everyone… but maybe that is another gap filled in by love.
People say I think too deep into things that I should not… but I can’t help but see how things are and to question them.
May 10th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
I think it’s simpler than having to draw a line between religion and love. Religion gives us the opportunity to love, and that too, love unconditionally. I’ve been under the impression that faith alone is a testament of love, so in a sense (as crude as it sounds), religion provides us with an early “practice.” Though I doubt many consider the term “love” to have the same connotation when referring to a deity versus a spouse, I’ve never heard of a religion explicitly deny the truth of another religion; therefore, an individual should have no credible say-so in assessing another person’s religion. So in short, I think love overcomes religious differences on most fronts… except some pivotal ones (ie, what religion will the child take on if, as in your example, the father is Buddhist and the mother is Catholic?)
Great topic!