What is religion, anyway?
This line comes from Jodi Picoult’s book, A Change of Heart:
“I think every man finds his own church, but not all of them have four walls.”
What do you think of this? Is it deeply profound, or pure bullshit?
I agree. While I think it is important to build a spiritual community at a local church, I think it is of more importance to truly worship and give thanks to God. If one can do that more comfortably, truthfully, and whole-heartedly at some other place then they should. For many, that place isn’t a structure marked by steeples and crosses; it is inside their heart and in their soul.
Good point! For some, “church” is watching the sunrise down at the coast (appreciating and celebrating nature). For others, church might be helping an elderly neighbor pull the weeds from her garden or flowerbed (doing a kind deed). Others might find church in the quiet of complete solitude. For some, church is found in the traditional setting of a synagogue, a temple, a building shared with spiritually like-minded believers. You can think of other good examples of what church might be for different people.
The tougher question, though, is whether every man finds his own church. Are there some who don’t search? Do others not know to even look? Are there others who seek but never find? Do still others find, but then walk away?
