(no subject)

[curculio]

This is an interesting Op-Ed because it is focuses on deep questions that any one who has gone to church has likely asked themselves as to why those other folk were there. They may or may not have figured out their own motivations. Her opening statement about understanding another person's faith through their choice of questions is brilliant, since it does away with any presumption of what that person knows, understands or holds as conviction. It is a very practical approach, though difficult to draw conclusions. Questions are driven by curiosity and this in turn, is a matter of personality, experience and thought. A consistent pattern of questions like, "why can't I find parking near the church?" could indicate either rock-firm faith or a complete disinterest in the subject. On the other hand, asking how one's words and actions reflect core beliefs is a extremely useful test of faith but is one best asked by the subject and is seldom made explicit to others. Observers can only guess whether it is contemplated . The person may therefore hold a faith but does not act on it. Hence, we tend to judge them on what we think their propositions are based on their affiliations.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/30/opinion/luhrmann-belief-is-the-least-part-of-faith.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=edit_th_20130530&_r=0