| Wise people say we should never discuss politics | | | | turns, crests, valleys and pikes. |
| or religion at a festive event, and usually for good | | | | This throws up for us a few further opposing |
| reason. There are many, many conundrums to life | | | | thoughts. |
| and the aspect of religion is one of them. So, | | | | Is religion the answer for the world's (and the |
| when all's boiled down, what's the point of religion? | | | | individuals') ills? Can it ameliorate these ills, for |
| (Let's consider that religion and spirituality are one | | | | instance, mental illness--take depression, for |
| and the same concept--for simplicity purposes.) | | | | example. |
| We often have to look in special places for these | | | | It seems that religion (through us/me) is about |
| answers. | | | | sowing hope for others. If that were true then |
| Let's look to the words of Helen Keller: | | | | someone (or more than one person) might |
| "The reason why God permitted me to lose both | | | | 'minister' to me, helping me with my issues and |
| sight and hearing seems clear now--that through | | | | problems; notwithstanding God or complementing |
| me He might cleave a rock unbroken before and | | | | him in his work. |
| let quickening streams flow through other lives | | | | In the context of the world's ills (and further, that |
| desolate as my own once was. I am content." | | | | of individuals'), I'd venture to say that religion both |
| It seems religion is more about others than | | | | contributes as a cause for suffering depression |
| anything else. But, we can't do that very well if | | | | and is something that prevents it. Both opposing |
| we don't self-relate very well; God in an instant | | | | standpoints agree, depending on the context. |
| helps us accept ourselves. We get religion all | | | | Perhaps these two opposing views combine over |
| wrong when it becomes about ourselves (our | | | | the process of time, one preceding, the other |
| wishes, our preferences, our views, our desires). | | | | proceeding. Let me explain. For religion to cause ills |
| And if we don't accept ourselves, life can only | | | | means something in that process is wrong. Once |
| ever be about "us." Religion is an opportunity to | | | | this can be resolved, religion can actually help. |
| connect with God and the world, relationally, and in | | | | Again, we've established that religion is necessarily |
| a way to offer the self (free of burden) to both | | | | about others. |
| those entities. | | | | But, let's consider two spiritual people: one well, |
| Keller continues: | | | | the other not. Both of these people need |
| "The mortally wounded must strive to live out | | | | religion--a spiritual connection with God and the |
| their days cheerfully for the sake of others." | | | | world. One is in a place of entrance and |
| So, perhaps religion is about embracing God, our | | | | discipleship; the other's in a place of going on (to |
| world and everything in it; all life circumstances | | | | higher places) in the faith. Both of these people |
| and situations equally. It appears to be a | | | | can benefit acutely from a focus on others, and |
| middle-of-the-road approach to life--a 'narrow way' | | | | on God. |
| of negotiating the plethora of treacherous twists, | | | | |