Spirituality is for people who have already been there.
Correct. In often think people that do not beleive in God just haven't been through something hard enough. Watching my daughter go through near death experiences during cancer treatment cemented my faith
You sir earned a buyer of your book with this post. I’ve gone through much the same process in my life with compelled religion as a child, a distaste for what it represents, but a continual discovering of the spark ⚡️ that is unexplainable by any human IQ. “There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy” - the great Billy
Plenty of brilliant people are religious, but these days they are quiet about it because it is not socially acceptable. My parents were anti-religion intellectuals and so I was lucky to come around younger.
Religious observance is about service more than anything else. Without organization it is very difficult to efficiently serve lots of people through things like humanitarian aid. We are forced into contact with people we would never otherwise meet and can learn to appreciate them, including some very annoying people. I was shocked at how many people at Dirtcon were religious when I went my first year. They were not overt about it, it came out in quiet ways, like the one who was a scout leader in a troop another attendee was in as a kid. I think we can also sort of sniff each other out, there were people I would bet money were religious who never said a peep.
You are right, spirituality is more important than attending any church, but religion can also have an important place in some of our lives. Because of my upbringing, this came as a shock to me.
People go the church/temple for all kinds of reasons, it's not my job to determine of judge what those reasons are. The question is why am I there and do I fit into the spiritual community I am looking for. It's not unreasonable for someone to go "church shopping" to find a community of faith that better suits them. In the Jewish religion, how one behaves in accordance with G-d's laws is more important than how deep is your belief. Good people congregating together to worship, reinforce good behavior, and provide support in times of trouble is powerful. Lots of folks out there who call themselves "spiritual" yet behave poorly with no clue why.
"When I went back, in South Carolina, I saw things that I didn’t see before. I saw people who wanted to be seen as being devout, rather than actually being devout. Politicking."
So true. I noticed this growing up in the Catholic church when I was young. Lot of posturing. Loads of ego. It made me actually quite appreciate a pianist in the church that was very talented and so very obviously absent of ego.
I've also seen it in almost every so-called spiritual group or gathering I've been to in my life. The egos. The acting. People wanting to be recognized by and/or hold power over other human beings rather than trying to actually partake and share in something deep and greater than us. These behaviors really kill it for me.
Anyway, similar to Jared I also do not go to church any more, nor do I believe that the Bible is the word of God, nor that the Christian God is the "one true God"... But I am spiritual. At the end of the day spirituality is a very personal thing, that needs no crowds or outside observations or accolades. This is a good piece. Thanks Jared.
Thanks for this piece Jared. It reminded me of an Emily Dickenson poem I read back in college, a few years after I had turned away from the Catholic church I was raised in. Here it is:
I really appreciate this essay and agree with almost all of it. The one thing I would argue with is that faith means belief without evidence. I would argue that faith is belief without proof.
"I believe there are phenomena which are unexplainable and beyond the comprehension of any human brain." - The older I get, the more I feel the same way.
Well said. IMHO, the term 'spriituallity' is too ambiguous. But 'religiousity' conotes dogma. I conclude that God will not be confined nor will God be mocked. God is God and I am not.
Why do bad things happen to good people? I don't know, ask Job. What is the meaning of life? Ask the Teacher in Ecclesiastes. We are created to be in community. The failed response to Covid proved this truth.
You sir earned a buyer of your book with this post. I’ve gone through much the same process in my life with compelled religion as a child, a distaste for what it represents, but a continual discovering of the spark ⚡️ that is unexplainable by any human IQ. “There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy” - the great Billy
This is a rather beautiful (not to mention unexpected!) piece of writing. Thank you.
Spirituality is for people who have already been there.
Correct. In often think people that do not beleive in God just haven't been through something hard enough. Watching my daughter go through near death experiences during cancer treatment cemented my faith
You sir earned a buyer of your book with this post. I’ve gone through much the same process in my life with compelled religion as a child, a distaste for what it represents, but a continual discovering of the spark ⚡️ that is unexplainable by any human IQ. “There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy” - the great Billy
Powerful thoughts. Good job, and keep the faith.
