New York Times columnist Ross Douthat's new book, Bad Religion, has been getting a lot of attention lately. It would not be fair to comment on a book I haven't read, but I can say this: I love the subtitle: How We Became a Nation of Heretics.
Judging from reviews and interviews, Douthat doesn't think it's good that we are a nation of heretics. I think it's great. Here is a typical dictionary definition of heretic: "One who dissents from an accepted belief or doctrine." Most dictionaries add something like this: "especially one who publicly dissents from the officially accepted dogma of the Roman Catholic Church." Only orthodox believers would argue that objecting to conventional religious dogma is a bad thing, especially in the case of a religion dominated by a hierarchy of monastic men. But there is more to the notion of heresy than theological disagreement. The word heretic derives from the Greek hairetikos, which means "able to choose." If that's the underlying meaning, what could be more American than heresy? The early settlers braved the treacherous seas to practice their heresies in peace. The Founders installed the right to heresy in our founding documents. But why stop there? Socrates was a heretic. Galileo. Martin Luther. Jesus Christ himself, for God's sake (if you'll excuse the multiple entendre). To the extent that religion evolves, it's largely because heretics rise up against prevailing dogmas.
According to one reviewer, Ross Douthat "laments the departure from what he calls 'a Christian center,'" whose glory years he places in the 1950s. Well, that nice stable "center" was as illusory as the nice stable suburbs, nuclear families and sexual mores of that era. Hearts and minds teemed with unrest, at home and in the churches, and the baby boomer children grew up and voiced it. Heresy was inevitable, and in the 1960s we became better "able to choose" in both senses of the term. Not only were we allowed to choose our spiritual orientations -- or lack of them -- without fear of serious retribution, but we also became capable of choosing wisely and sensibly. Thanks to revolutions in communication and transportation, we had unprecedented access to a wide range of alternative world-views -- secular philosophies, variations on Judeo-Christian theology and, most important, Hinduism and Buddhism. Eastern ideas broadened us, and the methodologies of meditation and yoga deepened us. For the first time, vast numbers of "heretics" were "able to choose" authentic spiritual paths without surrendering their freedom of thought.
Millions of us began to reject religious tribalism, once-size-fits-all salvation formulas and truth claims that do not stand up to science and reason. They declared that doubt is good, that questioning religious authority is smart and exploring alternatives to conventional belief is virtually essential. In this they were supported by wise spiritual leaders who encouraged free inquiry, with the caveat that it be undertaken with rigor, discernment and humility.
The result has not been spiritual anarchy, as many critics contend, but an open market where seekers take responsibility for their own spiritual lives and make informed choices. Contrary to the fears voiced by traditionalists, most of the cohort of unaffiliated heretics known as spiritual but not religious, or "nones," do not reject authority as such, or spurn spiritual guidance as such. They reject authoritarianism and seek guidance from an array of sources, not just the one assigned to them by virtue of ancestry or geography. And they are, as a group, no more superficial or narcissistic than the folks who occupy pews in conventional houses of worship -- maybe less so. As someone once said, sitting in a church does not make you spiritual, any more than sitting in a garage makes you a car.
This decades-long surge of "heresy" is a quintessentially American phenomenon, and I believe it will prove to be a turning point in our history. Conservatives like Douthat, who pine for a mythical version of a church-centered postwar world, might lament that, but I say thank God for heretics. They broaden our minds and deepen our spirits. The challenge will be to make sure this age of anti-dogmatic spirituality does not produce its own rigid orthodoxies, which will only have to be smashed by future heretics.
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Reading Douthat's defense of traditional Christian faith, I was reminded of this quote from the Vedanta Society website:
"Just as we honor the various world religions and respect their adherents, we must grow and deepen in our own particular spiritual path--whatever it may be. We shouldn't dabble in a little bit of Buddhism and a little bit of Islam and a little bit of Christianity and then try a new combo plate the following week. Spiritual practice is not a smorgasbord. If we throw five varieties of desserts into a food processor, we'll just get one unpalatable mess.
"While Vedanta emphasizes the harmony of religions, it also stresses the necessity of diving deep into the spiritual tradition of our choice, sticking with it, and working hard. To paraphrase Ramakrishna, If you want to dig a well, you have to choose your location and keep digging until you reach water. It doesn't do any good to dig a bunch of shallow holes."
