Spiritual Saturday: The Search

SWF, 28 seeks Spiritual Practice (age not important).  

Pros: An understanding and willingness to forgive.

Cons: Prejudice, judgmental nature, arrogance

An established deity is not a must.

I don't subscribe to any particular religion. As of right now, I am an atheist. I acknowledge the greatness of the universe and nature. Its vastness and intrigue overwhelms me. I don't need to create an omnipitent figure to fill in the blanks though. It is what it is.

I do believe that it is possible to have some sense of spirituality without being involved in an organized religion. I read a NY Times article a while ago (and of course I can't find it now) in which a priest claimed that an individual cannot have a connection to spirituality without direct involvement in an organized religion. I believe he said it was lazy.

I'm not lazy, I was involved in my church as a young person. I was active in the teen group and worked in the rectory two nights a week. I portrayed the Virgin Mary during our living Stations of the Cross during lent, I was the archangel Gabriel during the Christmas homily on Sunday in Advent. I went to church before school on the high holy days. My dad and I participated in a weekly prayer group where we transported a statue of the Virgin Mary to a different home every Saturday night. When it came to my faith I was anything but lazy. Then my church came tumbling down off the pedestal upon which it had sat for years. Ever since, I have floundered, researched and considered converting to numerous different religions.

Yet, organized religion has been responsible for some of the greatest atrocities known to man. You don't want to convert? Ok, we'll just kill you then. Gee, sign me up!



Whaddya mean no divorce?


Religions have been created and manipulated, altered and converted for numerous reasons. The Anglican Church was founded because the See of Rome was taking a few too many liberties with the autonomy of the King of England. He wanted a divorce, Rome wanted to maintain its allegiance to Spain and the Holy Roman Emperor. (No, I did not get all of this from The Tudors. I have been obsessed with the chubby monarch for years. Though Showtime's Henry was much more delicious. Scandalous Irishman!)

My issue with the fluidity of the evolving of religion is that I question the sanctity. How am I supposed to adhere to a divine law that changes with ease depending on who is in charge?



My point, religion in its essence is fluid. A connection to god, a higher power or the universe requires the ability to release, let go and allow in. To give yourself over to the belief in a system an opening must take place. I embrace my belief in nothing, because in nothing there is nothing taking up space. There is room for growth. I believe in an essence, a soul if you will. What happens to this essence when I die, who knows? Will I splinter into tiny little stars? Will nothing happen and I once again join the soil from which my ancestor clambered eons ago? I don't know and I won't know because no one can come back to tell me. I don't lack faith. So, don't insult my intelligence by saying that that is my problem.









Off with her... what?

copyright 2011 Michelle Cahill