Organized Religion vs. Spirituality

Organized religion is something that falls under much criticism by those who believe their own individual spirituality is enough. The same can be said for the opposite side, where individuals are seen as lost souls, and not truly being "saved" by most large religious based societies. I believe that religion should be your own faith put forth in whichever manner you feel fits.

If you find yourself spiritually in touch with yourself, that is all you need. Does one truly need to be part of a group of people to be labeled, “saved.” Can’t one reach their own solitude on their own by living a good moral life as they see fit, treating others well, and having a belief that keeps them going each day?

As Gary Busey once said, “Organized religion is to scare those before going to hell. Spirituality is for those that have already been there.” I truly believe this statement. Organized religious groups seem to exist merely to scare those in their present lives. True spirituality comes from when you know what being down is, and you have faith that you will be picked back up.

          -Mr. White

Throughout the history of mankind, religions have sprouted and branched off in all directions. With all claiming to be the organization with the “right” ways of connecting with God, they all seem completely different. Yet, they all have similarities. All religions revolve around a higher power and they all begin with someone believing they were contacted by God to convey his ways.

The more recently founded religions such as the Church of Latter-day Saints and Church of Flying Spaghetti Monster are constantly belittled due to the lack of historical support and evidence. However, all religions are truly guilty of lacking evidence. Religion “guides” such as the Bible, or the Quran, were written hundreds of years after the stories it consists of actually occurred. Is it safe to question if the telephone effect has come into play here? Could the Holy Bible be any less reliable due to the chance that it may or may not have been composed of stories lost in translation? Have you ever played telephone in grade school? The teacher starts with, “I ate a banana for breakfast” and comes back as “I hate bananas.”

Is an individual’s belief of a higher power as valid as a belief as widespread throughout the world such as Christianity? Just because not everyone agrees, doesn’t make it any less true. Without proper evidence that proves one religion more accurate than another, what give any of them the right to belittle others beliefs? If you think about it, all religions started out with one guy’s belief. Still, the question remains. Can an individual’s belief be as arguably valid as a belief shared by millions of people? Well, I feel that the answer is yes. I personally have created my own religion. I believe in “God” or a “higher power” but I don’t believe that he/she/it had a set way for me to live. If they had, I would’ve heard about it. There is no doubt, that we as humans would like something to believe in. For hundreds of years we have searched for such an answer, but there is nothing in the world that can prove any religion correct, or more correct than another. Faith is the only fuel for a religion. Faith is what keeps the idea of a religion alive in all of its followers. That’s why you will more likely get the question, “What is your faith?” instead of, “What is your religion?”

               

-Mr. Black