Meet my Soul

"I know what you're saying, " I said, "but I believe that..."
"Ok. Stop right there," said my Soul. "We can't go on with this conversation."
"Why?" I asked her.
"Because you said 'I believe,' and when you use the word 'believe,' you speak with such firm conviction it leaves no room for an exchange of ideas. Belief is beyond reproach. It digs deeply inside oneself to discern what one truly commits to."
"Then how am I supposed to express my opinion or thoughts on the subject?"
"Just like that...give your opinion. Your opinion is open to discussion because it is created on the basis of accumulated knowledge. Your belief, on the other hand, is your credo, and your credo is based on a conviction of faith. It manifests as the ultimate reality. How do you think wars were started? " she continued.
"Because of MY belief?" I asked in disbelief.
"No, not yours, but of beliefs of unshakable faith. Belief is founded in religion. Unshakable. Belief is rooted in faith, and faith almost always implies certitude even when there is no evidence or proof. So how can I have a converstaion with you when you state 'I believe?' You allow me no room for an intellectual exchange that could lend credence to either side of the conversation." She pouts.

My Soul is young. Do I tell her that religion is NOT about believing things? Do I tell her that religion is about behaving differently instead of deciding whether you believe in God or an ultimate deity? Do I tell her that the cause of our present woes is not religious but political, due in fact to religious illiteracy? I decide to let it be. Besides, I wasn't going to take a chance at starting a war!

So , this I humbly speak...... with faith.