Are You a “None”?

A growing number of young people (under thirty, also called the Millennials) do not identify themselves with any major religion.  They are “religiously unaffiliated.”  Hence they are being called the “Nones” because in surveys, when asked about their religious affiliation, they check the “NONE” or “None of the Above” category.  (See articles on this topic by the Pew Research Center on Religion & Public Life.)

Many of them are not necessarily atheists or agnostics; they’re more like what I would call “Spiritual Independents”?  They don’t disbelieve in God as such, but they reject institutionalized religion.  For one, they have no need for organized religion acting as a gatekeeper to God, believing they have just as much right of access to God (through prayer, for example) as those who belong to a religious institution.  More to the point, they especially dislike institutionalized religions apparent over emphasis on money, power, and politics, not to mention rules.  So, they identify themselves as being “spiritual” but NOT “religious.”

As an acting member and pastoral leader within an organized religious institution (The Mennonite Church, USA), I understand the distaste for organized religion and its apparent over emphasis on rules and regulations, money, power, and politics.  But my challenge to the independent “NONES” respecting spirituality is that, try as you like, you shall never overcome “organizing” and/or “institutionalization” of some sort when it comes to expressing or engaging with one’s spirituality.   Here’s why.

Spirituality is communal by nature.  Humans are essentially social creatures.  No one can effectively embrace a faith or exercise an idea of spirituality as a “Lone Ranger.”  It just doesn’t work that way.  All individuals eventually share their “faith/spirituality” with others.  And, as soon as one or two get together to share spiritual thoughts, ideas, and experiences it becomes de facto a form of “organized religion” and moves toward “institutionalization.”  This would also be true with respect to politics, by the way.

Being “spiritual” or admitting to being a “spiritual person” is in effect also admitting to being “religious.”  That is, to embrace “Spirituality” is to embrace the numinous; it is to embrace and believe in the Supernatural and all that that entails in terms of the Mystery of Life, such as the mystery of Divinity or Divine Essence, or Divine Being, for example; that which is Holy, ethereal, and/or completely OTHER.  And that is what “religion” is all about.  In other words, one’s belief and practices about one’s “spirituality” will have form and substance and defining boundaries.  Thus, it is indeed a religious act to believe in and express spiritual-ness or spirituality.

It seems to me that the real sticking point is religious authority.  Who has the right to determine, define or confine, prescribe or proscribe your spiritual activity, expression, values, beliefs, and practices?  Perhaps the most authentic answer that a “NONE” can give is: “I do.  I myself will determine my own spirituality and define god on my own terms, and decide how I shall then worship this god of mine in my own way.”  Question: if that is the actual case, how do you get beyond your SELF?  In effect your god is no greater than you are, and is therefore no real god at all.  That’s a real problem when it comes to authentic spirituality.

If spirituality were merely a process, an exercise in human ingenuity or skill, no different than let’s say developing a skill such as singing or dancing or some other artistic expression within the human psyche or spirit, well, then it is quite fitting to create one’s own pathway in developing one’s own spirituality.  And I dare say many indeed think that that is all that true spirituality really is.  But is it?

If there is a God out there that is OTHER, qualitatively distinct and different from humanity, a Living Being that is self-aware, with knowledge and volition, and purpose or intent and self-will, then developing one’s own personal skill in spiritual expression falls short.  Question: How does one appropriately prepare to “meet” or “connect” with a God like that?  And who’s to say?  It would seem obvious that only God could say—that is, only God could provide the road map as to how to appropriately connect with God.

Throughout history, there have been quality human beings who have lived here on earth and have pointed the way by sharing their own lived experience: “Look see, this is what I have done, this is what I have learned, how I have come to “taste” a bit of the Celestial realm, the glory of the heavens; do as I do and you too can have a taste of it.”  Jesus, on the other hand, said “I AM,” taste me.  (See John 6:35ff and 8:23-58.)

Yes, of course, it is obvious that major religions clash.  And it is difficult if not seemingly impossible to determine which religion is TRUE, if any.  For, all religions claim, “We are the True Faith!”  At the same time, there is nothing new under the sun.  This generation has not and will not suddenly come up with a whole new religion or form of spirituality that no human has ever practiced before on the face of this earth.  Nevertheless, in the end, all religions agree that only God will have the final word on that score.  God determines how humans will come to know God.  Jesus pretty much claims such knowledge, power, and authority.  So, if you are a NONE, I challenge you to study Jesus; He may just be the enlightenment that you are looking for, or may want to experience.