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Do we Over-Spiritualize Religion?

Writer's picture: Divulge Talk ShowDivulge Talk Show

Growing up in a spiritual home comes with its complications if we are being honest. For example, having to make “good” decisions that do not ruin your spiritual reputation and journey. This is one of the things we are told and taught when growing up. It has an effect on us because at times we feel as if we were manipulated and at the same time we form stereotypes, become biased, and hence the term, complicated.


Today’s topic focuses on religion and I ask the question, Do we over-spiritualize religion? Over-spiritualizing refers to an act of doing of placing a greater spiritual significance on something than you should. For example, if you read about how Jesus wore sandals, and you insist everyone wears sandals, and you think sandals are really special and holy, you are over spiritualizing the act of wearing sandals. Or if you take the act of communion up a few notches and treat the communion cup as a most sacred relic you are over spiritualizing the ritual of communion.


I am a Christian and I will be relating this topic from a Christian’s perspective. In my opinion, over-spiritualizing things is a con, that is, it has a negative effect on the natural and spiritual well-being of people because it is a situation whereby individuals immerse themselves in something that can destroy their surroundings, friendships, relationships, and so forth, for. Chances are, over-spiritualizing things can turn one into a hypocrite too.


Over-spiritualizing comes from a lack of experience in regard to the interpretation of Scripture coupled with our position in God through Christ Jesus. Many religious theories are based on lies and assumptions and then people over-spiritualize them without understanding and analysing.


These are the dangers of over-spiritualizing:


1. It obscures the real meaning of Jesus Christ.

The danger of over-spiritualizing is that you lose the significance of whatever you believe in as a Christian or as a religious person. For example, the foot wash mentioned in the Bible (John 13: 1-15). Now, many people make this a formal ceremony wherein some churches you get deacons get buckets and people line up for the washing of their feet. It is not a bad thing or a sin, however, to a certain extent it can conceal the true meaning of what Jesus said and you miss the whole point of what Jesus was emphasising.

2. It makes Christianity/Religion into a laughingstock.

The world we live in today has evolved and continues to do so at a fast pace, it is a smart world, and the internet quickly verifies data. The world that we live in does not withhold superstitions. Over-spiritualization causes devastation upon the church and religion as it is. In the past over-spiritualizing made uneducated peasants afraid of the priest, for he appeared spiritual and knowledgeable of all the mystical ceremonies.

Today, the same act of over-spiritualizing will only make people roll their eyes and think Christianity is for the illiterate. That is why it can make Christianity a laughingstock. Many people are educated, literate and open-minded, over-spiritualizing things are senseless. I mean, even the Christians themselves have gotten to a place whereby they understand the Bible better and have come to a realisation that some preachings were untrue, and the Holy Spirit has opened our eyes to better understand the Biblical doctrine.


3. It gives the impression that God does not go through the normal.

Another problem with over-spiritualizing is that it has a tendency of viewing God in the wrong way. People who have these tendencies of over-spiritualizing things hardly give God any room to perform in the normal state of life. Yet Scripture says otherwise, God makes the sun and rain shine and fall on everyone (Matthew 5:45). An example would be individuals who over-spiritualize sickness and sorrows, they have a belief system that states that God punishes people via sickness and sorrow. Another is, driving fear into children that if they do not obey God, they will not be cursed (Matthew 5:45).

A good example would be in relation to our generation whereby as young people we are told that because we have done that, dressed like that, sound and speak this way, we are not giving God a reason to bless us and if we check, God does not bless or look at the outside appearance but the heart (1Chronicles 28:9 says, ‘And you Solomon my son, know the God of your Father [have personal knowledge of Him, be acquainted with, and understand Him; appreciate, heed, and cherish Him] and serve Him with a blameless heart and a willing mind. For the Lord searches all hearts and minds and understands all the wanderings of the thoughts…’

Over-spiritualizing pushes God out of every single day, into the crazy fringe where few of us live. Over-spiritualizing teaches us to seek God in hyped-up

ceremonies and strange rituals but fail to see His hand daily holding the stars in the sky.


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