Dennis Jordan

One thing I find interesting about Abrahamic religions is how they often begin by telling you that you are broken. You are born sinful. You are separated from the creator. You are unworthy, lost, or in need of salvation. Then the same religious system presents itself as the solution to the problem it taught you to believe you have. Think about the psychological implications of that: when your sense of worth depends on accepting a particular doctrine, questioning that doctrine can begin to feel like questioning your own salvation. Fear of punishment, guilt, and the promise of eternal reward can become powerful tools of psychological dependence. Modern spiritual practices, at their best, approach life differently. They encourage self-awareness, introspection, personal growth, connection with nature, acceptance of uncertainty, and learning to coexist with others. You don’t have to believe you are inherently broken to work on yourself. You don’t need to claim your path is superior to everyone else’s to find meaning in life. Perhaps the purpose of spirituality isn’t to convince you that you’re broken and sell you salvation, but to help you understand yourself, your place in the world, and how to live without making enemies of those who see life differently. The goal shouldn’t be blind obedience. It should be understanding.