An Abiding Faith in Democracy’s Power
After reading Jonathan Sacks’ commentary, “Religion’s Eternal Life” (Nov. 19), I wished he had expanded more on his key premise. In describing why the world began to reject theocracy in the 18th century, he states, “men and women of goodwill lost faith in the ability of religious believers to live peaceably with one another.” This a remarkable observation because it marks the point in history where the world split into two camps: Those who were sure they were right, and those who weren’t so sure.
Theocracies are driven by dogmatic, uncompromising belief systems, while secular governments are more tolerant and accommodating. A democratic leader is, by definition, unsure of his decisions. He seeks the counsel of others, considers opposing views and frequently agonizes over the consequences of his decisions. His self-doubt governs his behavior, while the people who “know” have no such inhibiting mechanism.
Only those who are totally certain of their place in heaven can strap on a suicide vest and blow themselves up on a busy street crowded with women and children. A person uncertain of his salvation, or even of God’s existence, is more likely to seek understanding and place a higher value on his or her life.
The great irony here is that the person who is unsure is the one who is acting on faith, because real faith cannot exist without a seed of doubt.
John Johnson
Encino
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The religious view of secular culture is neither irredeemably decadent nor effete. Sacks’ observation of all three trajectories are based on three different times and spaces of social upheaval.
Unfortunately, the materialism, loss of spiritualism and military and violent solutions of the 21st century have added another dimension to the Internet and media coverage of mass power, political dissension, human rights and economic domination. Religion is a private affair for every person and will lose its efficacy as soon as humanity realizes the fertility of democracy, fairness, justice and mutual love and shuns hatred and violence.
Neared Mohanty
Huntington Beach
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As long as poverty, inequality, hunger, depression, racism, illness, desperation, old-age suffering and many other evils obstruct man’s well-being, religion will be alive. Not only for those in need, but it’s an instrument of control for those in power who find religion a useful device to make people passively accept the inexorableness of their misery.
Berta Graciano
Beverly Hills