Spiritual soda pop

Just this week, I've heard from a couple old friends who seemed interested in a discussion of spiritual matters. One merely posted an invitation on her Facebook page: "For those who do, why do you have faith? (be concise)."

Have to admit, I posted a reply, Ephesians 2:8-9 being the "most concise" off the top of mind. But the reality gleaned from the comment thread was that this wasn't a serious exercise in the pursuit of truth; rather, it was meant to pass the time. Another commenter nailed the problem with the invitation itself: "Faith in what?"

Except for the small, vocal cadre of materialist-atheists, it seems society is pretty accepting of the notion of a spiritual dimension to reality... so long as nobody makes waves by claiming some sort of authoritative, universal Truth. "Being Spiritual" is, in itself, considered to be good.

Um, OK. The Aztecs were 'spiritual.' So were the Druids (who are apparently enjoying a bit of a resurgence). Yet I don't think most people would be content to let those groups resume human sacrifice (I admit, I could be wrong). By what yardstick do people evaluate spirituality, then?

For most, the answer is in what makes them 'feel good.' The other friend with whom I conversed admitted as much. A convert to the Jewish faith, she is struggling with many questions. And yet, in her note, she pointed out one reason she appreciated that tradition is that it doesn't require any set of particular beliefs.

In other words, tastes great, but less filling.

There's a reason Christ confirmed the Old Testament command to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." A genuine search for spiritual Truth requires commitment of our total being. Emotion (heart) alone is insufficient, and highly prone to error. The mind (logic) alone cannot grasp the infinite, and without emotion leads to cold legalism. And unless our faith shapes our very definition of who we are (our soul), it is merely much ado about nothing.

Today's mantra of tolerance demands we acknowledge each person has a faith that is "right for them." If that were true, it would require each of us to be gods of our own reality, defining 'truth' as we see fit. The offer of the serpent in the Garden still lingers, it would seem.

Spiritualism is nothing more than an anesthetic to dull the longing of our souls for the relationship we were meant to have with our Creator. But in the end, it'll leave you thirsty, just as the substitution of soda for water does. And that's the trouble with human efforts at evangelism... we can lead people to Water, but we can't make them drink.