Belove in Gied

RabbiBrian

10.40

Belove in Gied
(this is not a typo)

“Belief in God” is NOT blind acceptance of a force controlling destinies, beyond empirical logic.

Having faith in the non-rational is not the goal.

Religion ought not demand irrational adherence to the non-rational.

The foundation of a healthy spiritual-religious life must be love.

Now, let me explain why I wrote, “Belove in Gied.” People use the phrase “believe in God” all wrong. “Believe in God” is taken to mean we are supposed to toss reason aside. But, that’s not what the phrase was ever supposed to mean.

God

(in any way I can understand the notion of God)

wants us to love others and ourselves.

“Believing” means — or that is the etymology of it and what it used to mean — loving.

Belief means be-loving.

Old English lit. “hold dear, love” (cf. Old Saxon gilobian “believe”), ultimately a compound based on PIE *leubh “to care, desire, love” (see belief)

So, BE-LOVE in God.

And, let it show. Be kind, be compassionate, be understanding, be thoughtful, be caring, be warm, be kind.

When you hear the phrase “believe in God” understand it properly as “be-love in God.”

Spiritual-religious advice:

Be loving.