Is Unitarianism too rational a religion?
What does 'reason' mean in anycase?
I have never quite understood people putting reason and spirituality at odds. For me they are deeply intertwined. My prayer often gives me insights into ideas. Thinking can often become prayer and prayer can become thinking. Coming to an understanding or creating an idea is a spiritual experience for me. There is revelation in words and ideas, but there is also revelation in silence. We need the words, because they give us insight into the Truth. But we also need the place where we dare not speak the words because we know they cannot possibly approach the Truth.
Sometimes I wrestle with ideas, and succeed or fail in coming to an understanding. Sometimes I simply give up trying to understand the reality that is so much beyond me. There are times when I give up, submit, and retreat into my soul. But I find comfort there too. There is something important about falling into the stream and letting it take you where it will.
My spiritual high points, and my dark nights of the soul, have always involved rational and non-rational stuggles.
Unitarianism is about bringing your whole self to the spiritual quest, not leaving behind body or mind or soul (whatever those words mean). My sexuality, my critical mind, my sense of beauty and spirit are all parts of me. All of me is needed to stand before the one Truth.
What does 'reason' mean in anycase?
I have never quite understood people putting reason and spirituality at odds. For me they are deeply intertwined. My prayer often gives me insights into ideas. Thinking can often become prayer and prayer can become thinking. Coming to an understanding or creating an idea is a spiritual experience for me. There is revelation in words and ideas, but there is also revelation in silence. We need the words, because they give us insight into the Truth. But we also need the place where we dare not speak the words because we know they cannot possibly approach the Truth.
Sometimes I wrestle with ideas, and succeed or fail in coming to an understanding. Sometimes I simply give up trying to understand the reality that is so much beyond me. There are times when I give up, submit, and retreat into my soul. But I find comfort there too. There is something important about falling into the stream and letting it take you where it will.
My spiritual high points, and my dark nights of the soul, have always involved rational and non-rational stuggles.
Unitarianism is about bringing your whole self to the spiritual quest, not leaving behind body or mind or soul (whatever those words mean). My sexuality, my critical mind, my sense of beauty and spirit are all parts of me. All of me is needed to stand before the one Truth.
Comments
I agree that rationality and spirituality are not mutually exclusive, and if we see them as being at odds, we will never feel right with ourselves. To my mind (ha!), spirituality has to do with that part of ourselves that gives us a sense of purpose and meaning. How can we possibly neglect that? To do so leads to ... what? Materialism and consumerism? It has nothing to do with relationships or passion.