Spiritual But Not Religious

Many people nowadays say, "I'm spiritual but not religious," often an excuse for not belonging to or attending any church. If by "religious" they have in mind a religious establishment that isn't relevant to their lives, they may be correct to a degree. They also say, "I'm against organized religion." By this, they mean they're opposed to a religious hierarchy that seems to be more concerned with itself, repeating mumbo-jumbo incomprehensible rituals, its ties to political power, and holding on to property, than with "the poor, the maimed, the lame and the blind" ...the very people who Jesus aimed His ministry toward. It is refreshing, however, to see that various Christian confessions are coming together in Ukraine to serve the needs of the people.

So the phrase "spiritual but not religious" might actually be a positive sign, indicating that people have a longing for something they aren't finding in what is being offered by much of the current religious establishment. And if they're "against organized religion," maybe they should try the Orthodox Church - it's rather dis-organized! One part may be squabbling with another part, it doesn't have a centralized authority to dictate terms to these squabbling parts ...and yet somehow, amazingly, it has held firm to one set of doctrines for two thousand years: it has kept its focus on Christ as the pre-eternal Son of God, begotten of the Father, the Holy Spirit who proceeds from God the Father, and the rest of the teachings handed down by one generation of godly men to the next, from the first century to the present.

Together with these theological doctrines is its emphasis on humility, personal morality and social concern. The Great Fast during Lent reminds us continually to put aside earthly cares for our own gratification, and care for those around us who are in need: "Pure religion and undefiled before our God and Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world" (James 1:27), and "Remember those who are in bonds, as bound with them; and those who are ill-treated, since you are also in the body" (Heb. 13:3). For all its warts, perhaps the ancient Church has something to offer, after all!

(Linked to www.Hosken-News.info of 16 Mar. 2014.)