Religion and Spirituality in the 21st Century

[Rasputin]

Where is it going? Has it learned important lessons from the past and how is it maintaining its relevance today? A Reality Check Special by Hal Rock




This last question is of particular importance in the Western world with the Catholic Church, for example, facing the prospect of growing numbers of people leaving it because they don't feel it's relevant to them. Many young people feel that the church's views on issues like homosexuality and same sex marriage, abortion and contraception etc., make it less relevant to them and that the church is not doing enough to address their needs. And it's boring.

But is this a fair criticism?
Maybe. Maybe not. Coming as I do from the West Indies, I'm more used to the church as a place of joy, singing, dancing and intense emotions. Coming to Europe was a real culture shock in that respect, I can tell you.

But, if I'm honest, I suppose I would have to admit that the church is not there to entertain me/us and if it's to maintain its role as a constant in a world that is constantly changing, then perhaps too much change would be a bad thing.

However, the church has always changed. It had to in order to survive and it will need to continue doing so.

Speaking of change, climate change is THE issue on everyone's lips today and the church is also jumping on the green bandwagon in an attempt to make itself more relevant. This development has been dubbed Eco Salvation by some and others see it as a cynical attempt at getting a bit more street credibility. I often find myself feeling sorry for the church; on the one hand it's criticised for not changing and for being out of touch while on the other hand any change is greeted with scepticism or fear.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
There are those who believe that technology is fast becoming the newest world religion - if it hasn't already done so but can technology give us the spiritual dimension we need? Can Cyberspace replace that inner space where the soul is supposed to reside?

Of course there are those who say we don't need spirituality or religion or churches; it's all just brainwashing and superstitious nonsense: God is dead und das ist gut so! But how many of those same people still find themselves unconsciously and automatically offering up a quick prayer before they tackle something that's difficult or dangerous?

Like many people today, I suppose I have a very ambivalent view towards religion which is why this web story is long on questions and short on answers.

And in the end isn't that what it's all about: Asking a whole load of questions in the hope that one day we find the answer that explains it all?

[Dokhtar Bandari]

We need not dwell on the damage the church, and in particular one large section of the church has wrought, and continues to wreak over the centuries and over the lives and Mind of people, and in particular true Spiritual progress, it is increasingly speaking for itself.

Currently religion controls the Minds and lives of billions of people, using the powerful emotions of fear and guilt to do so, often in the cruelest of ways, the most cruel of which is the refusal of a "ticket to Heaven" lest the "follower" abides by a set of theological rules, rules arising both out of a total and complete lack of understanding of the true meaning of our existence, coupled with a desire to gain control and power over people. As currently seen in our own country.

However the question still remains: What makes people join these religions or even political atrocities? Why is Man perpetually in search of that which is greater than himself/herself? Do we so consider ourselves inferior that we need a higher power to tell us how..when and why? Is this a learned behaviour or an integral part of our being?????

Your thoughts are appreciated.

[maryam9]

However the question still remains: What makes people join these religions or even political atrocities? Why is Man perpetually in search of that which is greater than himself/herself? Do we so consider ourselves inferior that we need a higher power to tell us how..when and why? Is this a learned behaviour or an integral part of our being?????

Just a question: do you not believe in God or something? Thats the impression I got when reading the last line of the paragraph you wrote.

[Dokhtar Bandari]

Oh I absolutely believe in God. But how I see God could be a different story. Thanks for asking khanum. And you??? What do you think God is and do you believe in one? Mer30

[maryam9]

Same as me then. I believe God is our creator. Yes i believe in Him. I believe that there is only one God, even though different people call him by different names (eg Allah etc)

[Dokhtar Bandari]

Same as me then. I believe God is our creator. Yes i believe in Him. I believe that there is only one God, even though different people call him by different names (eg Allah etc)

In as much as the fact that God creats, I am with you. But whom do you say God is???? When I say to you who is God, what is your first reaction? or first thought that comes to your mind about the identity of God?

