Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Religion & Spirituality.

"There may be some truth to the suspicion that we humans are incurable religious animals, that we are determined to bow down to something." -- Hauerwas and Willimon, Resident Aliens.

What religion are you?
Are you Religious?

This word, religion/religious, has become a barrier, or a blind spot if you will. At the very moment "religion" is mentioned there is a tension that is instantly released into the atmosphere. & why is this? I mean, as Hauerwas and Willimon said, we as humans are religious creatures, and there is so much truth in that. If we aren't claiming "religion," there is a verrry good chance we are bowing to something; money, a relationship, clothing, tv shows, you name it. So how come the very mention of religion brings a flinching wince to one's face & comfort?

We are afraid of committment.
& for this same reason, we are not caused to wince at the mention of spirituality.
No, because spirituality has a safety in it, and a freedom.
A freedom to choose whatever it is that you would like to entail in "Spirituality,"
and a safety of not being put into a box, or stamped with a label, a safety based upon mere mystery of what you are bowing down to.
But Religion, religion is not safe.
It is a committment. A solid decision, that sometimes takes away the freedoms of our lifestyle.
As modern humans we don't like this, we want to be freeeeeeeee, & we don't want to committ to things, that would mean a bigger responsibility than we are genuinely seeking.

Danielle Nicole

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