I find the whole sola fide (that’s Latin for “faith alone”) to be — to use a religious turn of phrase — to be pure horseshit. I’ve met more than my share of people who are devout followers of their particular higher power who use their faith as a cudgel with which to beat anyone they think of as “other” or “lesser.”
My particular take is that good isn’t something you are, but something you do.
Or, to borrow Bojack Horseman’s take on that classic excuse for bad people (“This person may come off as terrible, but deep down, they’re good”)…
![Comic by Jen Sorensen featuring a lecturer and audience member.
Lecturer: “In conclusion, America must ban immigrants from interior nations and instead celebrate European culture.”
Audience member: “You mean you support a strong social safety net?”
Lecturer: “Er, no.”
Audience member: “Excellent high-speed train systems?”
Lecturer: “No.”
Audience member: “Universal health care?”
Lecturer: “No.”
Audience member: “Liberal democracy?”
Lecturer: “No.”
Audience member: “Respect for science and the Paris Climate Accord?”
Lecturer: “No.”
Audience member: “Generous vacations and paid family leave?”
Lecturer: “No.”
Audience member: “Bicycle-friendly cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen?”
Lecturer: [Dark cloud over head] “LOOK, I MEAN I LIKE WHITE PEOPLE, OKAY?”
Audience member: “Oh, right.”](https://www.joeydevilla.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/strong-european-culture.png)