Religion is a framework for personal and spiritual growth

I frequently read, and make commentary on, the columns submitted on the Faith pages in the Frontiersman’s online version.

First, let me say I am not a Christian, nor am I a Jew, Muslim, Hindu or a professor of any other religion. In fact, if I were to claim a label regarding my own religiousness I would have to accept agnostic — I am not smart enough to prove or disprove the existence of God. This does not mean I am disinterested, however. I am very interested, which is why I sometimes reply to the columns here. It is also why I am submitting my own opinions on the matter.

It can be argued, and frequently is, that religion has a purpose beyond that of “glorifying God.” For one, religion is a means of providing structure to societies. Rules, laws and order out of chaos — all those things we need as groups to get along with one another. The hoped-for outcome is, presumably, to help ensure continuation of our species. As American psychologist Abraham Maslow pointed out in his 1943 paper “A Theory of Human Motivation,” there is a need for basic physiologic functioning and safety that we all seek, without which we cannot make progress as an individual or as a society. Secondly, religion helps provide mankind with the tools to put existence — being alive — into context. Why am I here? What does it mean? Is there something else after death?

All religions claim to have answers to the human condition. Many of these answers, however, are no clearer with religion than they are without. Undeterred, mankind continues to seek for answers through religion, philosophy and science.

Faith is an interesting word. The Oxford Dictionary defines faith as “strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof.”

In other words, you believe God exists because that is what you have been taught. The main selling point that most professors of faith have is that their way is the “only one, true way.” The usual dogma is, “You cannot realize your reward unless you … (fill in the blank here).” This seems intended to establish authority and credibility, which is otherwise lacking as there is no proof of their God (no one has seen the deity in question). To an agnostic or atheist, this generally appears to be little more than crowd control, a means to keep people on the path to civility to provide a stable environment to ensure the continuation of the species. Mixed in with this more practical side of many religions is the concept of spirituality.

Spirituality, as defined by Oxford, is “affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things … relating to religion or religious belief.” In other words, the attempt to answer the questions, “Why am I here? What does it mean? Is there something else after death?” Once the needs on Maslow’s lower rungs have been met (physiologic and safety), mankind naturally aspires for more. Love, family, self-esteem and eventually, according to Maslow, self-actualization. Religions help fill that need of being able to define love, family and self-actualization, or spirituality, and how to achieve them. Religion therefore is a framework for mankind’s personal and spiritual “growth.”

These are lofty ideals for sure. And lofty ideals require much work to attain. Don’t take me wrong. I am in favor of all these outcomes! My personal problem (the reason I am agnostic) with religion is that they all make the same claims of being “the one, the only true path” to achieve these ends. How can this be? If one is right, does that not mean the others are wrong? This is the obvious conclusion to most, and this conclusion has been borne out in the history of mankind’s wars, most of which were started because of alleged religious differences — “agree with us or we will kill you.” In fact, there are passages in the Bible and the Koran that state, “And God instructed the True Believers to kill all those that would not see the truth,” in their respective teachings.

As an agnostic, I have abandoned the idea of searching for a God, especially one that would have me annihilate anyone who doesn’t conform to the same principles that I had adopted. I am, however, still on a spiritual quest because the same questions of who am I and what does it all mean are still important to me. The path for spiritual education has taken me to many places, both physically and mentally. In my search I have encountered a path that does have meaning and is not holding the answers with strings attached. That path is the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, more commonly known as Buddha. The Buddha’s lessons cannot effectively be described as a religion, a philosophy or a psychology. It is better described as a journey or way of life. This journey involves seeing things as they are, beyond the obsession of our egos and the worry of negative emotions. The Buddha’s teachings depend more on understanding than faith.

Admittedly, Buddhism as it is practiced today is a belief system, but one which is tolerant of all other beliefs or religions. Buddhism agrees with the moral teachings of other religions, is very tolerant of those teachings and is not concerned with labels like “Christian,” “Muslim,” “Hindu” or even “Buddhist;” that is why there have never been any wars fought in the name of Buddhism and is why Buddhists do not preach and try to convert; only explain, if an explanation is sought.

There is one more very important aspect of Buddha that differs from all the other religions — he made no claim to be a God or to represent one. As such, this arrangement provides me with the spiritual direction that I desire minus the fear tactics of “unfaithfulness” employed by most other religions. It also allows me to be a part of the society in which I live, knowing I can be a valuable member all the while being myself, rather than the subject of some unproven God’s unknown plan for me.

Ron Haggett lives in Wasilla.

Opinions expressed on the Faith page are the author’s and are not necessarily those of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, its staff or its parent company, Wick Communications Co. To submit a column or other news for the Faith page, send email to news@frontiersman.com, or call 352-2250.