It’s Christmas season. I came across two articles that spark some thoughts on the relationship between love and faith, more generally, morality and faith.
In the first article, journalist Nicholas Kristof asks cardinal Joseph W. Tobin if he could be a Christian if he doesn’t believe in the miracles (e.g. virgin birth of Jesus.) Kristof states that he practices Jesus teaching without believing in the miracles. Reverend Tim Keller’s answer is No. Former president Jimmy Carter’s is Yes. Cardinal Joseph Tobin’s answer is Yes if you remain open minded to God.
In the second article, writer Peter Wehner discussed the relationship between love and faith. From a Christian perspective, love derives from faith. So faith explains morality.
Those discussions raise the question: What is the relationship between love and faith? Is faith necessary for love? From Kristof’s perspective, the answer is no. Or maybe yes, just not Christian faith? This point of view is aligned with Buddhists’ perspective. Moral principles ensures harmony. Karma rewards and punishes actions according to moral principles. Karma interpretation can lead to very extreme views, for example, not eating meat, or only eat roots. Extreme faith can confuse people between love and hate.
Vietnamese song writer, Trinh Cong Son, had an interesting view on love. He stated that love should be treated as a principle on its own. You don’t need faith or karma to love each other. No need to believe or prove or law to govern it. You should treat love like an axiom.
Perhaps, love and faith intermingle. They continue to adapt and change with our understanding of the world.
