The Age, January 4, 2005

The tragic tsunami has encouraged most religious leaders to encourage their flock to maintain their faith. Yet the challenge for people of faith of whichever religion is not that they believe , but what do they choose to do as a result of that belief.

When their religion preaches love yet seems to allow or condone hate, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches mercy, yet seems to allow or condone cruel intolerance of fellow man, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches goodness, yet seems to breed greed, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches kindness, yet seems to breed insensitivity to the plight of billions, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches tolerance, yet seems to breed intolerance, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion promises redemption, yet seems to deliver misery, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches inclusiveness, yet seems to practice profound exclusionism, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches justice, yet seems to be unjust, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches honesty, yet seems to be dishonest, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches the sanctity of children, yet the representatives of some of those religions prey on young children, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches the sanctity of life, yet some knowingly sit idly by while millions of people die under their noses, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches morality, yet some hide the immoral practices of their representatives, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches the honour of their representatives, yet their representatives sin by their own standards, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

When their religion preaches their role as servants of God, yet they defy their God's 'message' in order to ensconce and protect their sinecure, what do the people of faith choose to do about it?

Having faith is admirable, even when that which you have faith in is indefensible: what you do through your faith however, is more important that faith alone.