Gleeson, Brian Among peoples today, the phenomenon of faith takes many different forms. Beyond the different religious expressions of faith within the great world religions, there exists a variety of other forms and objects of faith. Terence Tilley discusses these around his 'working definition of faith' as a relationship-'the relationship between one and the irreducible energizing source of meaning and centre of value in one's life'. Metaphorically speaking, those dominant sources of meaning, value, and energy for their devotees are their (...) 'gods'. Among those that Tilley identifies are the following: the family, the nation, secular humanism, truth, justice, money, success, pleasure, the body beautiful, power. He suggests that 'discovering our gods' involves asking such questions as these: For what do we live? What energises our life? What would we die for? Why would we die for that? (shrink)

Gleeson, Brian Let me introduce this topic by referring to wise words of Monica Hellwig about the human situation, before delving into the light and inspiration given in the pre-historical Genesis accounts of the sinfulness of human beings, their inclination to evil, and their need for divine deliverance, and especially in its third chapter. Says Hellwig: The reason that grace is absolutely necessary for a good life and for the salvation of each human person is clear. The world in which (...) we live is not one that helps everyone to lead a good life. The world is quite seriously disrupted with wars, class struggles, crimes of violence, crimes of fraud and deceit, racial injustices, and a pervading distrust. Many people in our world feel unwanted and unnoticed, perhaps even rejected by the society that gave them their existence. There are times for even the most fortunate among us when we feel that our whole being is set at cross purposes with the universe. (shrink)