Seekers after the Truth should hesitate before repudiating a book they haven't actually read. I'm an agnostic, but I recognize that after 2000 years of prayer, practice, contemplation, theological debate, division, reformation, tragic mistakes and disasters, gloriously inspired art and architecture, and a great legacy of active charity, the core beliefs and traditions of the Catholic Church--now often ignored, distorted or forgotten--might require a spokesman to attempt to reassert them. I believe that's what author Douthat is attempting to do, and I'm happy to learn what I can from his effort.
My best to you. Enjoyed your talk and show last week. Keep up the good work, and yes--by all means--go deep!
As I confessed in my book "A Voluptuous God: A Christian Heretic Speaks", when surrounded by conventional Christians I often feel as though I am wearing a scarlet H. The arrogant tone of Douthat's title and book mirrors the patriarchal religion of which he speaks. It is true that Jesus was a Jewish heretic for more than one reason--not the least of which was his spiritual practice (table fellowship) of eating and drinking with everyone--especially the outsiders and the religiously unclean.
Yes, we must transcend the narrow confines of religious tribalism and open ourselves to the deeper consciousness that there is one tribe, the human tribe, and the earth is our shared home. Our hope lies not in reclaiming authoritarian religion but opening up to the possibility that in each and everyone of us there is a divine spark that reveals reminds us of that the truth lives in not only each one of us, but all of us.
I continue to be nourished by "American Veda" as an enduring reminder of the One manifest in many. Douthat clearly prefers the One as the power over all.
It's time to move on Ross.
- Alan Watts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OG3j-zGlOC4 (starts around 2:47)
I found myself stuck in the wrong club. Church has always been a dark and sticky place to me, a tomb where people bury their own thoughts under one single, dusty book. I rather walked in the woods and looked for some old pagan deities than go to church. It took me quite some years to find my way out of that. Today, I am working with friends to build up an association for pagans. No spokesmen of any god, no constraint in belief, no determined rites, no institutionalization.
Some people call us heretic, others say we are esoteric, odd, naive, behind the times, the list is long. I say we are taking our responsibility. Every belief comes along with an obligation towards knowledge (that also includes scientific knowledge) and philanthropy. You don't 'believe' just because you have nothing better to do with your brain. Spirituality is the exploration of human nature. That may lead to a belief in one or more specific gods, but it's not the final aim of the game.
I am absolutely against organized religion and feel your take on spirituality is spot on.
We do not need magic to explain our existence or our intellect.
F&F
The Gnostic Bishop Stephan Hoeller did not believe the idea of being spiritual but not religious was that great of a depiction of a position. I think he said he had a little trouble with it.
I tend to agree with him on that point. I think a debate on that topic would be elucidating.
http://www.gnosis.org/lectures.html
One of my favorite Heretics has been Frank Zappa who made comedy out of many cultural norms including religions and spiritualists. And his music was and is some of the best.
(If you’ve been modified it’s an illusion and your in-between. Don’t you be terrified it’s just a lot of nuthin so what can it mean.) FZ Joes Garage
As the nation declines in wealth the nation will become more conservative.
,
The sixties generation is now some of our most conservative citizens.
College students today care little about our two illegal wars and our corrupt gov and justice system.
Every great super power has allowed wealth and military might to cause them to become corrupt, imperialistic and lead to their own self destruction.
The 'None's are nearly 1/3 of the USA these days, almost 100,000,000 people. I think that is great news.
The USA should be an SBNR (spiritual but not religious) nation. Imagine a nation where each person can pursue their individual spiritual curiosities without having to show allegiance to one patriarchal religion or another. Imagine a nation where we can reintegrate philosophical discussion about the human condition back into academia, government and business, without concern for aligning with one for of dogma or another. This is true spiritual independence! Nothing could be more American than that.
Here's to the heretics!
Steve Frazee
Founder, SBNR.org
Thank you for a delightful article! I admit as a Wiccan Pan- Pagan, my attendance on postings like these can be painful or helpful , sometimes equally.
i have found it useful, what has'nt increased my debate skills, has done wonders for my diplomacy and sometimes I can say, it's just lovely to just speak my mind!
Annedyth.
Faith that begins and ends in the adolescent confines of school, as it were, adequately serves the needs of many; but faith that allows God to speak to you of other ways is continually enlightening. I did not set out to be a heretic--far from it--but I am most definitely a Catholic heretic today.