GL 350: Prompt 3 "Does the past limit or promote faith?"

                This topic is very interesting because of the different viewpoints on the subject. As time goes on, the time between the events that created certain religions has gotten farther and farther pushed back in time. The question is whether or not that amount of time has promoted, or subsequently limited our faith. The answer will vary from person to person depending how it is looked upon.

                My position is that faith has been limited by the past. Those that lived in the time of Christ had the first-hand experience of the events that led up to Christianity. Being there when Christ rose from the dead is obviously much more convincing than having the story being passed down thousands of years. Smiles on page 94 says that “The whole point is to change the orientation of their souls, even though they are still confirming the foundations of their beliefs.” This quote really explains some things in relation to the subject. It is much easier to believe events that happen when you witness them first hand, rather than having the story be passed down or read it in a book (the bible). Faith is what it comes down to if you did not witness the events first hand. As time goes on, faith must become stronger which is why I believe that faith is hindered by the past. We must rely on the word of God to promote our faith rather than our own experiences (although God still does work in our world today).

                History does have its ways of subtle promotion. In chapter 5 of Barzini he talks about Saint Peters Basilica and how it is the biggest one. It is undoubtedly an impressive place of worship where many people confirm their faith and new followers of Christ form their beliefs based on being in the presence of such an immense place of worship. The point is that those places of worship were created for a reason. The faith that people have in God has lead them to create these places of worship. God does have his way of promoting faith and Jesus Christ was the main example of this which is the sole purpose people believe. Being at the event where Christ rose from the dead, witnessing the event would leave nobody skeptical. As time goes on though, more skeptics arise because of the lack of first hand experience of such an event. Faith has been hindered by the past in this way but is not totally destroyed. Large churches, big masses, singing choirs, etc.. all promote the faith in which we have today. God is still performing miracles in each of our lives even though we may not notice it at the time. These examples are how faith is restored and refreshed for us even though it has been hindered by time.