"Not everyone is religious"

[McKevin]

I had a conversation recently with a friend and we were talking about inviting our friends to church and church functions…he made the comment that “not everyone is religious”…and this kind of caught me off-guard. Aren’t we all created in the image of God? Shoudn’t all of us be religious? How do we reach out to those who have no inclination to be religious? I mean, I just can’t accept this statement!

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McKevin

 

[Tantum_ergo]

I think your friend is trying to narrow the word “religious” into just one aspect of ‘religion’.

He probably means that not everybody is into ‘organized religion’ (like 'disorganized religion is better? ). Or that not everybody ‘believes’ in a religion, or any religion.

But it certainly does not mean that his statement is true. As you note, all men are created in God’s image. Even if we don’t know it, or even if we reject it, this is so. That being the case, we cannot help but be creatures made by God.

Those who ignore God, don’t want to know Him even if they believe, or don’t believe at all, are still part of a religious group (humankind, the creation of God) even if they don’t choose to participate, knowingly, in ‘religion’.

 

[Maranatha]

St. Augustine of Hippo said, “My Heart is Restless Until It Rests in You.” This is true for all of us. Can we be truly happy if we don’t search for truth or if ignore the truth. If God the source of truth, life and happiness then at the heart of all unhappiness is irreligion (a turning away from God).

 

[Julianna]

I think your friend is trying to narrow the word “religious” into just one aspect of ‘religion’.

He probably means that not everybody is into ‘organized religion’ (like 'disorganized religion is better? ). Or that not everybody ‘believes’ in a religion, or any religion.

But it certainly does not mean that his statement is true. As you note, all men are created in God’s image. Even if we don’t know it, or even if we reject it, this is so. That being the case, we cannot help but be creatures made by God.

Those who ignore God, don’t want to know Him even if they believe, or don’t believe at all, are still part of a religious group (humankind, the creation of God) even if they don’t choose to participate, knowingly, in ‘religion’.

Tantum, you know, there are times when I just want to reach through the monitor and hug you,

 

[Malcolm_McLean]

I had a conversation recently with a friend and we were talking about inviting our friends to church and church functions…he made the comment that “not everyone is religious”…and this kind of caught me off-guard. Aren’t we all created in the image of God? Shoudn’t all of us be religious? How do we reach out to those who have no inclination to be religious? I mean, I just can’t accept this statement!

McKevin

It is rule, and probably quite a good rule, that everyone should go to school. Everyone needs the basics or reading and writing in order to survive in a modern society.
A few of the children in the average school will go on to become academics, but only a very few. The majority simply learn what they need for their careers.

Similarly, everyone should attend formal worship once a week. However only minority are called to do much more than that, and only a few worshippers will become full time religious. For most people their commitment is Mass on Sundays and a few evening prayers, and that is perfectly legitimate.

 

[CCCatholic17]

I had a conversation recently with a friend and we were talking about inviting our friends to church and church functions…he made the comment that “not everyone is religious”…and this kind of caught me off-guard. Aren’t we all created in the image of God? Shoudn’t all of us be religious? How do we reach out to those who have no inclination to be religious? I mean, I just can’t accept this statement!

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McKevin

I’ve been noticing a tendency that as very common amongst “cool, postmodern liberals” who claim to be spiritual, but not religious. What it generally translates to is somewhat of a dangerous and irresponsible viewpoint of relativism. Yes, religion in general has its faults, and many people are not wanting or willing to ally themselves with something that is not scientifically verifiable, or an entity that has waged war in God’s name (though that’s just about every monotheistic religion and government at one point or another). The powerful and moving point of religion is that a group of people share a common ethos: there is a universal that is governing these people. When people want to be spiritual and not religious, they sometimes fall into a no gods no masters viewpoint. God is a separate issue, but if everybody is their own priest (metaphorically speaking), then there is the risk of self-justification for all thoughts and actions. If you are the only one holding yourself accountable, you still may not be plugged into those universals (the holy) that should still govern humanity. How would you ever be wrong? How would anybody else ever be wrong? My opinion is my truth, and your opinion is your truth. If we are not bound as a community with this ethical/moral universals (which seem to be able to exist independent of religion), then there is no right or room for anyone to criticize anything. The war in Iraq, the death penalty and abortion can all be thus permitted freely, because making value judgements is then rendered useless. I think it’s good you cannot accept that statement. Lead others boldly!!!

