Infidels don't have souls

After a semester of reading journals, I am more than excited to get back to my home turf: the blog. Although actually getting this post up was a strenuous process, it feels so good to be home. With all of that out of the way, let's jump into the text!

"for although to us, the faithful, it be sufficient to hold as maters of faith, that the human soul does not perish with the body, and that God exists, it yet assuredly seems impossible ever to persuade infidels of the reality of any religion, or almost even any moral virtue, unless, first of all, those two things be proved to them by natural reason."

This quote ranks up there with my all time favorite quotes from honors literature. Why? Because it's just as relevant now as it was when it was written. In this context, the word 'infidel' means someone without any religious beliefs, or with beliefs differing from one's own, as opposed to a terrorist with a gun and a turban. While the two are not mutually exclusive, I felt that clarification might have been necessary considering that I was picturing myself having a theological debate with a turban-wearing, gun-wielding, long-bearded "infidel" when I read it.

We can't hope to change the minds of others about moral issues if they don't believe in God, or even that the soul and body are separate. If you don't believe that the soul and body are separate, that means that you must believe that after death there is nothing. I.E. Earthly consequences for actions are all you will receive, and once you die , you won't be rewarded or punished, you will just cease to be. Without believing in God, there is no higher authority to answer to than humans, and therefore there is no fair way to decide what morals need to be upheld, as one human's opinion should not be valued greater than another. Because of these two things, convincing an 'infidel' of anything related to morality or spirituality is next to impossible.

In a country full of 'infidels', how can we hope to impress the correct morals and virtues into society? The first thing we have to do is go back to the basics, and address the issues of God and the soul. Only then can true progress be made.

So, what did we learn today? That infidel doesn't necessarily mean muslim terrorist? That blogspot hates me? That having four questions at the end looks a lot more aesthetically pleasing than just having three? All good answers.

Tune in next week for… whatever we're reading next week.

P.S. I commented on Danielle's