How important is religion and spirituality to our city? Regardless of sect or ideology, what role does spirituality play in our city?

I am glad to see that we now have a forum dealing specifically with the expression of spirituality and faith here in the greater Philadelphia community.

Faith is a vital part of the fabric of our community, although the expression of this faith varies widely. A recent Gallup poll indicated that nearly 97% of all Americans have spiritual beliefs, pray, or engage in meditation or some sort of religious practice on a regular basis. In contrast, the nationally conducted poll also found that on average, only 35-40% of Americans attend worship services regularly or have a faith group that they consider themselves affiliated with.

What this tells me is that the hunger for spiritual meaning is pretty consistent throughout our culture, and I would venture to say also throughout our region, but the ways in which people seek to address and satisfy this hunger are changing.

It would seem to me that many people regard many religious traditions and congregations as irrelevant to their lives and present needs. There would seem to be a disconnect, of sorts, between many faith groups and the general populus. Perhaps this is due in part to negative experiences, or just changes in the general trends of our culture- i.e. there are many activities, and social obligations competing for our time and attention; work and school seem to become more and more demanding and exhausting as time goes on, etc.

I pastor a small church in the Philadelphia region, and also serve as a hospital chaplain. What I have noticed in the people I have spoken with in my community, at the hospital, and those who have visited our congregation are a few trends:

1. while many people are disenchanted with organized religion as an institution, many of them seem to yearn for deeper relationships and spiritual transformation

2. in our consumer-driven culture, people expect to get a fairly immediate return on their spiritual investments, in order to continue to give their time and energy to their spiritual pursuits

3. many people seem to approach their spiritual beliefs through a lens of relativism- we see many people may, for instance, engage in meditational practices from one branch of spirituality such as yoga, while also engaging in prayer, rituals, and readings from several other eastern and western traditions

4. the emerging generation of Americans is suprisingly open to the experiential aspect of spirituality. Just hearing or reading an explanation of what one believes and why doesn't cut it anymore. People want to experience their faith in all of its richness and mystery. This has opened up a whole new realm of spiritual expression which incorporates music, the arts, drama, as well as meditation and reflection.

Let's continue the dialogue as we seek to draw upon our spiritual resources to strive for a renewed sense of meaning and purpose in our daily lives within our community.

Peace,


John

John,

I personally would say that I fit into the group that is not as confortable with the current options for organized religion in my community, and yet I am certainly hungering for a more active spiritual connection.

but how do you answer those who might argue that much of organized religion contains sexist and homophobic rhetoric that is outdated and offensive to them?

You raise a very valid concern that many people have regarding organized religion, Steve:

Sadly, all too many people who profess to follow a certain religious tradition do not uphold the tenets of even their own tradition.

Virtually every major religious tradition agrees, for instance, in the validity and importance of the Golden Rule, which basically encourages us to

treat others as we would have them treat us.

How many of us genuinely follow the golden rule though? I am confident most people at least profess to believe and support it whole-heartedly. People look not to what we say, though, but to who we are in our relationships. Are we genuine? Is our faith and its expression truly vital to us, or do we see it as a rainy day insurance policy that we turn to only in times of desperation?

When a belief system, or way of life that is the basis for one's faith takes a back seat to out-dated traditions and intolerant instiutionalism, I believe that hinders the true expression and communication of that faith.

The more I talk with and get to know people in the community, many of whom do not regularly attend worship or profess to practice a particular faith, the more and more I hear two recurrent themes:

People in today's world yearn for relationships that are authentic, meaningful and fulfilling.

Religious expression that is based on out-dated traditions, intolerance, or incongruence no longer holds any currency.

Faith is a movement that we embrace, not an institution that we join.

We are all on a spiritual journey. We are each on our own journey, but we share the bond that there is something greater something higher than we ourselves. In that sense we journey together sharing a wonderful unity in the midst of diversity.

About all the isms and phobias- I believe they are all sad, misguided expressions of intolerance that all indicate a fear of change. We are called to cast aside our differences and celebrate our uniqueness and sense of community as we continue the spiritual journey.

Best wishes in your spiritual quest- let's keep the dialogue going!

Peace,

John

P.S.- I reflected upon the concept of being a good neighbor in my most recent installment of my spirituality blog:

http://spirituality.blog-city.com
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I want to respond to that, but don't know where to start. :?

First, Religion and spirituality are two different things.

Second, Christians that follow the bible should be accepting of other people and follow the golden rule. That doesn't mean you change you religion for that person. I have many friends that I might not agree with how they live, but I don't lecture them, I don't think I'm better then them and I don't try to show them the error of their ways. They're them and I'm me.

Steve
You said you're looking for something else. When was the last time you went to church? Have you tried several different sect's or do you assume things about them? When I went to college, I went to many churches before I found one I like. Every sect in the book. Now I go to Prespyterian church, but I don't think it's better than any other. I just fit what I was looking for.

People with a guity conscience generally feel uncomfortable in church. Is that the churches fault? If someone doesn't feel accepted in a church, they should try another. Maybe it's them that needs to change and not the church.(no vailed shot at gays here. Just in general.) If you feel uncomfortable at church and can't find one you like, try Unitarian or start a new sect, but don't try to change a religion.

__________________
Jason
Lynn Swann 06'

"Individualism is absent when other peoples' standards, not reality and reason, are ones primary guide."

Good question Zog!

I have 7 churches all within walking distance of my home. Unfortunately, I would say that they are not a good fit for me and my beliefs. I hafve attended all of them and aside from some cultural differences, I have not felt at home with them.

Zog, I would say that it is definitely not a guilty conscience that keeps me from going to church. Unfortunatly, I do not have a unitarian church that is local, but I will look into finding one. I agree that religions are what they are and that each person has to find the one that fits their beliefs the best. But I would also put this out there for consideration:

Since churches and their structure are created and administered by man, the chance that they are flawed in their interpretations of things and their structuring of things are flawed. Nothing created or overseen by man is perfect. You can change a church without changing the religion. :wink: [/quote]

Religion is a huge part of the social and moral fabric of this city. The cultivation of our faith, no matter what that may be and the achievement of a higher purpose and level of spiritual understanding are all vital to our development. Most importantly, we must instill this in our own children in order to pave the road to a brighter future for them, our city, our country and the entire world.

What do find to be the biggest challenge to your spiritual beliefs? How do you deal with it?