True Religion

May 1, 2024 Open Religion No Comments

Religions often view each other as ‘false.’ In this sense, every religion is deemed false by someone within the religious sphere.

But can we fundamentally talk about ‘false religion’?

Religious feelings are never false.

That’s an essential point. One can fake religious feelings, but then there are no genuine feelings to be false.

True religious feelings, by definition, are never false.

False religion

Elsewhere, I distinguish between religion of anxiety and religion of Compassion.

Additionally, a false religion is one that disregards the religious feelings of its adherents.

That said, it’s better to talk further about true religion than its counterpart from now on.

True religion

Whether talking about God or anything else, true religion evokes genuine religious feelings.

Providing Opening-tools – such as meaningful symbols and rituals – can set things on the right path and allow the rest to evolve naturally.

This is not about one or the other specific symbol or ritual. There is no ‘symbol X’ that makes people religious.

True religion understands and realizes this.

True religion is a tool that should make itself superfluous as much as possible.

This aim of not being an end by itself is more than a practical feature; it goes to the core. True religion is like the riverbed, not the flow of the water, nor even the water itself.

Even so, the riverbed can change over time. The ‘eternal truth’ of religion exists but only in depth. As a superficial feature (straightforward dogmatism), it hinders the eternal character.

Unfortunately, many age-old religions still need to discover this. These are not true religions.

So, the main feature is depth.

This accords with the main aim of religion, which is preserving the value of human depth, especially in difficult times. Today, with so many superficial distractions, the religious (or ‘spiritual’) task is clear and urgent. Without it, the inner flame can die, leading to a collective burnout — which is already occurring to a large extent.

Burning out due to a lack of spiritual fuel.

True religion provides the fuel we need, but it’s up to us to use it.

Can you feel this?