Does Your Faith Pass the L.I.V.E. Test?

Welcome, L.I.V.E. Pathfinders.

Throughout human history, faith has been one of our most powerful forces. It has inspired breathtaking art, built compassionate communities, and provided countless souls with a profound sense of purpose and peace. It has been a wellspring of love and light.

Yet, we must also be honest. In the name of that same faith, wars have been waged, communities have been shattered, and great evil has been committed. Dogma has been twisted into a weapon, and scripture has been used to justify hatred.

How can the same source produce such different outcomes?

The answer lies not in the faith itself, but in our discernment. It lies in our ability to distinguish between a spirituality that elevates the human soul and an ideology that diminishes it. We need a way to test the spiritual path we are on.

This is why I developed the L.I.V.E. Spiritual Discernment: a universal compass for religious discernment. It consists of four simple but profound questions that can help any person, of any creed, determine if their faith is leading them toward their highest self, or down a path of shadow.

Let’s explore the four pillars of this vital test.

Pillar 1: The Test of LOVE (The Antidote to Loathing)

The Shadow of Faith: When religion is used to justify Loathing. This is the root of sectarian violence, bigotry, and condemnation. It creates an “us vs. them” mentality, teaching that our connection to God requires us to disconnect from, or even hate, those who believe differently.

The L.I.V.E. Discernment: A healthy spiritual path must lead to an expansion of love. It must be a force for connection, not division.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Does my faith, or its interpretation by my leaders, make me more loving, compassionate, and empathetic toward all people, especially those outside my tradition?
• Does it teach that the ultimate expression of piety is kindness, or is it rigid adherence to rules, even at the expense of compassion?
• Does my faith lead me to build bridges or to build walls?

A faith that genuinely connects you to the divine will never demand that you disconnect from your shared humanity. – Ola Akinwe

Pillar 2: The Test of INSPIRATION (The Antidote to Inhibition)

The Shadow of Faith: When religion becomes a system of Inhibition. This happens when faith is reduced to a set of fear-based rules designed to control behavior rather than to inspire growth. It stifles curiosity, punishes questions, and crushes the human spirit under the weight of guilt and shame.

The L.I.V.E. Discernment: A healthy spiritual path must Inspire you. It should breathe life into your soul, awaken your sense of wonder, and empower you to become the best version of yourself.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Does my faith fill me with a sense of awe and possibility, or does it primarily make me feel fearful, guilty, or small?
• Does it encourage me to ask difficult questions and seek deeper understanding, or does it demand blind obedience?
• Does my spiritual practice feel like a joyful act of connection or a heavy burden of obligation?

True spirituality is a wind in your sails, not an anchor holding you down. – Ola Akinwe

Pillar 3: The Test of VALUE (The Antidote to Vilification)

The Shadow of Faith: When religion is used to Vilify others. This is the act of stripping others of their sacred worth by labeling them “infidels,” “heretics,” or “unbelievers.” It creates a spiritual hierarchy where one group is seen as chosen and pure, while others are deemed unworthy or evil.

The L.I.V.E. Discernment: A healthy spiritual path must affirm the inherent Value and dignity of every human being. Most of the world’s great traditions share a version of this truth—that every person carries a divine spark.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Does my faith teach that all people are created with inherent worth, or does it teach that the worth of a person is dependent on them sharing my beliefs?
• Does it lead me to see the humanity in those I disagree with, or does it encourage me to dehumanize them?
• Does my faith call me to serve and respect all members of my community, or only those who belong to my group?

You cannot honor God by dishonoring God’s creation. Every human being is sacred ground. – Ola Akinwe

Pillar 4: The Test of EDUCATION (The Antidote to Exploitation)

The Shadow of Faith: When religion is used as a tool of Exploitation, which is always fueled by ignorance. This happens when leaders demand followers to stop thinking critically. They may isolate followers from outside information, take sacred texts out of their historical context, or twist teachings to manipulate people for power, money, or control.

The L.I.V.E. Discernment: A healthy spiritual path must encourage Education and wisdom. It trusts that truth can withstand scrutiny and that a curious, informed mind is an asset to a deep faith, not a threat.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Does my faith tradition encourage me to learn about its history, to study its texts in their proper context, and to understand the world around me?
• Am I encouraged to learn about other faiths to build understanding, or am I told to fear them?
• Is there a difference between education (learning how to think) and indoctrination (being told what to think) in my community?

A faith that is true does not fear questions. – Ola Akinwe

A Compass for the Soul’s Journey

This L.I.V.E. Spiritual Discernment is not a destination, but a compass for your ongoing spiritual journey. It is not a tool for judging others, but a mirror for ensuring your own path is one of integrity.

When we commit to navigating by these principles—Love, Inspiration, Value, and Education—we become agents of healing in a fractured world. We can then engage in the vital work of interfaith dialogue, not as a debate to be won, but as a gathering of souls seeking to understand one another.

Let us trust this compass. Let us choose a path of spiritual vitality over religious dogma, and in doing so, help heal the divisions that have wounded our world for far too long.

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