Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Spiritual but not Religious: First in a Series of Observations

I have decided I want to make some observations on the largest growing ‘faith’ movement in the United States.  It is the group of people who call themselves ‘spiritual but not religious.’

Much has been written on this subject pro and con.  My observations are meant, hopefully, to be neutral enough for everyone to read, with the caveat that I have a bias.  I am the pastor of a church and an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ.  I happen to appreciate by denominational family and support it, so, I am biased.  Having said that, however, I like to believe that I have an open enough mind and heart to listen to people who have varying perspectives.

My first observation today is really an attempt to understand why people are giving up on religion.  I think one of the reasons is because of cynicism.  There is a great deal to be cynical about in organized religion.

One of the most commonly watched videos on You Tube right now is a segment of a sermon preached by Pastor Charles L. Worley, the pastor of Providence Road Baptist Church in Maiden, North Carolina.  A segment of it can be viewed here:

Sermon Portion

I find his words to be revolting, as I suspect the majority of people who watch this do as well. 

Does he speak for all Christians?  No.

Does he speak for most Christians?  No, I don’t believe so.  I cannot fathom most people believing that any group of people should be herded behind electrified fences because of sexual orientation.

The problem is that he does speak for some Christians.  People in his church were saying “AMEN!” while he was preaching.  Westboro Baptist Church pickets  funerals of service people killed in combat proclaiming the deceased soldier is going to hell.  Their website is entitled, “Godhatesfags,’ and they do exist. 

People get disgusted with this kind of behavior from ‘Christians’ and presume the worst, so they stay away.

In recent years the Roman Catholic Bishops have gone down new roads and are rapidly emptying the pews of their churches.  The road they are going down has as much to do about God as do burgers and fries, but they are busily on the road to somewhere, I’m not sure where.

They have become overtly political and seem to have made contraception a leading issue in the upcoming election.  Their claims of religious persecution, as real as three dollar bills, ring hollow to many.  Recent attacks on nuns and the Girl Scouts are, if nothing else, bizarre.  Additionally, like the Southern Baptist Convention, they have purged seminaries of even remotely progressive thinkers and many of their best and brightest are gone.

On the left, the background is different, but has comparable results.

There are many good things about social justice and a sense of welcoming has been amazing and good.  People who feel unwelcomed at many churches, when they even look, has been good.  However, the one big missing piece is often a devotional piece.  Often Worship and spirituality are so carefully done to not offend that they end up being incredibly bland and unexciting.  Often simple things like prayer and Bible Study are overlooked for other things.  It is easier to get people to serve at Soup Kitchen than it often is to get them to Sunday School of Bible Study.

Finally, there is the political component.  Politicians love to tell us how much God is on their side.  Ugh.

I suspect many people are finding themselves spiritual but not religious because religion is falling short in some ways.

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