July 17, 2019
Spiritual but not Religious – 1
Dear Friends,
Today there is this expression: “I am spiritual but not religious.”
I have often heard this and have read articles about this way of viewing oneself.
Well, it is important for me as a priest not to just write off such a statement.
I need to take this seriously.
Obviously, I am a religious person and believe that I am also spiritual.
In fact, I see the core of my priestly ministry as bringing spirituality to others.
I believe that the spiritual tradition of Christianity and Catholicism has much to offer.
Let me state it this way: religion is to offer and nurture and enrich spirituality.
It is essential that religion does this and if it doesn’t, something is wrong.
So, what’s going on today that leads some to say that they are spiritual but not religious?
Before going into any analysis, I want to say that we who are religious need to respect those who are not.
They, like me, are made in the image and likeness of God.
They, like me, are sons and daughters of God.
And yes, the Holy Spirit is present in them as the Spirit is present in all of creation.
So, there is no room here for being dismissive or for discounting or for judging those who see themselves as spiritual but not religious.
None!
For more on this theme, see the Inbox Inspirations for next week, July 24, 2019.
“Spirituality is my deeply personal and unique experience of, relationship with, and response to the reality one might call the Unknown, Ultimate Mystery, or God. Religion, then, consists of the communal beliefs, practices, rituals, and codes of behavior that allow me to explore, deepen, celebrate, and share my personal spirituality.”
From The Transformed Heart (Spirituality, Religion, and the Struggle for Identity) by Tom Zanzig (1946-, Catholic religious educator, publisher of adult faith formation resources, author).
“May the Holy Spirit guide us in our seeking a fuller relationship with God.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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July 24, 2019
Spiritual but not Religious – 2
Dear Friends,
I am continuing my reflections today on the expression: “I am spiritual but not religious.”
We might hear these words from various kinds of persons.
For example, some people reject any organized religion.
They might even feel hostile toward it.
Sometimes, we in the Church label this approach as secularism, but often it is not.
Then, some describe themselves as an atheist or agnostic.
They see themselves as good persons, as persons with an inner life and a spirituality.
However, they take either an “I don’t believe in a God” position or an “I just don’t know” position.
Next, some persons are seeking.
They want a relationship with God and they want this to influence their lives.
However, they have not found satisfaction for their search in any religion.
They are open to finding it there but have not yet found a spirituality that is authentic for them in any Church.
I approach all of the above persons with respect.
I assume not only good intentions, but also an inner life and desire for the spiritual.
This, I believe, needs to be the approach of all of us who are religious.
For more on this theme, see the Inbox Inspirations of last week, July 17, and for next week, July 31 and following.
“We all know individuals who claim to be ‘spiritual but not religious.’ We may have siblings, good friends, and even children of our own who make that claim or would be comfortable with that description. A rapidly increasing number now check ‘none of the above’ when researchers ask for their religious affiliation.”
From The Transformed Heart (Spirituality, Religion, and the Struggle for Identity) by Tom Zanzig (1946-, Catholic religious educator, publisher of adult faith formation resources, author).
“May the Holy Spirit guide us in our seeking a fuller relationship with God.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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July 31, 2019
Spiritual but not Religious – 3
Dear Friends,
Today I am continuing my reflections on the expression: “I am spiritual but not religious.”
We might hear these words from persons who are indifferent to religion.
They don’t attend any church and do not have strong negative or positive feelings about any religious practice.
They just don’t make room for it in their lives or have not considered it seriously.
Then, of great concern to me, there are many Catholics who have left the Church.
In fact, at least one study says that the largest religious group in our country are Catholics, and the second largest would be former Catholics.
Some of these persons still identify themselves as Catholic.
However, many of them say – and I have personally heard this – that they have not found themselves spiritually nourished in the Church.
Some of these persons may now identify themselves as one of the Nones.
This is an increasing number of people in America who check Nonewhen asked about their religious affiliation.
And once again, many of these people see themselves as spiritual but not religious.
As I have said before, I respect all of these persons.
I assume that they are sincerely seeking God and spirituality.
I believe that our Church must make the same assumption as the very first step in engaging all such persons.
