Recently I have heard a lot from people around me about being spiritual rather than religious. I even read an interesting Twitter "fact" about Millennials being the least religious generation ever and how the US is the least religious it's ever been. While I'm not sure about the evidence of this, it sure does sound accurate. Many people see this as a great thing. That science is prevailing and ignorance is dying out. The fact that it could be true that we are the least religious we've ever been is understandable due to all the technological advancements we've made over the past 100 years. What makes me sad is that people see this as a good thing.

I do agree that technological advancements are good for us. While I'm a historian by heart, who takes more to art and literature than science and engineering, I do understand the need for scientific advancements. It helps save lives and helps us better understand the world we live in. I don't, however, understand why this means we have to become a less religious society. When did it become vogue to not go to church or to identify with a religion?

Over the years it has become more and more mainstream to not believe in a higher power at all. With these scientific advancements has come more "proof" that a higher power doesn't exist. While this is true of many people in our society, others have simply said they believe in a higher power but don't want to be a part of a religious establishment. There are many reasons why they believe religion does more harm than good. For example, it keeps people ignorant, it teaches helplessness, and it is power-hungry. These reasons, however, are just not true. Religion doesn't do more harm than good, it does quite the opposite.

To say religion keeps people ignorant is itself, ignorant. Religion doesn't keep its followers in the "Iron Age of rampant superstition, ignorance, inequality, racism, misogyny, and violence," (Tarico). Yes, people who are religious sometimes use the name of religion to justify racism and misogyny, but that should not and does not discredit the entire idea of religion. While some churches teach that science is false, it doesn't mean religion itself is holding the world back of technological advancements. Everyone is responsible for understanding the role of science in our lives, everyone has their own beliefs, and that's fine. It has been made very clear the scientific advancements we have made as a society and it is up to each person to understand this information.

Religion does the opposite of teaching helplessness. It teaches us that there is always someone there to listen to us, to hear our problems. We are never alone nor helpless. People argue that "giving it God" keeps people from changing the bad situation they're in. They say having the belief that the things that happen to you are the work of God and He has our best interests at heart means people won't try and solve their own problems. This argument makes me the saddest. I hate to know that people think they can solve all of their problems on their own. That is helplessness to me. I am comforted by the knowledge that I can go to God with all of my burdens, fears, regrets, worries, stresses, hopes, dreams and aspirations, knowing that He can handle everything I throw at Him. I am 100% supported, not helpless.

The biggest argument I sometimes hear against religion is that it is power-hungry. The Catholic church gets attacked the most for it, I believe. For almost two millenniums, the Catholic church has been the largest Christian organization in the world. There have been good and bad times in this history but to say the greediness of many church leaders is the reason to stay away from religion all together, is crazy. So you don't like huge mega-churches who "advertise God like a product and only want to make a profit." Go to a smaller one where you can get to know everyone there. If you think small-town churches are "small minded and teach the ideals of the Iron Age", maybe go to a more "mega-church" where you get to meet so many new people and experience new things. Don't assume all churches are a certain way without knowing them personally.

Being religious rather than just spiritual gives people a sense of community. To be connected with a community who believes in the same ideals as you is comforting. To know that you are supported by an entire community, organization and/or world religion makes one feel like they belong to something. Being Catholic I have always loved the idea that what I experience at mass in Kentucky is the same as what someone just like me experiences in Paris, Madrid, Buenos Aries, and Rome. To know that you are a part of something bigger than you is humbling and I think it brings you closer to God. Going to your neighborhood temple every Sabbath, where you see people with whom you share your values and culture, and where you can go to a rabbi for advise, is comforting.

Religion, rules and all, is more beneficial when taken a la carte. To be "spiritual rather than religious" gives you the ability to pick and choose which rules you want to follow and which practices to believe in. While you should find what you believe to be true, make sure your faith is to help yourself find your higher power and your connection with that higher power, rather than it just be an excuse to not go to church, temple, synagogue or mosque, or to eat whatever food you want.

The idea that religion is a bad thing is a strictly North American-Western European idea - like many of our so-called problems today. Around the world, religion is central to society and brings communities together. In Africa, local religions are central to community gatherings and teaching. In Central and South America, religion is part of daily life for most people. The idea of Liberation Theology came out of this area and it emphasizes liberation from social, political, and economic oppression as an anticipation of ultimate salvation (Britannica). Religion brings hope and peace to an area of great turmoil.

The idea that religion is bad is a new idea as well- a post-Enlightenment idea. From the beginning of history, religion has been a part of society and culture. The Gods were worshiped and feared for millenniums as a part of life throughout the world. To say this was all unnecessary, it inhibited growth, or we should do away with it is funny to me. Religion since the beginning of recorded history has been a part of our lives, good and bad, and just because we have large scientific and technological advancements doesn't mean religion is a thing of the past.

Before you proudly state that you are spiritual rather than religious or that you think religion does more harm than good, please know that religion does a lot of good in the world. It brings people together and gives people hope and faith when they feel there is none. Finally, make sure you are being spiritual to find your connection with your higher power and not to avoid responsibility.