Beautiful, ShinNy Rimowa
I changed my mind! I’m neither spiritual or religious…. I’ve decided on a new title with all the (beautiful, shinny Rimowa) baggage it carries.
Removing “religion” from my vocabulary came out of genuine frustration for various denominational leaders who step on stage on Sundays losing sight of the person of Jesus and what he stood for. So, I stripped off the label and found myself stating for all to hear that I was “spiritual, not religious” for years. But can you be one without the other?
The popular stance grew in the wake of a decline in church attendance with 23 percent of Canadians participating in religious activity at least once a month and 30 percent engaged in weekly worship. As more and more Canadians identify as “spiritual”, religious affiliation has dipped to its lowest since 1985 with 68% of Canadians flashing their allegiance. A poll commissioned by the National Post last year showed that two-thirds of Canadians identify as spiritual while just half say they are religious. About a quarter of those who profess “no religion” still expressly believe in God. I guess it’s no surprise following all the drama surrounding Christianity – from Catholicism to protestants – in the last few years. Nobody wants to be associated with that ugliness.
Being spiritual and not religious was a popular thing to say: non-confrontational, open-minded and free of judgment. Nobody wants to be “that gal” who’s put aside because of her beliefs. My rationale was that Jesus pointed fingers at the religious leaders, challenged the norms of his time, and opposed corrupt religious systems that oppressed and exploited the masses, to promote a genuine love and relationship with God over a long list of religious chores. I opted for spirituality over religion.
I associated spirituality with God – though I now understand that it is used to every kind of beliefs which is why I’ve decided to distance myself from the term. I always felt that spirituality was the work of God working in us while religion was the work of man doing for Him. While Jesus said DONE religion says DO; He set us free while most groups guilt people into heavy burden; Jesus wasn’t talking about being part of a clan but rather being servants and enablers of light in a world that needs more love, kindness and people who genuinely care. On these things, I haven’t/won’t change my mind!
For me, religion involves ritual practices, the dogmas, the “have tos” as I like to call them, whereas spirituality has to do with the heart, feeling and experiencing. In my mind, to be religious is to bow to the authority, to follow tradition, to blindly perform formalized rituals and rely on the interpretation of a person rather than connecting and experiencing God Himself. When the veil is lifted, you see ugly hearts too often. I disagreed or was disappointed by the leadership of most churches I’ve attended. In fact, all of the things I thought were true about ministry – about them being champion of truth, justice and good… - pretty much came tumbling down after my divorce. It was insincere, tone deaf or disconnected from reality. Plus, I’ve been hurt by the church more than by “the world” in my life. I always wondered why that is until I realized that churches weren’t “clubs” for good people but a shelter or an hospital for sinners like me. If hurt people hurt people, then, it all makes sense! With that said, religion is still not my thing. I wish there was a better title that captured all of the true meaning of what Jesus has called us to be… religion is not one I care to adorn.
About a year ago, a young man made this video about why he hated religion but loved Jesus. It echoed a lot of my disappointments.
Why is religion the source of negativity when following Jesus really means serving and loving? Why does religion build fancy buildings instead of feeding the poor? Why do church leaders everywhere preach about practicing grace but act in judgemental, “cliquey” ways? Why are they more interested in putting shows on the inside of their temples and accumulating zeros at the end of their budgets instead of rolling up their sleeves and serving like Jesus served? Why are Christians so judgemental and quick to point fingers about abortion, same-sex marriage and homosexuality instead of removing the beams in their own eyes? Why is it so hard to serve in a church setting and put our gifts to work? Why are church leaders pushing aside the stir sticks like me with a heart on fire who challenge the status quo instead of seeing us as opportunities to grow? I feel being a Christian must be less about the badge we wear and more about the love we give so that those on the outside will be attracted to Him. (James 1: 26-27).
“26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
I thirst for a relationship with the God of the universe. I’m passionate about pursuing a God who loved me enough to give his only son to die to enable me to know Him. I’m dedicated to discovering who He is and why He’s created me with all my good and bad. I believe everybody wants to connect to a loving God. I heard someone say that God had put a hole in our hearts that only He could fill… I agree! It’s that relationship that transforms us from the inside out.
I’m still not ready to endorse a specific denomination or church anymore, I believe Jesus called us to become like him so I will continue to attend churches that fuel my heart, give me biblical tools to be more Christ-like and put my faith in action every day. That is and will always be my one and only “religion”.
Some people say faith is a crutch… Yeah, I agree. Because we’re all wounded and limping and hurting and carrying pain… so yeah, I need something to lean on that’s bigger than me. But it won’t be religion or spirituality.
I will gladly and only bare the title of Christ follower from this point on.
In fact, a direct relationship with God is at the cornerstone of Christianity. Jesus died to give us direct access to God.
-Brigitte
