Washington Post On Faith: People Don’t Lose Faith, They Shift It

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Washington Post On Faith: People Don’t Lose Faith, They Shift It

March 19, 2009

 

The new American Religious Identification Survey says fewer people

are calling themselves Christians or identifying with particular

denominations, and more people are claiming no religion at all. Are

you concerned? Is America losing its religion? Is America losing

faith?

 

In fundamentalist circles recently, the decline in church attendance

has spread alarm. Right-wing Christians have spent their political

capital, and as a result they no longer seem as attractive

spiritually. Too many Ted Haggards have been exposed for hypocrisy,

but that’s not the essentia point. By focusing on a political agenda,

along with distracting social issues like abortion and gay marriage,

Christians spent more energy on fighting the culture wars than in

tending to people’s spiritual needs...

 

As long as faith is placed in a positive value (as opposed to having

faith in militarism, demagogues, reactionary agendas, racism, and

similarly corrosive values), the decline in church attendance isn’t a

crisis, nor does it indicate that Americans are less spiritual.

Outside organized religion an enormous subculture has grown under the

rubric of the New Age. The label wore out long ago. The new spirituality

flourishes in countless ways, few of them easy to label

or nail down. We are in a time of spiritual flux, and if the churches

are the losers in that shift, they might want to pay more attention

to the winners, the millions of people who want the fruits of

spiritual seeking with an open mind instead of closed dogma.

 

By Deepak Chopra | March 18, 2009; 4:03 PM ET

Washington Post On Faith

 

 

Ask Deepak: Looking for a new Christianity

March 24, 2009

 

Question:

I am 43, female American, Hispanic, raised in a Catholic family.

Since early childhood, I've had doubts in the teachings of the

Church. At 10, I felt that the Sister teaching catechism class

was " lying " to me, expecting the children to believe the bible

stories she taught as if they were true. As a teenager, I attended

the churches of my friends, seeking words that would make some sense

to me and found none. I feel guilty that, in my heart, I am not a

Christian. I find the symbols of Christianity morbid: the cross,

blood and wounds, the Mother's pain, and a dark vengeful God who

metes out cruel punishments. And so I have not attended church in

years, and I rarely discuss religion with others. Most religious

people get desperately defensive if questions are raised about their

beliefs.

 

I do believe in a personal connection to God, a bigger, more basic,

and more nebulous God than Christ. I've taught my children a

scientific, stripped-down God who is a part of the mechanism and also

the machine itself. And yet I feel lonely and adrift, without a group

of others who feel as I do. And, I owe my children more than

admissions of doubt, they deserve a fellowship with those who can put

them on the path. Where is the religion of serious, intelligent

discussion on the nature of our existence and the bond between God

and ourselves? Do I have to have a " go-between " , as Christianity

teaches, or can I open directly to God? What would I call myself, if

not Christian?

 

Answer:

It sounds as if you would be most comfortable with Gnostic

Christianity. It allows you the direct connection to God and its

tenets are not tied to a literal interpretation of the Bible stories.

I think this version of Christianity will best address your spiritual

needs and still allow you to be a Christian and model authentic

Christian teachings to your children.

 

Love,

Deepak

 

 

Ask Deepak: Overwhelmed with where to begin

March 19, 2009

 

Question:

I am so overwhelmed with spiritual growing. I have no formal

religious background. Where do I start? I believe in a spiritual

entity. And that we are all connected. I believe there was a man

named Jesus that walked the face of the earth and was given

information from god. I do not worship Jesus like Christians

religions. I do not believe in an entity called the devil. I do not

believe my Great Spirit would create such a thing.

 

Answer:

You don’t need a religious background to embark on this journey. It

might even be an advantage not to have one. Your spiritual growth

need not be an overwhelming experience. In fact, I would encourage

you to take a light-hearted approach to your spiritual practice.

 

At this point, don’t worry about trying to understand arcane

theological positions on God and the devil. Your simple focus should

be on knowing your own true nature. This is the essence of

spirituality,–know thyself. A simple meditation practice will

reacquaint you with your core being, and from that basic experience,

you will be led unerringly on your way to all the knowledge,

guidance, and further experiences you need on your spiritual quest.

 

Love,

 

Deepak