“There are many ways to believe about the force we call god…as many ways as there are flower petals, as many ways as there are thoughts.”
~ Stacey, a.k.a., AnyMommy

I read a beautiful post today and while I will not attempt to match the eloquence with which she addressed such an incredibly personal subject, she has made think (among other things) about how we – and by “we”, I mean “I” – quantify belief and faith.

If I have learned at least one thing in my short 43 years, it is that I cannot – literally and figuratively – speak for anyone else unless possibly given a signed, written statement notarized three ways to Sunday, sealed with incontrovertible DNA and a thorough background check. And even then, I would hesitate profusely before attempting it.

Current world population estimates have us near 7 billion humans on Earth. Seven billion. Seven billion hearts beating at their own pace. Seven billion pairs of eyes seeing, or not seeing, the world through a one-of-a-kind vision. An equal amount of ears listening, or not listening, in some way to seven billion voices speaking seven billion different vocal patterns. Seven billion minds contemplating an exponentially larger number of ideas, thoughts and beliefs. Seven billion singularly singular filters processing it all.

To say there is only one way to be a “believer” seems, well, a bit short-sighted, imho.

However, if that is what someone chooses to believe, then I would hope that same someone would offer respect and courtesy to the other 6,999,999,999 humans in regards to their beliefs.

Just saying…