Blessings,
Heather

 

[Fidelis]

St. Augustine of Hippo said, “My Heart is Restless Until It Rests in You.” This is true for all of us. Can we be truly happy if we don’t search for truth or if ignore the truth. If God the source of truth, life and happiness then at the heart of all unhappiness is irreligion (a turning away from God).

Augustine was touching on a very important and indeniable fact: that every single person in this world is searching for something,or *someone *beyond themselves and this life, and the hunger for that something was placed there by God for a reason. It seems to be part of our make up–just like hunger, thirst, the sex drive, etc. God put each of these into us because they drive us to meet needs that are vital for our survival. But why this need for something transcendent? Listen to what St. Paul says in Romans chapter 1:

The wrath of God is indeed being revealed from heaven against every impiety and wickedness of those who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what can be known about God is evident to them, because God made it evident to them. Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. As a result, they have no excuse; for although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks. Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened. While claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for the likeness of an image of mortal man or of birds or of four-legged animals or of snakes.

All peoples at all times, even the most primitive, have responded to this need by searching for God. Even the Magi were led by means of a star to seek out the True God.

All people have this need, but some choose to suppress it or deny it. Still others channel it into other pursuits like materialism or sex or adventure or knowledge. But in the end, these all come up empty, and God is still there – waiting, calling…

 

[Maranatha]

All people have this need, but some choose to suppress it or deny it. Still others channel it into other pursuits like materialism or sex or adventure or knowledge. But in the end, these all come up empty, and God is still there – waiting, calling…

So when some says their not religious we can ask them - what is the most important thing in their life? Is it career, money, sex, alcohol?

Hedonists try one experience after another in an effort to find the one that will finally make them happy. Each experience may make them happy for a time but it fades and their on to the next. Each succeeding experience needs to be more outrageous then the last so the excitement can be sustained.

Only in the creator can His creatures find fulfillment. You can only have one God.

Deu 6:4-5
Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength.

 

[Bishopite]

I had a conversation recently with a friend and we were talking about inviting our friends to church and church functions…he made the comment that “not everyone is religious”…and this kind of caught me off-guard. Aren’t we all created in the image of God? Shoudn’t all of us be religious? How do we reach out to those who have no inclination to be religious? I mean, I just can’t accept this statement!

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McKevin

Yes you are correct, we all should be religious and the Bible agrees.

James 1:26-27 says…

"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain.
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world." We all need to be more “religious” and those Protestants who say “it’s a relationship not a religion” aren’t being honest with what Scripture actually says.

 

[rciadan]

According to “Brother Websters’” definition, the only way anybody can avoid being “Religious” is to truly be an atheist.

Main Entry: 1re·li·gious [m-w.com/images/audio.gif](javascriptopWin(’/cgi-bin/audio.pl?religi06.wav=religious’))
Pronunciation: ri-'li-j&s
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French religius, from Latin religiosus, from religio
1 : relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity <a religious person> <religious attitudes>
2 : of, relating to, or devoted to religious beliefs or observances <joined a religious order>
3 a : scrupulously and conscientiously faithful b : FERVENT, ZEALOUS

 

[Ma.Eugenia]

I had a conversation recently with a friend and we were talking about inviting our friends to church and church functions…he made the comment that “not everyone is religious”…and this kind of caught me off-guard. Aren’t we all created in the image of God? Shoudn’t all of us be religious? How do we reach out to those who have no inclination to be religious? I mean, I just can’t accept this statement!

There was a time I wasn’t religious but my parents were.

I passed through a rebellious phase where everytime my dad talked religion, my eyes glazed over and didn’t want to hear it, perhaps because the way it was lectured to me came on too strong.

I felt my parents were encroaching on my independence. I guess, my dad feared that I would leave the Church and convert to another religion. But really, the method reminded me of a military drill, which annoyed rather than inspired me.

I was glad that they eventually, mellowed and changed their tact. They prayed a lot (I guess, in part, for me). Dad would just quietly leave religious books with interesting titles. I remember–one of the books that I really liked was Home Sweet Rome by Scott and Kimberly Hahn.

Eventually, I began to listen (surreptiously). I didn’t want my dad to know that I was getting to understand him and his lectures about our Church.

I began to love God and Church on my own because of my parent’s persistence.

So, to answer the question of the OP about how to reach out to those without the inclination…I have some suggestions:

1. Pray for them
   I believe that prayers that are done with faith and good intentions are always answered.
2. Live out your faith
   Be a good example and inspiration to others.
3. Be a proud Catholic.
   Be knowledgeable about our Church’s teachings and be willing to share it with others.

Hope this helps.