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Thursday, June 23, 2011

"Religion"

*Disclaimer: This post is only my opinions based on my life experiences and exploration of different beliefs. I understand some people do not follow a religion, but are still spiritual and I mean no disrespect. This is just a reflection of my thoughts on this particular matter.*

As I continue to research different faiths and gain knowledge I have noticed that the word "Religion" has become a dirty word. I have noticed the phrases, spirituality, belief system, faith, used multiple times, but alot of times the word "Religion" is not used. "Religion"  has become an excuse for intolerance, and superiority *as in I am so much better because I have faith* Really it doesn't matter what religion it is, because all faiths have fundamentalists that think their way is the only way. The easiest way to see this is when you get asked, for example, "Can I talk to you about Jesus?" How quickly people roll their eyes and sigh and then try to find a way out of the conversation. Though this a common question for people when missionaries knock on your door, I think the reaction would be the same if someone was to walk up to you and say, "Can I talk to you about Buddha, Ganesha, Odin etc?"...eyes would still roll and we would still feel uncomfortable. WHY?? Why has it become wrong to discuss religion? In my opinion it's because people have not mastered the art of tolerance. So until we can learn tolerance and accept the fact that we are all going to see the world different...I think people will continue to be hesitant to discuss faith with people outside of our own comfort zones ie: Church, home, workshops. "Religion" will continue to be a dirty word as long as it is used to conform and feel superior, when we learn to love and be tolerant "Religion" will be an just another expression of faith.

4 comments:

  1. I'm not sure that religion is a dirty word. For me, I make a distinction (based on my academic background in Anthropology) because I am used to talking about religion as an institution (implying power structures and formal roles) as a separate thing from spirituality (which I believe to exist only at the individual level unable to be truly experience communally). I personal don't have a religious life but I do have a spiritual one. For me the two words are referring to very different things.

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  2. Your take on my post is very compelling. My opinion is based on speaking to people and reading an enormous amount of books. Many people seem to associate religion with spirituality. I meant no disrespect. Thank you for your comment.

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  3. There was no disrespect assumed. I just thought I should clarify where I make a distinction.

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  4. Great post! The word 'religion' comes from the word 'religare' which means "to bind back"...given that connotation, I have a healthy dislike for the word myself. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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