Focusing on Life :: Religion & Faith

This week's Focusing on Life prompt from Sally is one of two topics I avoid: religion, the other being politics. Too much blood has been shed through history over these two topics. 

But, since you ask. I will tell you a little about my philosophy about the difference between religion and faith, and in my opinion (of course) what it means to live a good life.

I went searching through piles of old photos this morning trying to find a picture of my paternal grandfather. To no avail. He was a simple man, an incredibly strict man, and one who didn't put a lot of emphasis on the comforts in life. To tell you the truth, I don't think I've ever seen a picture of my father before the age of 18. I don't think there are any because I don't think grandpa would have spent money on something so frivolous.

My grandfather, James Eliel Tuomisto, was born in Jalasjarvi, Finland and at the age of 17 he immigrated to Canada (1917), and then in 1923 over the border to northern Minnesota. He studied in the seminary in Chicago, and started his career in the ministry at the Finnish Congregational Church in Cloquet where he did his sermons in Finn. He was a 'fire and brimstone' kinda guy. If that isn't a term you've heard, click on the link. It is pretty much my grandpa to a tee. Most Scandinavians are Lutheran --- a pretty stark doctrine.

What does any of this have to do with me? Because my dad grew up living in a parish during the great depression. His chores focused to Sunday morning getting the Church ready. That meant sweeping the church out, stoking the fire, and helping to greet the congregation as they arrived. My dad saw religion behind the scenes, as a business. His family truly had nothing. The family lived on the kindness from the parish and what they could spare. My dad tells stories of his mother making onion soup for dinner, by dropping a single onion into a boiling pot and calling that a meal for 6 children. My dad was strict with us, but kind. He had no tolerance for lying, or misbehaving. 

This is something that has stayed with me. My husband and I focus on one rule: do unto others ... it's simple and easy to follow.

To me, religion and going to church (or a synagogue, or a mosque, or whatever you call it) is a way to be with people that believe as you believe. There is comfort in that. But I don't find that to have anything to do with faith. Faith is an inner feeling. It's personal. It's a guiding feeling that takes you through your day. Each day as you make choices. Choices in an environment that is clouded with voices from many opinions. Faith is staying true to yourself and what you believe to be right. But, importantly, respecting someone else's right to do the same. In a word: tolerance. It is simple, and easy to follow. At least in my opinion (of course).