Tuesday, February 17, 2015

To Retain Its Vitality A Religion Has To Adapt To The Needs Of The People


Once a religion becomes well established and interwoven with bureaucracy, it begins to serve the fears of those who cling to power. Empty pomp and ceremony becomes a substitute for an experience of the deep Mystery. A few moments of silent prayer are mistaken for the deep inner silence in which the voice of that Mystery can be heard. As the religion loses its connection with the source of spiritual life and the needs of the common folk, it begins to die. Then it is the "heathen" and the "barbarians" who can see it with fresh eyes, ask and discover how this religion can help this very day, and thus bring it back to life. A religion that allows this to occur will survive.

---Jan Chozen Bays---

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