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Taken
from the Latin root “religio”, religion implies the notion of one who
is “bound to something. Of course, the sense of the supernatural is also
associated with someone who is typically religious. Anyone who is cognizant
of “religious follies” in the 20th Century also knows that this designation
can carry with it a certain exclusivity or even fanaticism.
The various movements that have emerged in the media have given
us a very stark picture of what religion or the seemingly so-called religious
people can do to one another. Misinterpreted or politicized, religion
can convey the opposite which is intended, that is man’s inhumanity to
man. It does not take much to stretch the imagination when the various
media portray wars, upheavals and brutal killings that take place in the
name of religion.
Like Ivan Dostoevsky’s Brothers Kararmov, “if this
is religion, I too give back ‘my penny’ to God.”
Thankfully, I believe this is a distortion of the basic fundamental
impetus behind the revelatory acts of God in history.
I much prefer to believe that it is not religion as such that attaches
men and women of good will to the divine. It is rather “faith” in a merciful
and loving God who is the moving and dynamic personal force in history
- and who transcends all divisions.
We are called not to be religious as such as we are called to be
faithful - not to be “bound-up” but rather to be opened to God and one
another.
Faith is “inclusive” not “exclusive”. Faith is the impetus to the
evolution of the human spirit under the guidance of the Spirit of God
to create a true humanism where there is equality and dignity of the human
person.
Christians, Jews and Muslims of every stripe who carry the banner
of “particularism” betray the depth of faith. That does not preclude “roots”
or the personal commitment to one’s spiritual heritage - but it seems
to me, the return to fundamentalism or separateness can only lead to the
disintegration of the community.
Differences need not he obliterated, but in fact can enrich and
enhance the ultimate conveyance to all that is best in men and women of
faith.
In Victor Hugo’s famous work, Les Miserables, we
hear the telling line “when one loves another person, one sees the face
of God.”
Is this not the essence or “heart” of faith - and if one insists,
of religion?
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