For more on this theme, see the Inbox Inspirations of July 17 and 24, and for next week, August 7 and following.
“The Christian life is not about pleasing God the finger-shaker and judge. It is not about believing now or being good now for the sake of heaven later. It is about entering a relationship in the present that begins to change everything now. Spirituality is about this process: the opening of the heart to the God who is already here.”
From Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time by Marcus J. Borg (1942-2015, Anglican, New Testament scholar, author).
“May the Holy Spirit guide us in our seeking a fuller relationship with God.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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August 7, 2019
Spiritual but not Religious – 4
Dear Friends,
In the last three weeks of Inbox Inspirations, I have looked at some of the persons who use the expression “I am spiritual but not religious.”
Today I want to begin looking at the Church and its response to this.
I am seeing three things that must shape our initial response.
First, we must listen.
We need to do all we can to take in what they have to say.
We need to understand their way of thinking and appreciate what they are feeling about God and faith.
Second, we may need humble to ask questions.
For example, what do you mean by spiritual?
Or, how are you as a person spiritual?
Or, what do you mean by religious?
Or, why are you choosing not to be religious or to participate in a church?
And third, I believe we need to see these persons as seeking and that this seeking is a dimension of faith.
If we are going to be truthful, at times we are all seeking.
At times, we all question and wonder and maybe even doubt.
At times, we may not feel at home with all aspects of our religion or church.
So, it is important to view those who identify themselves as spiritual but not religious as persons who are probably in a seeking dimension of faith.
For more on this theme, see the Inbox Inspirations of July 17, 24 and 31, and for next week, August 14 and following.
“Read John 20:24-31 (Jesus appears to ‘doubting’ Thomas). Notice how compassionately Jesus deals with doubts, which are a natural part of a faith journey. Periods of doubt and questioning can lead to a stronger, more deeply held faith. The key is to keep the conversation going with the Lord…”
From The Ignatian Adventure by Father Kevin O’Brien, SJ (1966-, lawyer, Jesuit priest, retreat director, theology professor, President of Santa Clara University).
“May the Holy Spirit guide us in our seeking a fuller relationship with God.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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August 14, 2019
Spiritual but not Religious – 5
Dear Friends,
Last week I began looking at the Church’s or our response to persons who use the expression “I am spiritual but not religious.”
Today I want to focus especially on our response in preaching.
I believe that our homilies at Mass need to do the following:
- Present God as loving us unconditionally and never wavering in that love
- Avoid presenting God as vindictive and punishing
- Present Jesus as the way to grow fully into the image and likeness of God
- Avoid presenting Jesus as just a lawgiver who merely gives us dos and don’ts
- Present the gospel as the Good News of God’s love in Jesus Christ
- Avoid presenting the gospel as a message of fear and fire and brimstone
- Present God as abiding within us through the Holy Spirit
- Avoid presenting God as distant or as one whose presence we have to earn
- Present Christianity as respecting the inherent dignity of each person
- Avoid presenting Christianity as harping upon sin and unworthiness
- Present the Church as a community of persons joined in faith for our earthly journey
- Avoid presenting the Church as primarily an institution or hierarchy that is the sole possessor of truth to the exclusion of others.
I believe that the above are traits that our homilies need to have today.
For more on this theme, see the Inbox Inspirations of July 17, 24 and 31, August 7, and for next week, August 21 and following.
“Are you looking for more? The spiritual life begins with this question. To be a spiritual person means to thirst for that ‘something more.’ Spiritual health is found through quenching that thirst for something deeper by drinking from the right cup…” (to be continued next week)
From 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness by Joe Paprocki (Active Catholic layperson, Doctor of Ministry, pastoral minister, consultant for Loyola Press, speaker and author).
“May the Holy Spirit guide us in our seeking a fuller relationship with God.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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August 21, 2019
Spiritual but not Religious – 6
Dear Friends,
Today I am continuing my thoughts from last week about our homilies relating to persons who use the expression “I am spiritual but not religious.”
I think these ideas will also lead to much better spiritual nourishment for those who already see themselves as both spiritual and religious.
