Spirituality should be focus rather than religious norms

“Religious people frighten me. Spiritual people inspire me.”

Of all places to read a message that really hits home, the back bumper of a rusty old car is perhaps the least expected.

However, the message on that bumper sticker, seen nearly a year ago, still rattles truth through my mind.

And that’s saying a lot, coming from a 30-year-old guy who was a staunch atheist until two years ago. In fact, I’ll even admit to being an arrogant, cocky atheist who believed any belief in God was a sign of weakness.

And yet, here I am: someone who strongly believes, and even has faith, in a spiritual hierarchy.

Let me say right now that I’m not a recognized authority on religion. I’m not a pastor, I’m not a priest, and I don’t label myself as belonging to any religion. I don’t even go to church.

What I do have is the extraordinary gift of having my eyes opened to what it really means to believe in spirituality. I also have an inherent disenchantment with current organized religions, which I believe is shared with many young people.

A column in this space last month referenced a book called “unChristian,” which describes a rising skepticism among younger generations toward the Christian faith.

It’s a theme I’ve been hearing over and over recently, and I believe it comes down to some very basic principles in the way people are choosing to live in this age.

As people try to intertwine their religion into their life paths, they are running into roadblocks in the form of perceived and long-engrained Christian “rules” that are contrary to their desires.

Religion tells them not to have sex until marriage. Religion tells them to only love people of the opposite sex. Religion tells them they’re natural sinners, in need of redemption.

And what’s the response going to be?

“Well, I might as well give up this religion if I’m screwed from the beginning.”

Then, fear becomes a part of the equation:

“But if I give up my religion, could the consequence be me going to hell?”

I’ve obviously oversimplified here, but I make my point.

There is a need for a shift in the way we think of religion and spirituality and how it can guide us in our lives. Take fear, for example. Is fear of a certain consequence a good reason to pursue a religion?

Imagine if fear was removed from this equation completely. What are we left with?

Liberating truth and love.

So with that in mind, what if there was a “religion” that used truth and love as its guiding principles, without the fear of … fear?

I’m not saying we take God out of the equation at all. We simply remove the fear of God, and use the gifts we have to live the truest, most loving lives we can.

That’s the fundamental difference I’m talking about, because there are many people whose truth is homosexuality. Or exploring pagan rituals. Or playing in a heavy metal band.

Under current Christianity, people making choices such as these are harshly judged. But are they any less human, any less loved by the universal energy that we call God?

Fear of God. The words are almost contradictory, yet believed by millions.

Remove the fear. Remove the judgment.

As much as religious people claim to not harbor judgments, try asking a devout Catholic what she thinks about the long-haired, tattooed young man dressed all in black and smoking a cigarette. Or about a person who follows the Muslim faith. Or the other way around.

That’s why religious people worry me. Because of the fierce belief in one truth, and the willingness to resort to violence instead of acceptance when others challenge it.

And that’s why spiritual people inspire me, because of their universal acceptance of humanity, choice and unconditional love.

That is the basis for a new era of spiritual Christianity. There are new teachings, new interpretations and new messages to guide us all, if we’re open to hearing them.