What Is Religiosity?

What is religiosity?

It is nothing more, and nothing less, than the belief that there is a Creator greater than oneself, whose faith in humanity is worthy of ours.

There is a duality of faith: God's, and our own.

Neither is necessarily borne out at any given time. But both are essential for religiosity.

Americans are among the most religious of people. We are people of faith and distinction. The reasons, it seems to me, are clear: Only those of faith can bring order to a continent and pioneer a nation from the mere wilds to civilization.

Americans always have been a self-selected lot.

And so it is with our faith -- we have faith in God because we know that God has faith in ourselves. We know that faith matters, and things are done in God's name only if they deserve it. Faith is a difficult burden as well as a joyful avocation. We know the power of faith.

Are some of us Babbitts, wearing our religiosity on our sleeve? Yes, and woe betide those who say, "Jesus this, and God that", and all the while do nothing to justify God's faith.

For faith is a two-way street, and if our faith is empty because it mocks that of God, then why should we be surprised if, in the end, we fail?

Religiosity is that which enlivens and empowers us. It makes us proud to be who we are.

And God bless this country that believes in Him, for we shall gain tenfold the personal sacrifices we make in His name.