Our individual spiritual journeys

In this particular column I am sharing one person’s individual spiritual journey. May each reader decide for themselves whether any part of it (or none of it) could help better their own spiritual experience in any way.

Nothing I write here is meant as a condemnation of anyone’s personal religious beliefs. If taken as such, I beg to consider that the reader is gravely mistaken.

I make it a standard practice to never (and I do mean never) strive to push my personal views of religion on others. Nor will I attempt to do so here. Freedom of religion is, indeed, our foremost and most cherished of American liberties.

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I have found that three words are all I need to aptly summarize my entire spiritual belief system; God is love. At first glance that may seem a bit narrow. On the contrary, I have gratefully discovered that there are an infinite number of ways to put real unconditional love into practice.

One may well make a valid statement that every person on Earth has their “own” individualized form of worship (including the choice not to worship in any way at all). Certainly no two people think exactly the same way about everything - not even those who have allowed themselves to become so deeply indoctrinated by a particular religious persuasion that they have come to think of their version of faith as the “only true way” (as I have heard so often in my life, particular in my own beloved region of the world).

I was raised in a Southern Baptist church. I was ordained as a Baptist deacon. I even transfered colleges from ETSU to Carson-Newman with the intention of becoming a Baptist preacher. I read the entire Bible through twice and the entire New Testament from beginning to end dozens of times.

Though I have nothing personal in all this world against Baptists (Lordamighty, do they know how to cook up a big ol’ foodfest), I no longer identify directly as a Baptist.

In fact, I no longer directly identify with any particular religious denomination. Again, I have nothing personally against any of them. I simply have found my spiritual way by means other than organized standard religion. I am far from alone in this type of spiritual journey. More and more people are realizing how remarkably enlightening such a journey can be.

Therefore, I am not at all a “religious” person, at least not in the standard formal sense of the word. One can be staunchly religious and not a very spiritual person in everyday practice. Likewise, one may not be religious at all and still be a highly spiritual person - both in belief and in deed. I identify much more with the latter. (One can also be both deeply religious and deeply spiritual, but such a combo is much harder to pull off without becoming at least somewhat judgmental and condemning of the religious beliefs of others.)

However, if I can be “pigeon-holed” (which I likely cannot) I suppose I identify fairly well with most Quaker thought and practice.

Quakerism is not a religion. It is not even a denomination. It is simply a way of worship. Plain. Like us Quakers. (One could in fact adhere to Quaker ways and still identify as a Baptist, a Methodist, a Jew, a Muslim, or even as a pagan or an agnostic - as we will see.)

Quakers often refer to themselves as Friends, but are generally known to the world as Quakers. If they hold a primary belief, it is this: Within every human soul there dwells an element of God that exists independent of that soul’s gender, race, age, nationality, sexual orientation, social status, worldy wealth, or religion.

This presence of God within us all is often acknowledged as the Inner Light of which Christ spoke (Gospel of John 1:9). Quaker opposition to racism, sexism, religious intolerance, warfare, and the death penalty come from this belief.

Inner revelation is given precedence over religious doctrine and tradition. Therefore, the Quaker emphasis on education and freedom of thought.

Simplicity, Integrity, Justice, Mercy, and Peace - these five tenets perhaps best summarize Quakerism in practice.

Quakerism is not involved in mandating specific religious beliefs nor with performing specific religious practices. Being a Quaker involves only each person’s direct experience with God. Therefore, there is no real need for a clergy. All people have direct and equal access to God, if they would but realize it. An intermediary is not necessary. (Please note that I did not state that religious intermediaries were never helpful on a spiritual journey, just that they are not absolutely necessary - and can sometimes, in fact, be a hindrance toward healthy, open-minded thought.)

A Quaker meeting for worship is largely silent, with each individual “listening” quietly to the Inner Light, as opposed to constantly “telling” or “praying for” what one desires. Quakers believe that the Almighty knows our needs far better than do we, so we see no need to ask for anything. We simply listen. Because that is when one can hear the still, small voice of God best. In silence.

Quakers, though deeply spiritual, are often scientific-minded. They are not afraid to “doubt” in their search for truth. They acknowledge religion’s many apparent contradictions and rely on the Inner Light to either resolve or reveal them.

For instance, to claim that evolution is “untrue” is to claim that “things never change over time.” However, we all know that all things change over time, which is precisely what makes evolution so elegantly and obviously true. Even from a simple observation of the natural world, one sees constant adaptation and change. Given enough time, all things will inevitably change - and eventually change a lot - including big-brained primates, such as we.

Quakers are encouraged to “walk cheerfully over the world, finding that of God in everyone”. Perhaps this is why we Quakers can often be found seeking out others in jails, prisons, homeless alleyways, and mental health facilities - places where our fellow children of God are too often forgotten.

Quakers are encouraged to take advantage of learning from other than religious sources, in particular from philosophy and science. Again, the great Quaker emphasis on learning and excellence in education.

Quakers emphasize humility of spirit and simplicity of living. Certainly they are by no means against making honest money (indeed, many are quite independently wealthy business owners), but they use much of their money and time with the intent of bettering the lives of those within their communities.

Though peaceable by intention, Quakers are known to be relentless when it comes to seeking justice, particularly in the areas of human rights, environmental responsibility, penal reform, and peace initiatives.

To Quakers, there is no distinction between the sacramental and the secular. No one day or place or activity is more spiritual or more sacred than any other. All aspects of life are sacred and spiritual.

To this end, you are likely to find me behaving “pretty much the same”, whether I’m present at a formally rigid and piously dignified setting with staunchly religious people - or participating in a corn-hole-tossin’, moonshine-sippin’, hell-raisin’ party out by a campfire beneath a full moon with my rowdiest friends. (If hard pressed, I will profess to often preferring the company of the latter folk mentioned. I have generally found them to be considerably less judgmental and condemning of their fellow man and woman.)