The Frightening Power of Faith

I heard on the news yesterday that 244 people were crushed during part of the annual Muslim pilgrimage known as the Hajj. The crowds were on their way to take part in a ritual stoning of the devil when it happened. People die every year during the Hajj. It is a dangerous business when so many people (some 2 million total this year according to CNN) come to one place, all for a specific purpose.

The deaths illustrate something for me. I am struck by the faith it must require to make such a long and arduous journey, knowing that people die during the rites almost every year. How fervent their desire to participate must be to push and push with the rest of the people to get to the next stop along the route. It is no wonder to me then that practicing Muslims are so devout.

In most of the Christian world, Christians merge with secular society and, in fact, are greatly influenced by it. It is the world of Islam that more readily seems to seek to live its faith in every aspect of life. My understanding of both faiths is that both are called to practice the faith in everything they do. To do otherwise is to risk being called hypocrite, not only by the world, but by the God we worship. The power of the faith that drives people to take part in sometimes dangerous journeys such as the Hajj is a faith that moves mountains. The deaths are tragic, but we could all stand to learn something from such commitment and zeal.