[mike435]

In as much as the fact that God creats, I am with you. But whom do you say God is???? When I say to you who is God, what is your first reaction? or first thought that comes to your mind about the identity of God?

i love this question somthing i have a problem with
i have started to really like the the definition of g-d accroding to kabalah
which is he is infininit
it makes the most sence to me even though i still have many problems with this approach to who g-d for me it is the most saysfying

i donot know how to explain it to you
but a somwhat close philosophy of g-d according to kabakah is the movie maritx sounds wiered but watch the matrix and in many ways it parraels jewish approach to g-d
replace the "matrix program" with torah wisdom, and the main charachter as the messiah

[Dokhtar Bandari]

Hmmmmmm...interesting. I am familiar with that philosophy, and it will remain a philosophy until I experience it as truth. So have you experienced this as the truth? Or are you a hopeful expectator? Nothing wrong with either one, jut want to know.

Do you consider religion and spirituality 2 different things or the same?

[mike435]

Hmmmmmm...interesting. I am familiar with that philosophy, and it will remain a philosophy until I experience it as truth. So have you experienced this as the truth? Or are you a hopeful expectator? Nothing wrong with either one, jut want to know.

Do you consider religion and spirituality 2 different things or the same?

what do you mean with experiance it

[mike435]

Do you consider religion and spirituality 2 different things or the same?

yea
relligion is the celeberation of sprituality but it dosent have to be only spirituality

i think you can be spiritual with having a specific relligion
i think relligion is rules of engament of spirituality

[Dokhtar Bandari]

what do you mean with experience it

I will give you an example. If you have never had a glass of wine, but have read about it, know all about it, until you experience it by drinking it, you would never know what it taste like.

So now, lets say we know God through philosophy and our parents and school teachings, we still really don't know God, we just have an idea of it which its really not our idea but something we have been told. What if you were to meet God, and its nothing like anyone has ever told you. Which would you say is the truth then, what you know through experience or what you know through hand me down teachings?

[Dokhtar Bandari]

yea
religion is the celebration of spirituality but it doesnt have to be only spirituality

i think you can be spiritual with having a specific religion
i think religion is rules of engagement of spirituality

OK lets put aside the fact that I disagree with that statement grossly. Just separate the 2 for one minute and explain to me the definishon of each one individually. Like a dictionary of your own words and understanding. please.

[mike435]

OK lets put aside the fact that I disagree with that statement grossly. Just separate the 2 for one minute and explain to me the definishon of each one individually. Like a dictionary of your own words and understanding. please.

oh wait that is with out having a specific relligion

[mike435]

I will give you an example. If you have never had a glass of wine, but have read about it, know all about it, until you experience it by drinking it, you would never know what it taste like.

So now, lets say we know God through philosophy and our parents and school teachings, we still really don't know God, we just have an idea of it which its really not our idea but something we have been told. What if you were to meet God, and its nothing like anyone has ever told you. Which would you say is the truth then, what you know through experience or what you know through hand me down teachings?

i guess i seldom experiance it but it is mostly reding about it
my experiances were in yom kippur when i had this wierd feeling
another was when i wen to jeruslam at the western wall and all of a sudden just started tearing up this was especialy signifigant becuase at the time i only saw the wall at a source of jewish identiy and nothing g-dly infact i dont think i even belived in g-d at the time
also sometimes when i just fill satisfyed when i am in a relligous community i just feel complete and happy and not just happy as in a a smile but a uniqe feeling of love for everything its wiered can really explain it but i know for sure that there is somthing there enough to keep me around and persua it more thorugh the jewsh relligion

[mike435]

OK lets put aside the fact that I disagree with that statement grossly. Just separate the 2 for one minute and explain to me the definishon of each one individually. Like a dictionary of your own words and understanding. please.

sprituality: the funny feeling you get simmilare to love

religion: rules that eable or help you maintain that feeling

that is even though recomanded religion is not a nececity