I Am Spiritual, Not Religious...

Have you ever heard someone say, "I am spiritual, not religious?"  Perhaps you have thought this or said this of yourself.  I know I have said this in the past, for my own reasons.  Recently, I've had a number of people ask me what this means.  Here's my best attempt.

For the most part, I think people use this statement when they believe they have a belief and a connection with God, a higher power, etc., but don't want to be lumped into a group of people believed to be holier-than-thou, or those who say one thing but do another.  Maybe they don't want to be seen as a "churchy" type person who attends services where lots of people don't understand what's going on.  At least, this is the case for me when I used to profess this. 

But over the last few years, I have a new found understanding of spirituality and religion.  For me, spirituality is my relationship with God - my belief, my connection.  Religion is the way in which I express my spirituality to God and to others.  In my case it is Christianity, the United Methodist church, attending church services, serving to the community, and (hopefully) reflecting the character of God in what I do.  So now I am not ashamed to say that I am spiritual and I am religious. 

Again, I think most people use this statement as a defense against religion(s) gone astray.  They don't want to be associated with the bad parts of religion.  Maybe they want to be seen as part of a better way, a higher way, a spiritual but not rigid belief system that is truly loving, giving, and accepting of all people no matter what.  I like to think this of myself.

However, I realize that I am included in the not-so-good parts of religion(s), just as much as I am a part of a society whose past is stained with hatred, segregation, and killing.  Just because I try to treat people with dignity, respect, and equality doesn't mean that racism, sexism, ageism, and religious persecution doesn't exist today.  Sadly it does.  Our culture is a result of countless "isms," and religion still goes astray at times. 

Jesus had lots to say to people who claimed to be religious - those who thought themselves to be higher and better than others.  These people were so busy touting their "authority" and "position" that they did not recognize that the Creator had (in the words of Eugene Peterson) moved into the neighborhood.  They didn't understand that Jesus came to show us where to focus our attention - on loving God the Creator, and loving God's creation.  They focused on religion, and religion went astray. 

So I think it is okay to be religious - as long as it is not religiosity.  We need to guard against religion that covertly or overtly separates, segregates, oppresses, and creates hierarchies.  And I think those who see themselves as spiritual, not religious can embrace religion as a chosen expression of how they reflect their spirituality. 

If we want the definition of religion to change, then we (paraphrasing Gandhi) need to be the change.  We are all part of change. 

Renewing Our Minds

One thing I like about being United Methodist is what we call our connectionalism.  That's just a big fancy-shmansy word reminding us that we are not in this life alone.  We are not created for individualism; we are created for connection and community.  Yet, our western culture screams at us to look out for number one; what's in it for me?; me, me, me...  I still get caught up in this type of thinking.  I'll be honest, I've had a lot of practice throughout my life - not that I'm proud of that.

But...I'm a part of this culture.  I can't escape it; it's all around me.  And that's okay.  God intended me to live in a culture.  That's part of the human experience.  But, I don't have to let the culture overtake me.  Lately I've been pondering the question, "what makes the church any different than any other organization?"  Our youth director further cements this thought when he tells the youth, "anyone can what we do; what makes us any different?" 

I think part of what makes the church different (or at least it should) is that it is (should be) a place where we renew our minds - and hearts and souls.  In Paul's letter to the Romans (12.2), he writes, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you may discern what is the will of God..."  So church should be the place where we learn how to renew our thoughts - to learn God's ways - so that our hearts are transformed, so that our actions are transformed into ones that reflect the character and will of God.  The will of God.  Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  As it is (already being done) in heaven.  Wow! 

And when I say church is the place where we renew our minds, I don't just mean a building.  I mean church the people; church the connection; church the community.  We're human; therefore, we live and experience life in human ways.  The church should be radical and should offer radical hospitality and radical love - like Jesus.  The church should not reflect the culture - that's what other groups do.  We're created to reflect our Creator.  We live in the culture, but don't need to be conformed to the culture.  We need to live in the culture, yet reflect the character of God - radical hospitality and radical love. 

We are all given daily opportunities to offer radical hospitality and love - even if we don't recognize it.  Allowing someone to cut in front of us in traffic might not seem like radical hospitality, but most of us don;'t think to offer the spot.  Our time is important; we need to get to where we're going.  But...so is the person's who cuts in front of me.  Stopping everything I'm doing in order to have lunch with someone who desperately needs a positive influence in their life might not seem like radical love.  But.. to the person whose life is full of violence and chaos, it might just be the few minutes of respite and respect they need.

Renew our minds: contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers; pray for those who might be making our lives miserable; take the time to learn that behind someone's "undesirable" behavior is a life's story full of contributing factors that no one sees.  Practice peace. 

May your mind be renewed and encouraged today.