On spirituality, religion, and faith
There is great debate about the differences between spirituality and religion. Three days into the quadrennial gathering of the branches, groups and affiliates of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, I began what I suspect will be a series of writings about the debate that lives in FOR and many communities of faith. Here I offer some thoughts as we continue our conversation in fellowship.
Spirituality: Those practices and behaviors that guide the conscious connection between ourselves and the world which we manifest. We may say that it is the process of enlightenment along our paths -either chosen or given. Spirituality does not require the belief nor the acceptance of a God or Gods. In fact, living outside of such a paradigm requires a set of practices and behaviors similar to those who practice with Gods.
This leads me here; spirituality does not require membership in modern religion. Likewise, acceptance and support of religion in this era, is not a factual indication of spirituality. One may, however, practice their spirituality through subscription to religion and vice-versa, one may choose religion and be spiritual just the same.
It is also true that religious spiritual practice does not necessitate the frequenting of a building/institutional space made of brick and mortar. Although many religions strongly suggest — require according to some interpretations — that in order to practice, one must attend collective activities in the physical structure of that particular religion. Here, again, there is a link between spirituality and religion in the acknowledgement of the connection between an individual and the collective.
That said, spirituality and religion, though consisting of similar concepts, do not manifest for everyone as connected realities with the same requirements. For some people, religion is only truly manifested through spirituality.
One may wonder where the language of action and sacrifice lives in this understanding. Many of our cousins refer to these concepts as savior or martyr and suffering or expanding respectively. Some suggest that things are as they are and the human responsibility is to acknowledge and move forward. Perhaps this is the action component that people may seek — the action of moving forward.
Each of these distinctions is found across generations, in many ethnic groups and beyond class measures though certain social classes can be found to identify as either spiritual or religious more than the other. Either way, the differences and similarities may balance enough that one is called to believe and act in the belief that each is a personal choice. A personal choice that has great potential to move us toward fulfilling fellowship in a just world.
The choice to move forward, with visions and beliefs in something greater, in a world filled with questions is an act of faith. Faith, the belief and vision of something greater than the now belongs to no one and all of us just the same.
