RELIGIOUS FREEDOM | MARCH 17, 2022

Faith in Action: Why Better Religion Is the Answer to “Bad” Religion

Sikhism has historically defended the rights of individuals to practice their religions freely, even engaging in armed defense of others.

Hinduism believes that ethical living is a keystone on the path to salvation, and that one’s evil deeds create a “debit” that must be repaid before the believer can be free.

Man preparing meal — A man at a Jewish food bank working to provide food for families in need during the pandemic. (Photo by Shawn Goldberg)

Charity is one of the five pillars of Islam, which requires brotherhood with those less fortunate.

In Christian thought, charity is the highest form of love, signifying the reciprocal love between God and man.

So where does religion occasionally get a bad name?

Sister Sharon Eubank, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Charities, recently offered an insightful view of the subject.

“Faith is actually the answer.”

The best antidote, she said, to any ill done in the name of religion is better religion. The solution to extreme Islam is authentic Islam and the best answer to Christian extremism is authentic Christianity. The best works of believers bless communities. Real, authentic faith inspires acts of love and uplift, while distorted belief leads to conflict.

“Faith,” she said, “is actually the answer.”

Woman looking up — Photo by True Touch Lifestyle/Shutterstock.com

She made the remarks in a presentation for a virtual leadership summit hosted by Horasis USA, part of an independent international think tank based in Zurich, Switzerland.

Her church has put its faith into action. Several weeks before the invasion of Ukraine, her charity provided sleeping bags, cots, tents and other supplies to local governments, the Red Cross and other groups helping refugees, and began pre-positioning food and water to service those refugees.

I have friends who are trying to stay safe in Ukraine. I have a personal sense of gratitude to her and her organization for caring for those in need.

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AUTHOR

Leland Thoburn

Leland has been a Scientologist for 45 years. His writings have been published in numerous magazines and literary journals, including Foliate Oak Review, Writers’ Journal, Feathertale Review, Calliope, Vocabula Review and others. Formerly an executive at EarthLink Inc., he works as a business consultant.

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