Spritural but not religious?
Despite polls showing that most young people are, at best, indifferent about religion, there appears to be a great deal of interest in spirituality. That's encouraging. Human beings may be wired for spirituality, and it’s reassuring that many people recognize that. They know they need to dig deeper, to refuse to accept that life is only about stuff, power or fame, and to acknowledge that there is much more to life than meets the eye.
A healthy skepticism about religion may be warranted, too, especially today when institutions of all types deserve to be challenged. Eugene Kennedy, a psychologist and former priest, in his book, "Believing," says:
"...It is normal for people to test their belief systems rather than to accept them as on a par with the grandfather's clock and the bracelets or cufflinks that they inherit from their parents. ...They want something substantial to give themselves to, something that matches their joys and sorrows, something that sounds a call to believe deeply rather than just to close their eyes and cling in the deep waters of life to the side of the battered lifeboat of old-time religion.”
Spirituality versus religion
Spirituality means being in touch with something deeper, something bigger, something "out there" or "in here." It means seeing past superficiality and consumerism and adopting lasting values. It may mean learning to meditate, to feel a unity with the universe that frees you from traditional ties and "morality." It means recognizing that humans have a spirit with which you can and should be in contact.
Religion means dogma, rules, archaic traditions, an antiquated language, hypocrisy and in general, being out-of-touch with contemporary society. It means sticking your head in the sand, trying to impose your morality on others, pontificating on subjects of the day. It may mean meaningless distinguishing clothing, headwear, titles, privileges, and endless, boring church services. It signifies a viewpoint that just doesn't resonate in today's society.
Who wouldn't want to be "spiritual" but not "religious?" Me.
Even while I am skeptical about religion, I see a need to be both spiritual and religious. I need one for the other. It's true that being religious without being spiritual signals the hypocrisy that many see in religious people. But being spiritual without being religious may be among the great myths of our age. Can you really be spiritual on your own, apart from the community of believers? Can you be spiritual while ignoring the historical religious figures who "invented" spirituality and the traditions they founded? Can you be sure that your spiritual practices are anything more than exercises in self-absorption?
American individualism
The idea of spiritually "going it alone" may be culturally comfortable with American individualism - the idea that my spirituality has nothing to do with others but is "between Jesus and me," for instance - but it does little to help me avoid self-delusion and self-centeredness. Religion is a communal anchor. It tests our spirituality against time-honored criteria and invites us to be part of a community of like-minded seekers of the spirit.
Religion - though many of its practitioners ignore it – also challenges us to “walk the walk,” and shows us how to do it. It’s one thing to be spiritual, another to live our spiritual lives in service to others. To me, these two are inseparable.
Sure, some people with whom you share a religion are annoying. But you eventually learn to accept them, like adults accepting the annoying kids in your seventh-grade class and sometimes even admiring them. Being part of a religious community reminds you that others, no matter how annoying, have similar problems and challenges and are also children of God. (We’ll discuss social-issue differences we may have with organized religions in other blogs.)
In the case of Christianity, you're talking about a community that in its 2,000 years has seen it all. Despite its blemishes, it has a wealth of understanding about human nature with members who can provide models for how to be spiritual, and religious.
Please pass on the address of this bog to your family and friends. Thanks.
TC
A healthy skepticism about religion may be warranted, too, especially today when institutions of all types deserve to be challenged. Eugene Kennedy, a psychologist and former priest, in his book, "Believing," says:
"...It is normal for people to test their belief systems rather than to accept them as on a par with the grandfather's clock and the bracelets or cufflinks that they inherit from their parents. ...They want something substantial to give themselves to, something that matches their joys and sorrows, something that sounds a call to believe deeply rather than just to close their eyes and cling in the deep waters of life to the side of the battered lifeboat of old-time religion.”
Spirituality versus religion
Spirituality means being in touch with something deeper, something bigger, something "out there" or "in here." It means seeing past superficiality and consumerism and adopting lasting values. It may mean learning to meditate, to feel a unity with the universe that frees you from traditional ties and "morality." It means recognizing that humans have a spirit with which you can and should be in contact.
Religion means dogma, rules, archaic traditions, an antiquated language, hypocrisy and in general, being out-of-touch with contemporary society. It means sticking your head in the sand, trying to impose your morality on others, pontificating on subjects of the day. It may mean meaningless distinguishing clothing, headwear, titles, privileges, and endless, boring church services. It signifies a viewpoint that just doesn't resonate in today's society.
Who wouldn't want to be "spiritual" but not "religious?" Me.
Even while I am skeptical about religion, I see a need to be both spiritual and religious. I need one for the other. It's true that being religious without being spiritual signals the hypocrisy that many see in religious people. But being spiritual without being religious may be among the great myths of our age. Can you really be spiritual on your own, apart from the community of believers? Can you be spiritual while ignoring the historical religious figures who "invented" spirituality and the traditions they founded? Can you be sure that your spiritual practices are anything more than exercises in self-absorption?
American individualism
The idea of spiritually "going it alone" may be culturally comfortable with American individualism - the idea that my spirituality has nothing to do with others but is "between Jesus and me," for instance - but it does little to help me avoid self-delusion and self-centeredness. Religion is a communal anchor. It tests our spirituality against time-honored criteria and invites us to be part of a community of like-minded seekers of the spirit.
Religion - though many of its practitioners ignore it – also challenges us to “walk the walk,” and shows us how to do it. It’s one thing to be spiritual, another to live our spiritual lives in service to others. To me, these two are inseparable.
Sure, some people with whom you share a religion are annoying. But you eventually learn to accept them, like adults accepting the annoying kids in your seventh-grade class and sometimes even admiring them. Being part of a religious community reminds you that others, no matter how annoying, have similar problems and challenges and are also children of God. (We’ll discuss social-issue differences we may have with organized religions in other blogs.)
In the case of Christianity, you're talking about a community that in its 2,000 years has seen it all. Despite its blemishes, it has a wealth of understanding about human nature with members who can provide models for how to be spiritual, and religious.
Please pass on the address of this bog to your family and friends. Thanks.
TC
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