On Definitions

Spirituality; Faith; That's what my blog has pretty much taken on as a focus. It's what I dwell on, where my thoughts lead me inexorably day by day.

Religion. It's part of that issue of spirituality and faith. But it's not synonymous. For me, and I highly doubt this is unique or original to me, Religion is the cultic manifestation of a belief system, comprised of the rites and practices associated with a particular set of beliefs, dogma and doctrine. In my view, religion is organizational, comprising a plurality; it's corporate practice that may or may not be rooted in actual belief so much as a desire to belong to something meant to give meaning.

Spirituality, on the other hand, while not excluding the organization or plurality, is concerned with things of the spirit that may or may not involve rite, practice, dogma and doctrine. While belief is not an essential element of religion, it is essential to spirituality. Spirituality is relational to Other. It's how we each, as individuals, relate to that Divine Other.

For many, religion and spirituality are exclusive of each other... or seem to be.

In the USA, we've spent 3 years reeling from an act of violence that, at first, united us like we've seldom been united before, but has ultimately led to great disunion. It was perpetrated by a group of individuals who aligned themselves with a group that proclaims itself to be supportive of a particular religion; indeed they view themselves as perveyors of the truth of that religion.

We Americans buy into this, and thus proclaim that the religion in question is evil, that it is a religion of hate and violence. Educated people of faith from that religion, however, deny these claims, proclaiming their faith to be one of peace, one that we westerners don't understand. Yet, each day more and more acts of violence are performed in the name of said religion, reinforcing for us in the USA the belief that it is the terrorists behind the acts that are the true spokesmen for that religion.

Those of us who are Christian see ourselves as people of peace, that peace is one of the central points our Jesus tried to get across. Yet, people in the mideast who hold to another religion have experienced the vicissitudes of war and oppression that those of nominally Christian background have visited upon them. Around the world, many look at Christianity, and are reminded of forced conversions, and enslavement by Christians. From outside, I suspect, an observer can look at both of these religions and draw the conclusion that neither are religions of peace; both are equally violent, with long histories of killing and acts of inhumanity.

Religions really serve best as focal points for individuals. It is the private spiritual lives of the citizens of this world that matter. I've known muslims who were kind, loving, peaceful people. I know Christians who are the same. I've known, or known of, folks of both religions who are hateful, angry, bitter and vengeful. But when we take the time to get to know each other, and look at how individuals relate to that Infinite, Divine Other, we're all much more alike than we realize. All this can be said of all world religions, I suppose, Buddhist, Hindu, Jew, and a host of others I can't recall to name at this point.

All of us are in process of becoming. Some have chosen a road or path towards becoming kind, loving, peaceful folk striving to live at peace with the world around them; others have chosen a road or path towards lashing out at those who do not hold to their own beliefs, or whom they perceive to have wronged them.

In the long run, I suppose, it's not going to be how I practiced the rites of my religion, but how I interacted with that Divine Other, and the world about me. Can I stand apart from myself and perceive one who has tried to walk with integrity a life pursuing union with Divine Other, or will I see a bitter, angry, and spiteful person who demands of others that which I don't generally live myself?

!snort!

So. There!