Where to Start if You Find Yourself Needing a Spiritual Anchor?

I am obsessed with this article by Ross Douthat. It’s part of his new book Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious. Douthat is a Christian with whom I have disagreed often. But he’s on to something in this hot mess of a world – becoming hotter and messier by the day – and it resonates.

A 2024 Pew study suggests that “the rise of the nones” – those with no religious affiliation – has leveled off. We now have a secularized cohort of human beings “for whom the religious quest can feel a bit like entering a store where every faith has its wares on display.” (Douthat) If a person with little to no experience in organized religion seeks some spiritual anchor in these days, where do they begin?

I am informed by a couple personal insights/observations:

• What many secular people “know” about Christianity preached by ubiquitous leaders conflating nationalism with The Word of God is erroneous and often the opposite of the message conveyed by Holy Scripture. Many who purport to be Christian are Biblically illiterate, unable to identify the Ten Commandments much less The Sermon on the Mount.
• In light of what feels like a constant barrage of disasters, we usually cling to the simplest (but incomplete) convictions. It’s easier but it’s also lazier. In an article about the tragic loss of figure skater Cory Haynos in the recent American Airlines crash into the Potomac, it’s noted that he cited John 3:36 on his Instagram profile. Yes, the Gospel of John says that “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God’s wrath.” And the Gospel of John also says “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” I’m fine with God figuring this out.
• In my and HH’s own family, we have two who were raised Muslim and no longer practice but maintain some cultural rituals, one raised Hindu who practices her faith while incorporating monotheistic practices, two raised Protestant who no longer practice their faith regularly, and three PKs who can recite the Aaronic blessing and countless hymn lyrics and Bible stories. Each of them in their own way are spiritual seekers and/or believers trying to sort things out in these anxious days. We have been told that our current grandchildren “will choose their own religion” which will be difficult with nothing and everything to choose from. Again, when one’s upbringing has been wholly secular: “the religious quest can feel a bit like entering a store where every faith has its wares on display.”

And so what is the role for those of us in organized religion? First of all, we are usually not all that organized. Secondly, we are obligated to be lifelong learners in a world where most Christians have a sadly low level of Biblical/theological/historical literacy. We Christians would benefit from learning about other world religions, preferably from adherents. We will teach about our faith more from our actions than our words. We need to be confident enough and brave enough to refute false doctrines.

Example:

Church Person Who’s Been Taught that Homosexuality is a Sin: The Bible clearly says that homosexuality is an abomination. Look at Leviticus 20:13.

Pastor Who Can Read Ancient Hebrew or Parishioner Who Attends Bible Study Lead by Someone Who Can Read Ancient Hebrew: So, if you look at that verse in Hebrew there are two different words for “man” – ‘ish and zakar. This passage is not about two men together; it’s about one free man and one enslaved man. In other words, don’t assault your slave.

CPWBTTHAS: Well, that can’t be right. I’m just going to keep on believing what I believe.

PWCRAHOPWABSLBSWCRAH: Well you can look it up here if you really want to wrestle with the Bible seriously.

The bottom line is that faith is complicated and the world is complicated and it takes effort to grapple with the things of faith and life. (Where have I heard that before?) We in historic religious traditions have an amazing opportunity to exemplify the faith that gives us hope and peace. Sometimes things feel hopeless and tumultuous. But I for one believe in a God who has shown us a better way in Jesus Christ.