by Greg Mettler
A group of high school seniors sat in a circle exploring what it means to have faith. One said “belief.” Another said “trust.”
A third ventured a description that others doubtless thought of but hesitated to share, not wanting to seem dismissive of their religious peers or their teacher.
“I think faith is basically choosing to accept something in spite of the fact that it can’t be seen or proven,” the student said. “It’s what you need to have to believe in God or heaven, because no one can prove that they exist.”
I get excited in moments like these. I’m an Episcopal priest, school chaplain and the teacher of this class.
Some students looked toward me nervously when this comment was made, but far from feeling defensive, I brightened at the opportunity to engage my students in a substantive discussion about the value of faith — one that must include questioning at the boundaries of what we can’t see or prove.
I am just now getting caught up on these blog posts -- they are great! Thanks for all your work, Mary Cay! Faith as an active concept -- one that embraces uncertainty, questioning and action --- is certainly different from what I grew up with, but exactly how I view it now and how I hope to impart it to my daughter. I especially love defining faith as 2 parts action and 1 part belief....
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