It seemed appropriate that on Jan. 1 the OBSERVER opinion page featured a commentary "Questions surround faith."
I want to thank the writer for sharing his thoughts when he stated, "I don't believe in the greater being." He went on to explain why he is skeptical.
Surely in our world today there are daily events that can leave one wondering the same thing and asking for answers just like the writer is doing. In fact, I would say it's human nature to have such thoughts. As a rural farm boy raised and schooled in a Catholic environment I know in my heart and in my soul that God does exist. He is always present in our lives and He is always our protector.
However, for the sake of discussion, let's say that because there is no way to know for sure that God does exist let's look at what that might mean for all of us.
We are only on earth for a very short time, maybe as much as 100 years. If we subscribed to what the writer believes then once we are dead, we are dead. There would be no Heaven or hell, just death. So if the writer is correct and he lived his life to the best of his ability then he would be a total success.
What if when we die, Jesus meets us as we transition from one life to the next? What if there is an after life that lasts for eternity? What if doing your best to believe in God meant that you had a shot at eternal life in Heaven? It's seems to me to be a "no brainer."
In the end I have nothing to lose by working to believe in God and possibly everything to gain! What if the people that remain skeptical are wrong?
There are a lot of good people in the world today that for whatever reason just can't come to terms with religion and God. For me, I have been shown God's mercy time and time again in my life. When I have been most in need, I have been cared for. Not always in ways that I would have wanted at the time, but as things turn out I received what was best for my long-term well being.
If today you don't believe in God, please just open your heart and your mind to the possibility that He does exist.
I promise you that to know God is the greatest gift that anyone could ever give you.
I thank my parents, Mary and L. Charles Basinait and my parochial school nuns and priests at St. Joseph's in Albion, New York for instilling in me the gift of faith in God. I also wish Dennis Wilson all the best for the coming year and once again thank him for expressing his opinion.
Joe Basinait is a Fredonia resident.
