Is faith more authentic when it kneels publicly to weep with religious passion, or when it prays privately and quietly in a darkened room?
Only the Almighty knows. But there are segments of the population that feel uncomfortable with one or the other, which, to them, makes their own particular method correct.
Some religious cultures expect adherents to make a noise: to celebrate loudly, mourn visibly, and exhort with conviction. Others appreciate a more restrained response, with designated places and times for religious activities while maintaining placid and calm facades in-between.
One style may shout religious slogans to announce their faith, while another may wear certain clothing or jewelry, and still another may use hand signals or body position.
The varying styles of expressing faith may be the reason for the existence of so many religious groups, but it’s a chicken and egg question. Maybe the existence of so many religious groups results in the variety of religious expression.
We’ve all found ways to express our deepest spirits safely because if we let them out of the box, there is no telling what might happen. Prayer and praise, the approach to God, the mystical work of the Creator in our midst: have the power to move us to tears, to deep thought and, often, to change.
That’s hard to handle, day in and day out, and those are just the spiritual confrontations.
It’s never happened, but a physical face-to-face with my Maker would render me absolutely speechless with awe and completely unable to function.
So we set our souls aside while we attend to practical matters like food and shelter.
But our souls, or spirits, are part of us, just like our minds and bodies. Sure, for much of the past century, science pooh-poohed the notion that our spirits had any real connection to our minds and bodies.
Now, though, a whole industry has erupted to teach us how to connect mind, body and spirit.
Physicians use spiritual exercises to battle cancer and other diseases, and fitness instructors and educators advise meditation to overcome obstacles to physical and mental prowess.
Organized religion is about the only segment in society that isn’t fervently advocating a mind-body-soul meld, even though long-established religions have a history of teaching how the mind, body and soul intertwine.
Unfortunately, religious circles take it for granted that followers understand the relationship. The assumption is not necessarily accurate, or people would not seek spiritual sustenance in gyms, clinics and clubs.
Organized religion tends to package up faith and spirituality in a dull-looking box, hide it in a building, and then dare people to come and get it — but only on certain days at certain times. It’s rarely delivered, and almost never to newbies. It seldom tumbles into the street or the neighbourhood.
That’s too bad, because our spirits thrive when they are nourished in the presence of others. Studying and practising a lively, authentic and open faith excites our bodies, minds and souls.
The spirit, especially when joined with others, is a powerful, world-altering force. It is also part of the human condition, just like thinking or dreaming; just like the blood pumping through our bodies. We ignore it at our peril.
And however we display it — publicly or privately — is just fine. It’s a pretty good bet that the Almighty understands.
Monica Graham is a freelance writer living in rural Pictou County.
