Focus on deeds, not words
Nancy Lee Cecil, Baha’i teacher
Nancy Lee Cecil Nancy Cecil
In a recent conversation with an older gentleman about religion, he volunteered that, as an orphan during the war in Germany, he had been sent to parochial schools. He had become disillusioned with religion, observing much ritual and prayer but little concern to help those struggling.
His comments resonated with a problem I have about any religion where proponents are “… busy praying in their churches while folks are dying on their lawns”! While this is sometimes (figuratively) the case, I assured my friend that the issue is with adherents misconstruing religion’s purpose; indeed, the founders of every religion stress deeds over words.
Consider the following quotes:
Baha’i Writings: “Let deeds, not words, be your adorning.”
The New Testament: “…do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16).
The Quran: “… if there is a good deed, Allah multiplies it and gives from Himself a great reward” (4:40).
[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.rgj.com/story/life/2021/03/04/what-problem-religion-faith-forum/6914070002/#:~:text=Although%20lot%20of%20literature%20has%20been%20produced%20highlighting,use%20as%20a%20tool%20for%20control%2C%20unsophisticatedness%2C%20etc.[/URL]
