GL 350 Journal 3. Past Bolster or Limit Faith?

All three of the major religions of the west are undeniably linked by a common origin. We share the same God, the same father, Abraham, but all differ in ways we practice and interpret faith. Despite which denomination one follows, they all lead to the same ending; Salvation. These prominent religions in the western world rely on longstanding beliefs that have dominated ideas followed today. As time progresses on a headword march, some ideas get lost or are skewed in the process. This can cause the past to limit faith by causing groups to take religion in a malicious direction, which each faith has a history with. Despite the issues that have plagued past actions of religious leaders of all beliefs, history has a way of bolstering faith.

The basilicas of Rome are without a doubt remarkable structures build for the purpose of worship. As a Catholic tourist who has never seen a church as impressive as the ones on our trip, I find myself in awe at the very sight of the silhouette of St. Peter’s Basilica. For a pilgrim from a small village centuries ago to see the colossal square from a distance would be an awe inspiring experience. The impressive craftsmanship on a grand scale would leave the traveler feeling so small and in shock that man can accomplish such an amazing feat. I can say for myself that I wonder the same question as to how men could build such an imposing structure.  The interior layout consisting of sculptures and religious paintings easily impress its admirers. For those who are strong in their faith, any Church in Rome would have a spiritual effect on them that could reassure their faith.

The longstanding beliefs of the Catholic faith have been guided by teachings that can be traced back more than 2,000 years. These traditions have built a sense of morality look to guide people on how we should live our daily lives. Saint Paul tells us, “Let us live decently as people do in the daytime: no drunken orgies, no promiscuity or licentiousness, and no wrangling or jealousy. Let your armour be the Lord Jesus Christ.” These past teachings of Saint Paul in his letters are seen as guidelines on how we should live our lives today. However, mankind is not perfect and we will often sin and forget ourselves. The way we should live our lives in a morally just manner have been taught by our faith for many centuries before us. Seeing them carried out today in a world riddled with injustice and sin can certainly strengthen ones faith in God.

Despite all the good the past can do for faith, mankind has made countless grave mistakes that can harm faith. The Crusades were Holy Wars fought between Catholic Europe and the Islamic people in the Middle East starting in 1095. Pope Urban II ordered the First Crusade to take the Holy Land through a military campaign to control Jerusalem. This conflict caused hundreds of thousands of European Roman Catholics to fight wars and establish strongholds so the Christians can have access to the Holy Land. The Crusades were a failure that often resulted in Rival kings engaging in political battles to gain advantages over their competition rather than working together in. The Byzantines lost much of their territory to the Muslims and Crusader armies that pillaged their land so they can resupply on the long journey to the Middle East. These battles became riddled with extreme turmoil that ended up causing countless people to die. A possible spark for the Crusades was the Muslim invasion of Spain that occurred in sometime in 700 A.D. They managed to conquer half the Mediterranean aside from Europe, eventually expanding into Spain. Such aggressive conquest is believed to be one of the reasons The Crusades even happened.

The animosity that occurred between western religions was a result of a few corrupt people only interested in their own gain. The Popes that waged the Holy Wars along with the kings that squabbled over domination cannot be the ones to judge how the past dictates faith. The teachings we believe come from a higher power, God, which greatly outweigh the limits place on faith by human nature. Too many good people have carried faith through teachings, tradition, architecture, and love to let it be spoiled by human mistakes. Everyone sins, it’s in our nature. We cannot allow past follies to spoil faith for a society that relies on it.