Just because religion works for you, doesn't mean it's for me
Every time someone leaves a comment on one of my blog posts about how their religious practice, meditation approach, or whatever, is just absolutely wonderful, how it's benefited them so much, and that I'm a fool for not jumping into the spiritual pool they they find marvelously refreshing, I think...
OK. It's great that you enjoy what you're doing. But what does this have to do with me? Or anyone else?
Some people really like to drink whiskey. Others, wine. Still others, beer. Then there's teetotalers who won't touch a drop of anything alcoholic. Each person could eloquently praise the glory of how drinking such-and-such, or abstaining, leads to good feelings, happiness, bliss, a pleasant life.
Yet whatever pleases one person, whatever works for them, might not be my cup of tea (or a stronger concoction). Hardly anybody disagrees about this when it comes to beverages, food, music, art, vacation spots, computers, cars, TV shows, movies, or other lifestyle choices.
My wife and I know quite a few people who love going on cruises. We listen to their stories of how wonderful it is to get on a big ship, visit interesting ports of call, relax on deck as the ocean slips by, and so on.
Then we say to ourselves, not for us.
Neither of us has ever been on a cruise. We probably never will go on one. We can appreciate why other people like them, but we're so certain that this isn't for us, we don't have any desire to spend time and money on something we're pretty sure we won't like.
Ditto for religion.
I've got no problem with true believers speaking about how good their religion, spiritual path, mystic practice, or such makes them feel. I enjoy happy people. If you find something that helps you enjoy life, great. Go for it.
Just don't take the next preachy step and say, "You've got to try it too!" No, I don't. Thanks for sharing, but don! 't e xpect me to embrace what you find so huggable.
Now, in some spheres there is so much solid evidence that X, Y, or Z is bad for people, it makes sense to be fairly aggressive in warning a friend, relative, or loved one about the consequences of doing something. Or conversely, to encourage them to do A, B, or C -- because of the proven benefits.
With religiosity, though, proof of general effectiveness is lacking.
Every approach to spirituality should come with a warning label: "Your results may vary." We're not talking about truth here, but about likes and dislikes, good feelings and bad feelings. There's no demonstrable objective reality lying behind the supernatural claims of the world's many competing religions.
Some faiths appeal to some people. Other's don't. Some faiths work for some people. Other's don't. Liking something doesn't mean it is universally true.
