I think the Church has lost it’s way. I believe that the purpose of any church is to teach us to Love, to guide us to higher thinking, to help us develop a greater knowledge of our place in the world, to guide us to spirit, to teach us how to be closer to God, how to live in harmony with our purpose, and to live harmoniously with each other. To me, it’s clear that the church alienates its people when it creates and enforces rules by which people must think and live. For example, the church has lost many of it’s followers over the church rules about divorce, abortion, eating meat on Fridays, where you may and may not get married, who may participate in Sunday services, and even the demand that any children of marriages performed in their churches be raised Catholic, etc.

I believe there’s a higher purpose in life. I believe we’re here on this planet for a reason. I believe that there’s more to life than just the human institutions we’ve erected and the daily chores we attend to. I believe that all people are spiritual, and that we have a higher purpose. At some level, most of us seem to believe some portion of that, but from there we diverge.

My personal belief is that we are here to learn to love. Actively love. Love, in the sense of having an altruistic care about the growth and well being of ourselves and others. Love that allows us to care for one another, and create a better world in which to live. Love, that allows us to honor all of creation and build upon it.

I believe that the purpose for which great masters such as Jesus, Buddha, Mohammed, etc., were put upon this Earth was to help us awaken; to help us see that we are so much more than just this body and mind. I believe they wanted us to see beyond earthly appearances and live a life of Love, compassion, and gratitude. I believe that this is (or should be) the purpose of our churches. To help us to see beyond appearances, to assist us in seeing our connection with God / Spirit / Divine Source, or by whatever name you know it. To help us understand our connection to each other so we can live with compassion. To assist us in living a life of Love, of constructive action, and spiritually healthy ways of overcoming adversity.

Too many times, I believe, our religious institutions lose the ability to convey that message when they institute rules that their members must adhere to, or lose the right to participate. Once those types of rules are enacted, the church splinters into groups who support that stance and groups that oppose that stance. In that circumstance, people find themselves having to choose between one group of thought or another, and some form of conflict ensues. Some will leave the church because of the conflict.  It becomes much more difficult to then teach the basic core values of Love, compassion, honesty, etc. in that environment.

What I prefer is a church that teaches, guides, and encourages me to live the spiritual principles of Love, Compassion, Respect, Spirituality, and Gratitude. I want a church that helps me to see beyond everyday circumstance into our real purpose for being here. I want a church that helps me to understand my innate spirituality.  When I/we are well grounded in the principles and practice of Love, Compassion, Respect, Spirituality and Gratitude, I/we will be much better equipped to tackle the human issues of divorce, abortion, who is permitted to participate in church services, etc.

Something to think about….