Radicalized religion has our attention. What else does it want?
War with religion? War with those of us struggling to practice a religion of love and a life of meaning?
I doubt it. No matter how much destruction radicals inflict upon religion, radicalized religion would be destroyed if they messed with religion.
But we can ask, why did radicalized religion reach such a crisis point?
Perhaps it’s because our religious policies are failing us.
Perhaps it’s because religion is divided by creeds specific to human behaviors and thinking rather than specific to worship of God.
Perhaps it’s because we are so busy lighting candles, reading Bible lessons, and maintaining buildings rather than increasing spirituality and correct interpretations of spiritual texts?
Thing is we need to do more because radicalized religion doesn’t only bother the religious. The nonreligious are also afflicted since radicals aim at anyone who doesn’t agree with them.
The nonreligious try to stop the radicals with bullets. How can the religious help?
It is time for religious thinkers to take the baton and run the race that eliminates radicalization by designing relevant policies and practices. It is time for religious thinkers to hold off defending their beliefs and go full force advocating the love of Christ.
The new ideas that come with progress don’t mean we give up lighting candles or stop reading sacred texts.
The other night I attended a village prayer vigil. We came together with our differing religious backgrounds.
Scriptures read were: I John 4:7-8, 18-21 and Isaiah 58.
A moment of individual prayer was respected.
And we all sang together a couple of times. The departing song was:
This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Everywhere I go, let it shine, let it shine. Won’t let anyone blow it out; I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. All around the world, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.
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