Practice

 July 9, 2020

Practice

“God has no religion.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

 

 

Imagine that. Can you? Have you ever thought of this perspective?

Religion is without a doubt a creation of humanity, not God. Not Jesus.

 

So, how do we justify such religion?

Here’s my take and I’d love to hear of yours….

 

I love the fact that people “believe” in God even when they aren’t a part of a group of fellow believers. And yet, I feel concern for every one of them. Not that I need to control what they “believe” but rather, I need them to monitor my own beliefs. Seriously- belief/faith without accountability is pretty lonely and fairly unstable.

 

The program of Alcoholics Anonymous is a group that I think is growing, or, has reached a plateau of membership that is impressive.  They practice “belief” not so much as a cohesive whole, but with individuality and utter respect for the other; they meditate and pray every day each in their own way taught as a matter of practice and they remain accountable for their actions by daily contact with other travelers as they “trudge the road of happy destiny.”

 

So who of us prays and meditates, stays in daily contact with another, and remains accountable to another for our actions? I would guess few.

 

I guess, for the sake of argument, religion is having a hard time justifying itself, other than the fact that billions of dollars annually flow to others in need, millions find solace and belonging in the place of memories, bellies are fed, bodies are clothed, families are housed by the combined efforts of churches around the world.

 

Imagine what we could do if we took up the practices of AA?

 

I’ll forget about justifying religion and instead I’ll celebrate it and seek out the friends of who are AA to suggest a few pointers.

 

How about you?

 

Loving you-  Rev. Ken