The Health of Religion
Religions are thought of in many ways: beliefs, who does or does not do what and when, even clothing, symbols and physical items. Religious devotes often debate and argue about who is right. This blog takes a different approach. Each post examines what is unhealthy and healthy about religion, both beliefs espoused and actions taken.
Religion often has a questionably reputation. If religion were a person it would suffer many bad opinions of its character. If religion were a patient a doctor might say it is often sick or even toxic. Religion has always been at times sick and at other times healthy. Tragically, sick religion is too often the norm.
Religions comprise a group of people with a label, a set of beliefs, and often institutionalized – a noun from Latin. Religious is an experience of connecting to the Divine with the possibility of a relationship – an adverb. Either can become unhealthy and desperately need to become healthy.
Healthy verses Unhealthy Religion
Healthy religion can awaken the conscience and disturb the selfish ego while pointing people toward God and His truth. It is a powerful positive force in many ways reaching out to needful and hurting individuals. Healthy religion has inspired individuals to bend a knee before God while offering a hand to others. It points to God and humbly acknowledges the wisdom of God received through personal humility and soul searching. Healthy religion is essential in a deeply troubled world.
Unhealthy religion is ineffective in changing mankind’s inhumanity toward humanity. It justifies hate and abuse sometimes even by the leaders of religion. Unhealthy religious experience works counter to truth and the loving redemptive purpose of God. It magnifies the self and ends in hubris amid lies. Unhealthy religion holds up laws that are usually more opinion while ignoring human need and suffering. Unhealthy religious experience often demonstrates projection rather than confession. Unhealthy religion makes all adherents theologians rather than children following and reflecting a God of grace and love.
This life can end for any of us any minute. Healthy religion can have a powerful impact on what we value in this life and the next with the next life a breath away. All children are of equal importance and depend on our leaving a healthy legacy. God does not force any of His children to treat others with love. But He expects it. Our love is often only another four letter word. God’s divine love is healthy.
Each Post
Each blog post identifies and explores what is sick about religious practice and why it is sick. Norms are challenged even if accepted religious practice. Ways to change unhealthy religious experience into healthy are offered. Each post begins as I examine my own walk and is humbly offered as the reader considers his or her walk.
Pictures from my camera and collection are presented to illustrate ideas. Books suggested can be accessed by clicking on the title.