“In many ways I see that you are very religious.”  St. Paul at the Areopagus in Athens

“Religion is the opiate of the masses.”  Karl Marx

“I am spiritual, but not religious.”  How many times have you heard someone say that?  Perhaps you have said it yourself as a reaction against “organized religion” or an excuse for not going to church.  In my pastoral days I used to bridle at that phrase.  However, I now give it a great deal of credence, for I believe there is a difference between being religious, or what I choose to call practicing “religiosity”, and living what might be called “Resurrection Faith.” 

What is Religiosity?  It is subscribing in word and deed to religious ideas and beliefs, that are then acted out in various forms in one’s daily life.

In religiosity “god” (however that is defined) is seen as being faraway, transcendent, and unknowable.  As a result, there is a constant seeking after this unknown and elusive god.

Furthermore, this deity is seen as being rather capricious, unpredictable, and punitive.  This god gets pleasure out of punishing, sometimes for the most benign of infractions.  Thus, there is a desire and constant striving to earn the favor of this deity.  This can take various forms, whether it be by following a set standard, codified in some sort of rule or law, or by offering up sacrifices to please and appease god.  This principal and practice is played out repeatedly in religions throughout history, even that of Christianity.   

Another fundamental element of religiosity is the importance of slavishly observing rituals, often-times based on tradition or superstition.

All of this is fueled by a desire to “get it right” or “be right” with god or the deity being worshipped.  This inevitably results in a spiritual hubris in which one looks down upon anyone who doesn’t subscribe to the same beliefs or act in the same way.

Religiosity is quite common, even with those who claim to want nothing to do with “organized religion.”  For ironically one can and often does follow an idol of their own choosing, even if it isn’t one that is recognized in the prevailing culture.

Contrast this with what I’m calling “Resurrection Faith.”   

First, God is not dead but living.  And God is near and known.  That is what Paul says in the context of the above passage.  It’s not that one has to expend a great deal of effort to “find” God, for God is near and dear to each.  It is what traditionally was called “pan-entheism.”

God is also loving, not punitive.  Love is the nature of who God is.  And because God is loving, God is therefore pleased with each of us.  With everyone in fact!  Pleased not for what we do for God, but simply for who we are.  In my experience this is the most difficult premise for people to believe.

Because God is loving, we have the freedom to live.  To live not as those who are enslaved constantly trying to serve God, but living in joyful love for others.

And finally, all of this results in embracing our own humanity, seeing ourselves and others as we really are.  This is the definition of humility, not pride. So what do you think?  Or more importantly, what do you believe?  And even more important, what do you practice?  Religiosity or Resurrection Faith?