Religion: That ol' Black Magic (otherwise known as what lens are you using?)

Earlier this week I posted a quote from the 14th Dalai Lama on my FB page. Little did I know this tiny quote would spark so much controversy:

"The time has come to find a way of thinking about spirituality and ethics that is beyond religion." --Dalai Lama

My original intent for posting this quote was not to start WWIII; rather I wanted  to agree with his holiness that religion, while a (generally) positive construct of modern society, is not the end-all be-all of human existence or even human spirituality. In fact, studies are showing more and more people are claiming themselves to be "spiritual" but not necessarily "religious." What does this mean? Are more people becoming atheists? Are they losing faith in God?

A mentor of mine posted a reply to the discussion on my page:

"There's a saying that, "If there is no God, nothing matters. If there is a God, nothing else matters." Because I believe the second proposition to be true, every other question ultimately finds its resolution there, even apparently trivial...

ones, for "in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Paul's Epistle to the Romans 8:28)"

http://www.philippianjailer.com/2012/02/does-god-care-who-wins-super-bowl.html

For the record, I love to talk to all kinds of people about what exactly "God" represents for them. For my mentor he is the omnipotent God of Christianity. For me things are a little more complicated. Herein lies the clincher. When we use the lens of religion we limit ourselves to what that construct means and what terms validate that construct. "God" carries different meanings for a Jew, Muslim, or Christian as compared to a Hindu, Pagan, Agnostic, or even Atheist. 'Religion' has a place in many discussions, but I personally believe it to be an exclusive term with stipulations attached. In this case 'spirituality' may be a more inclusive and universally inviting term. I compare the two terms in meaning and likeness to two other terms I used in a recent essay: religious tolerance and religious pluralism

Here is a link to that essay: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yc9DtaQFARbc7_cDtbxSm0AXhwS1y0PwSeRddcz6J5c/edit

In the end we need to find ways of communicating with each other than are constructive and respectful. We can disagree all day long on semantics, but there is meaning in the space we share as humans beings on this planet and in this divine universe. 

Blessings,

Denora  

Reaffirming the Journey

So today is technically day three of my first "intensive" seminary experience. As I reflect on all the things that brought me to this point I come up with a few thoughts:

 1) No matter how alone you think you may be, especially in an online environment, there are those who feel exactly the same at some point. Additionally, feeling inadequate about how much time you're devoting to something or how well you're doing is entirely relative to just you. If we all spent our lives trying to be Michael Phelps I think a lot of us would be disappointed.

2) I have never felt as inspired by any of my previous academic experiences. Let me highlight that point by saying the people I've met on this journey and continue to meet are in my opinion the bridge-builders of our society. They are simply amazing people who continue to challenge assumptions and make a real difference in this world, and they inspire me to want to learn more, do more, and be the best I can be.

3) Seminary education is hella hard. No one ever warns you of this before you take that first step. But if you can keep placing one foot in front of the other one day at a time you will look back one day and realize you've travelled so far. And if you're lucky, somebody is going to join you on different legs of that journey--they may not travel the whole way with you, but you know you're never alone.

4) We are changing the world. Our friends may not understand, our family might not support us, we may not even grasp what it is we're doing, but we are doing something magical and that deserves its own shout out.

Blessings,

Denora