I’ve actually heard people, well one person that I can remember, say this out loud — “The problem is organized religion”. And I sort of think the same way. But only sort of. I am currently not “affiliated” with any religion. Aside from the Kansas City Friends of Jung, I’m not a member of any church, temple, synagogue, congregation, gathering, meeting, club, circle, group, or troop. And I really don’t see myself participating in any “organized” religion in the near future.
The problem is that I also don’t participate in any religion. Period. And that’s something I need to change.
If we are going to condemn “organized” religion as the root of all evil then unorganized religion must be the holy grail. If “organized” religion is causing physical and psycological harm to the world then there must be another form or type of religion that is good. Otherwise we would leave off the “organized” adjective and just say “religion”.
Is it really the “organized” part that we don’t like or is it really the “organizers”? Or is it the dogma? Is it really possible to have a religion that is not “organized”? Weren’t the apostles “organized” in the early Christian church? What would a non-organized religion look like? I mean, it seems to me that Wiccans, Pagans, Animists, etc. are really all rather organized. They have books and meetings and levels, don’t they? Is it really just power-hungry, money-hungry authority figures that we abhor? Are there no power-hungry Wiccans?
Maybe I just don’t understand the definition of “organized” when it comes to religion.
So, I’m asking everyone who is against “organized” religion — and not just “religion” — to let me in on their secrets and explain their good-for-me religion. What spiritual practices to you do? How do you worship? Do you worship alone or in a small, unorganized group? How did you find your religion? What do you call your God? What happens after you die?
These are serious questions and I am petitioning serious answers. One of my goals for 2007 is to start some kind of spiritual practice. I don’t think it will be going to church but it has got to be something. I’ve been bad-mouthing other people’s religious beliefs far too long without having any of my own.
It’s time to starting doing … something.
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