Fantastic essay, Jared. I didn't know how much I needed to read it. Thank you <3
Wow!
Plenty of brilliant people are religious, but these days they are quiet about it because it is not socially acceptable. My parents were anti-religion intellectuals and so I was lucky to come around younger.
Religious observance is about service more than anything else. Without organization it is very difficult to efficiently serve lots of people through things like humanitarian aid. We are forced into contact with people we would never otherwise meet and can learn to appreciate them, including some very annoying people. I was shocked at how many people at Dirtcon were religious when I went my first year. They were not overt about it, it came out in quiet ways, like the one who was a scout leader in a troop another attendee was in as a kid. I think we can also sort of sniff each other out, there were people I would bet money were religious who never said a peep.
You are right, spirituality is more important than attending any church, but religion can also have an important place in some of our lives. Because of my upbringing, this came as a shock to me.
People go the church/temple for all kinds of reasons, it's not my job to determine of judge what those reasons are. The question is why am I there and do I fit into the spiritual community I am looking for. It's not unreasonable for someone to go "church shopping" to find a community of faith that better suits them. In the Jewish religion, how one behaves in accordance with G-d's laws is more important than how deep is your belief. Good people congregating together to worship, reinforce good behavior, and provide support in times of trouble is powerful. Lots of folks out there who call themselves "spiritual" yet behave poorly with no clue why.
"When I went back, in South Carolina, I saw things that I didn’t see before. I saw people who wanted to be seen as being devout, rather than actually being devout. Politicking."
So true. I noticed this growing up in the Catholic church when I was young. Lot of posturing. Loads of ego. It made me actually quite appreciate a pianist in the church that was very talented and so very obviously absent of ego.
I've also seen it in almost every so-called spiritual group or gathering I've been to in my life. The egos. The acting. People wanting to be recognized by and/or hold power over other human beings rather than trying to actually partake and share in something deep and greater than us. These behaviors really kill it for me.
Anyway, similar to Jared I also do not go to church any more, nor do I believe that the Bible is the word of God, nor that the Christian God is the "one true God"... But I am spiritual. At the end of the day spirituality is a very personal thing, that needs no crowds or outside observations or accolades. This is a good piece. Thanks Jared.
Thanks for this piece Jared. It reminded me of an Emily Dickenson poem I read back in college, a few years after I had turned away from the Catholic church I was raised in. Here it is:
Some keep the Sabbath going to Church –
BY EMILY DICKINSON
Some keep the Sabbath going to Church –
I keep it, staying at Home –
With a Bobolink for a Chorister –
And an Orchard, for a Dome –
Some keep the Sabbath in Surplice –
I, just wear my Wings –
And instead of tolling the Bell, for Church,
Our little Sexton – sings.
God preaches, a noted Clergyman –
And the sermon is never long,
So instead of getting to Heaven, at last –
I’m going, all along.
Amen!
I really appreciate this essay and agree with almost all of it. The one thing I would argue with is that faith means belief without evidence. I would argue that faith is belief without proof.
Loved this one! Articulated what I have been unable to 😊
"I believe there are phenomena which are unexplainable and beyond the comprehension of any human brain." - The older I get, the more I feel the same way.
Well said. IMHO, the term 'spriituallity' is too ambiguous. But 'religiousity' conotes dogma. I conclude that God will not be confined nor will God be mocked. God is God and I am not.
Why do bad things happen to good people? I don't know, ask Job. What is the meaning of life? Ask the Teacher in Ecclesiastes. We are created to be in community. The failed response to Covid proved this truth.
Thank you for this thought provoking piece.
You sir earned a buyer of your book with this post. I’ve gone through much the same process in my life with compelled religion as a child, a distaste for what it represents, but a continual discovering of the spark ⚡️ that is unexplainable by any human IQ. “There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamt of in your philosophy” - the great Billy