The Interpersonal Foundation of Faith and Religious Freedom

The Origin of Religious Interrogation

Religion exists only in the person being interrogated. Human existence itself—not only the pain of death or the desire for happiness—provokes a profound interrogation. This questioning necessitates going beyond the demonstrable and opens up to the mystery of transcendence.

Human Existence and the Mystery

Transcendence appears in life from this depth of questioning. The person experiences a supernatural presence, finding the meaning of life through a relationship established with the divine. This relationship illuminates life and gives it sense.

Distinguishing True Religion

It is not every relationship with God that constitutes religion. There are sentiments toward the divine that stem more from fear than from a free, saving surrender. This is often the case with magic and superstition, which seek utility rather than genuine connection.

Freedom as the Core Religious Attitude

Freedom is the key to the religious attitude. The basis of religious feeling is admiration for God and divinity, not fear or the desire for utility. The religious person feels called by God; they recognize that divinity is a great mystery, yet it inspires confidence.

Faith: A Personal Relationship with God

Faith is an experience of personal relationship with God, which initiates the path of belief. This experience is based on trust, friendship, and surrender. It is lived, not merely thought, and involves the whole person. Faith is given only when the person relates to God.

Trust, Conversion, and the Path of Commitment

When a person responds affirmatively to this divine call, the path of faith begins. The first fruit of that response is the believer's conversion. When the person freely decides to take the step of faith, they are not moved by logical proofs, but by trusting and confident support from God, who inspires and sustains their experience.

This launches a path that is not without difficulties and failures, for faith is not always tranquilizing; it requires boldness and strength. The proof of the authenticity of faith is its action and commitment.

Why Belief is Reasonable

Belief is reasonable. It is reasonable because we find many reasons for it, yet none of them are sufficient to establish the truth with absolute necessity. The experience closest to Christian faith, and which therefore makes it reasonable, is the experience of interpersonal relationships. For example, two people who fall in love believe in their mutual love.

Faith Beyond Absolute Rational Necessity

Precisely in the most vital aspects of life, faith is asked for more, and demonstration is asked for less. Faith is not rationally demonstrable. To demand a reason for the necessity of faith in God would be to destroy its fundamentally interpersonal character.

This encounter involves a certain darkness that always accompanies the experience of faith, which, on its positive side, is a manifestation and proof of freedom. Ultimately, beyond all reason or consideration, there remains a personal and free choice, manifested in a faithful response to the call of God. Where there is no rational necessity, there is freedom.

For this reason, Christian faith will always be a mystery, influencing:

• The mystery of human freedom.
• The mystery of God's grace.
• The profound mystery of the interpersonal encounter.