Religion and Other Splendid Things

The dictionary says that "Religion" is "supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice." Most people, myself included, don't think of these things when we hear the word "religion." I think of an organization or a set of codes or principles that one is supposed to live by. The very word leaves a bad taste in our mouths. It conjurs up the images of the Crusades or Jihad. It brings to mind persecution and inquisition.

I find it interesting that many in this day and age say they are "spiritual," but not religious. I understand the sentiment and in many ways I agree with it. I will readily confess to you that I am a Christian, but I will also readily admit to you that I'm not very religious in the traditional sense. I have no fondness for the organizations that supposedly run Christianity. I tire easily of the infighting and bickering that happens in my own faith, let alone the internal struggles of the other religions of the world.

For Christians the Bible is our sacred text. If all of those "religious leaders" would read the Bible they would find that it gives its own definition of religion. James 1:27 says, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." Wow, that's a lot different than what we see today. By the way, James was Jesus' brother. He probably had a pretty good idea of what his brother's original intent was.

Jesus himself balked against the traditons of His own faith group, Judaism. He was a rebel when it came to the religious institutions of the day. One of Jesus' disciples, John, said that He came to bring Grace and Truth, not religious institutions.

I don't think that an unguided spirituality is the way to go, but a spirituality guided by the wisdom of the ages is certainly a commendable thing. Jesus himself drew upon the wisdom of others, such as His famous quote, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." which was originally stated by the Buddha.

Spirituality and religion don't have to be mutually exclusive, but as long as the so-called religious leaders are more interested in protecting their own turf, I'm afraid that they will be, and that's a shame.