Absolutely absolute

Since the start of Kierkegaard we have talked of leaps from the universal to the individual in terms of going beyond reason and the ethical realm. And for the most part it has been brought up in terms of religion or faith. My question is does it always have to include religion while teleologically suspending the ethical? Can't faith encompass multiple things, like a belief in an ideal?

I believe that it does and one can embrace the paradox and immediately leap from the universal to the absolute just as Abraham had done.

Just an example, even though it does not pertain an individual but a state, is the Cold War. Both Russia and the United States believed that their way of life was threatened by the other and that they would perish; so they had to set up perimeters to defend themselves, but both sides also believed that their ideals would crush the others and that they would ultimately win the war. To continue on that note, democracy, also is an ideal many believe in. It calls forth the idea of sovereignty and peoples right to vote for their beliefs but it does not allow them to be put into action if the majority does not believe in your ideals even though you all embrace democracy.

I'm not sure if this all makes sense, or if I'm confusing concepts but if it does please leave your thoughts and I will try and post back accordingly.