Summer Newsletter Article

‘…everyone did what was right in his own eyes.’

Judges 21:25

            Brothers and sisters in Christ, surely you have heard it before.  ‘I am spiritual, but not religious.’  It has become the theological mantra of my generation – according to a LifeWay Christian Resources survey in 2009, 72% of people aged 19-30 say that they are ‘more spiritual than religious.’  Chances are, some of them are in our families, maybe some are in our pews on Sundays and Mondays, and without a doubt people walk by our chapel on the campus of Central Michigan University every day who call themselves spiritual, but not religious. 

            What does it mean to be spiritual, but not religious?  It seems harmless enough, doesn’t it?  And isn’t it better, after all, to be spiritual than unspiritual?  Aren’t we taught that God is a spirit?  Being spiritual but not religious has to do with a person being spiritually connected to a power greater than themselves, but without having to choose an organized religion to do so.  Now, that statement is by no means an attempt to define what it means to be spiritual but not religious for each person who applies the label to themselves, but it does get to the heart of the issue; connection with an almighty power without the rules, and traditions of a classical theological framework defining that connection.

            The quest for spiritual connection is universal and well documented.  In the book of Acts, Paul stood in the Areopagus and told the men of Athens, ‘I perceive that in all things you are very religious.’  Surrounded by temples to every imaginable deity – even an altar to ‘the unknown god’ – Paul preached of the man ordained by God who was raised from the dead; Jesus Christ.

            The quest for spiritual connection apart from religion, however, is not so common.  Apart from the major world religions like Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam, people have still organized themselves into sects and cults, gathering together with others who believe as they do to practice their beliefs.  Even atheists gather together to discuss that in which they do not believe.  While the self-chosen label of being spiritual but not religious would seem to preclude any religious tendencies among the people who call themselves spiritual but not religious, it is my contention that it actually is a religious movement. 

            To people my age and younger, it sounds very wise and non-judgmental to define yourself as ‘spiritual but not religious’ – after all, for the last decade or so, it has been a convenient label without much baggage or definition.  It is a label that can be self applied in most any social situation, and because it does not directly denounce or prefer one particular religion, friends and family would rarely raise a fuss.  Like so many things of humanity’s own creation, however, it has developed into a full blown movement, complete with its own dogma and traditions.  If you don’t believe me, Google (that is, use www.google.com to search the internet for) ‘SBNR’ (yes, there is already an acronym for this ‘non-religion’, along with a Facebook fan page, and, coming in July, a website: www.sbnr.org).

            The point of this article is not to analyze and debunk the beliefs of those who call themselves SBNR – that can come at another time.  Rather, the goal is to make you aware that, in spite of the actual words used by those who call themselves spiritual but not religious, it has become its own religion.  It is not a spiritually neutral statement, and considering the following it has among the young people we are trying to reach with the Gospel on CMU’s campus and in the community, it will bear us well to keep that in mind.

            Perhaps it will be a spiritual fad like so many others, but I urge you to be vigilant with your faith in your homes.  Speak with your children about your faith in Christ, the one who became flesh for us, and who died and rose in that flesh to everlasting life for the forgiveness of our sins.  Faith in the man who is also God, Jesus Christ, is the only true religion.

            To Christ alone be all the glory, forever and ever, amen.