So, a few more thoughts on what I believe our homilies at Mass must do:
- Present the Church as catholic in the sense of universal, wanting to include all and to mediate the unconditional love of God
- Avoid presenting the Church as primarily emphasizing who is included and who is excluded
- Present the Church as Catholic in the sense of having a rich tradition of faith, spirituality and sacramentality that derives from Jesus and the apostles
- Avoid presenting the Church as Catholic in the sense that those who are not part of this community will not enjoy the salvation of Jesus
- Present moral teachings with the values that lie underneath them
- Avoid presenting moral teachings merely as norms to be obeyed to avoid hell
- Present the ordained as spiritual leaders through the Sacrament of Holy Orders but still as part of and walking with the rest of the People of God
- Avoid presenting the ordained as higher than the rest of the People of God.
These directions will help our homilies and our Catholic teaching to relate to life today, especially to those who see themselves as spiritual but not religious.
For more on this theme, see the Inbox Inspirations of July 17, 24 and 31, August 7, and 14, and for next week, August 28 and following.
“Unfortunately, for many people Christianity has come to be seen less as a spiritual path and more as a code of ethics. Christianity does indeed involve a moral code, but at the core of Jesus’ Good News is an invitation to walk a spiritual path that leads to intimacy with our Creator.”
From 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness by Joe Paprocki (Active Catholic layperson, Doctor of Ministry, pastoral minister, consultant for Loyola Press, speaker and author).
“May the Holy Spirit guide us in our seeking a fuller relationship with God.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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August 28, 2019
Spiritual but not Religious – 7
Dear Friends,
I have been reflecting on the expression “I am spiritual but not religious” and on the Church’s or our response to this.
Obviously, I say and would like others to be able to say, “I am spiritual and religious.”
The entire mission of Jesus Christ was directed to us as a people – to all of humanity.
Christ loves us and saves us personally, but also as a community.
The Scripture tells us that by being connected with one another, we are the living Body of Christ.
Making this happen is the purpose of religion or of the Church.
No question, our Church cannot only be about rituals or codes of conduct.
We cannot just perform sacraments as prescribed words and actions.
We cannot preach the Word of God without spirit and reflection.
Instead, we, especially we priests need to put our heart into the meaning of ritual.
We need to be aware of and convey the wonder of God’s presence in the sacraments.
And we need to get in touch with how the Word of God speaks personally to us and then how it might be speaking to those in our community and world.
When we do this, we are being spiritual and religious.
We are offering and nurturing and enriching spirituality.
When we fail to do this, we actually risk being religious but not spiritual.
So, we have a great opportunity and a great calling – I have no doubt about this.
For more on this theme, see the Inbox Inspirations of July 17, 24 and 31, August 7, 14, and 21, and for next week, September 4, the conclusion of this series.
“Religions are communities of transformation…. They have the very practical purpose of transforming the self and the world – the transformation of the self from an old way of being to a new way of being, and the transformation of the world through compassion. These two transformations are central to all enduring religions.”
From The Holy Longing by Father Ronald Rolheiser, O.M.I. (1947-. Canadian, first vows as Oblate of Mary Immaculate in 1966, ordained to priesthood in 1972, Doctorate in Theology, author and speaker).
“May the Holy Spirit guide us in our seeking a fuller relationship with God.”
Father Michael Schleupner
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September 4, 2019
Spiritual but not Religious – 8
Dear Friends,
I say and would like others to be able to say, “I am spiritual and religious.”
Belonging to a church and participating in a religion has real value for us.
Being part of a church or faith community or being religious:
- Gives us the sacraments as moments of God’s action in our lives (especially in Catholicism) and a sacramental sense of life in general
- Responds to a need within us to celebrate important parts and dimensions of our lives with others
- Helps to shape our image of God and that in turn helps to shape who we become as persons and how we relate to others
- Assists in forming our conscience and in discerning right from wrong
- Moves us in developing both personal and social justice moral dimensions for our lives
- Keeps us from being narrow or even self-focused in our vision and lifestyle
- Enhances our opportunity to experience the love of God in and through others
- Connects us with a long and living tradition of faith.
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