This is one of the great questions of our age. Faith vs. Religion. Which one do we need more of? Is there a difference between them? Can you have one without the other?
To me there is a huge difference between the two. We have all met the Sunday School Christians. You know, those Christians who have the religion (i.e. they go to church on Sundays or as little as Christmas and Easter) but don't have the faith that backs that up. They may believe in God but they do not have the faith in Him. And yes there is many Pagans that fall into this category as well. They celebrate the open Sabbats and worship with the best of them but they don't have the deep faith that others have.
So what is faith? I guess that this is the next question to answer and probably the most important next to the question in the title. Faith is the belief in something greater then the sum of yourself. But it goes beyond just belief or dogma, it is the life altering realization that changes our outlook. It is what makes me Wiccan always. I am just not Wiccan at the Sabbats or in other rituals I am a Wiccan in all parts of my life.
So now that we have defined faith, can one have faith without religion? In other words can a atheist have faith? Is belief in a Divine Presence a requirement for faith? For me the answer is yes to the first and no to the second. I have met atheists that have faith in mankind and the spirit of hope that can arise in man. This can be a powerful motivating force.
So yes we can have faith without religion. And we can have religion without faith. But we cannot survive without faith. If you don't agree, look around at the hopelessness and confusion that is the hallmark of our age. Our youth have nothing to believe in and so they have no drive. They are easily led astray by anyone or anything that promises a better future. Without direction the youth cannot lead themselves, much less the country that they are going to inherit, in a productive direction. A direction of growth and new life.
It is not the lack of God in schools that is the problem, contrary to some people's belief, it is lack of faith in our youth. The push away from organized religion has stripped generations of their faith. And so it is time to bring back faith to our youth.
So stay tuned next week for more posts on faith and family.
Blessed Be!

Update:

Check out these other companion posts:

• Raising Children with Faith
• Bringing Family Together in Faith