Losing Faith

What is faith? Why is faith so important?


Struggling time and time again, holding on to threads of what is left of my faith. Faith in God, faith in love, faith in humanity. A saying or scripture comes to mind about having as much faith as a grain of mustard seed is enough faith.

Enough faith for what...

Spiritual Suicide

I came across these words in a journal entry I made: Spiritual Suicide. I'm not sure what the entry was about and I doubt that there was a real connection to the words and the entry. Those words still resonate with me though. What is a spiritual suicide? How can you commit spiritual suicide? Growing up in a religious household nurturing the spirit was important. I have to admit that I couldn't imagine not believing in the spirit within us. There is definitely this energy that runs through are body that is it's own entity.

spirit-(as defined by dictionary.com)

–noun
1.
the principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul.
2.
the incorporeal part of humans: present in spirit though absent in body.
3.
the soul regarded as separating from the body at death.
4.
conscious, incorporeal being, as opposed to matter: the world of spirit.
5.
a supernatural, incorporeal being, esp. one inhabiting a place, object, etc., or having a particular character: evil spirits.


There are 25 definitions as to what a spirit is but the first five cover the basic sense in which I'm using it.

So how could you commit spiritual suicide if a spirit is of an alternate world?

Following Orders Ch.14

The Little Prince visits the planet where there is a lamplighter. Of all the people the Little Prince had met so far he felt that at least the lamplighter's life had some meaning.

This chapter kind of ties with the previous chapter. I mentioned how there are many new converts that are left ignorant because no one further nurtures them. All these new converts are merely told to do things and expected to do them, no questions asked. Sure now their lives have meaning, yet they really don't know what that is, they continue to do what they are told. This in unfair and leaves no room for spiritual growth. It could also lead to weariness and doubt over time when little or no results occur. It is sad to see all these lost people just doing what they are told because it sounds good, or what have you, but at least most of the time it's for the better.

Taking Inventory Ch.13

The business man, that the Little Prince encounters, is counting the stars. He says that he is counting to see how many stars he owns. The Little Prince tells the business man that he is of no use to the stars so how can he own them?


Some if not all religions can sometimes be consumed by the number of people they convert. One of my problems with this concept has been, are they really reaching out to these people or just dragging them along for the ride?

I have seen some concern for the well being for the new converts but there is much carelessness when getting the person to convert that the converter soon forgets about them and leaves them on their own to figure out the rest. This tactic leaves many among many of ignorant believers, not knowing all the ropes of the new religion they are involved in. This could also explain why many followers of religions have very little grasp of the big picture and can be easily offended without really knowing what they believe in. Much like the businessman they remain determined they own something yet they have never nurtured or done anything for these things they own.

Endless Cycle Ch. 12

"What are you doing?"
"I am drinking."
"Why are you drinking?"
"So that I may forget."
"Forget what?"
"Forget that I am ashamed."
"Ashamed of what?"
"Ashamed of drinking!"


The Little Prince finds it hard to understand the tippler's logic. The tippler continues this perpetuating cycle that really gets the tippler no where.

Sometimes people find themselves following the traditions of religion yet they don't really believe in many of the doctrines. It is usually because that was how they were raised and the one thing that lingers or pulls them back is the guilt. Which is also an unhealthy cycle and way to go about religion. Religion shouldn't make us feel ashamed of our humanity but rather make us aware of it and what we can do to make us feel better about our human nature.

Some may find themselves going to church every Sunday to feel better about the sins they've committed throughout the week. Others may go to confession to receive the proper penance.



What do these rituals really accomplish spiritually though? Do these become crutches to lean on when we feel like giving into our human nature? Creating the same perpetual cycle as the tippler's?

Get Over Yourself! Ch. 11

"Ah!Ah!I am about to receive a visit from an admirer!"

To all conceited men all other men are admirers. The conceited man will only hear words of praise.

Have you ever tried to converse with someone who was completely self involved? When I think of a conceited man I always look to one of my favorite Disney movies the Beauty and the Beast. Gaston is this narcissistic character who is completely full of himself,only hears what he wants, and expects to get what he wants because he is such a strapping young lad.



Religion can be narcissistic at times. There is this image displayed of such piety and self righteousness and these people believe that everyone should like or respect them because of this. In doing this most new believers or people on the brink of converting will see displays of such piety and become turned off to the religion. I know this has been the case for myself personally on several occasions.

Religions are supposed to be humble and gracious but instead people, most of the time the head figures within that religion, are self-righteous assholes. Pardon my french.



No one, I mean no one likes a self-righteous asshole.

You're a Ruler of What? Ch.10

The Little Prince makes his first stop on a planet where he met a king.

"...the entire planet was crammed and obstructed by the king's magnificent ermine robe."

The Little Prince inquires who the king rules over because there are no subjects in sight. The king claims to rule over the universe but really he rules nothing. He has a false sense of authority. The Little Prince found this quite odd and left.


Most times authority points their finger down at us and we can not question that authority. My favorite example of this is from Matilda.



"Listen you little wiseacre: I'm smart, you're dumb; I'm big, you're little; I'm right, you're wrong, and there's nothing you can do about it!"
-Mr. Wormwood

The king on the planet wasn't as bad as Mr. Wormwood but my point here is why or where does this authority come from? Who are these people actually ruling? Truth is we are our own authority. Sure people will try to tell us what to do, use intimidation, money and power, but they really will never be able to control what we personally decide to do.


Like the good old saying:



You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.