What are the major characteristics of a religion of the future? For starters, it will stop playing the game of one-upmanship. Instead, each tradition will humbly view itself as just one piece composing the puzzle of Divine Mystery, rather than pretending it alone is the entire puzzle. Correspondingly, each will revel in learning from all of the other traditions rather than trying to show how it is superior to them. Second, a religion of the future will understand that it must continually change and grow if it is to remain vital and relevant. Rather than cling to a conservative ideology, it will be radically evolutionary in its view of itself. Third, religion will fulfill its primary function of revealing the incredible beauty and wonder of this amazing planet, rather than focus a surplus of attention on the next life. A corollary to this function is religion's calling to take good care of the Earth and all of her creatures, species and cultures, a care that is based on an experiential realization that the Divine Presence dwells within each. Fourth, this kind of religion will specialize in embodiment of the Divine - one that implies a profound experience of union - rather than in belief and dogma. And finally, it will involve large numbers of people who view themselves as "spiritual, not religious," those who see everyday encounters with Nature and with other people as a sort of "temple" rather than focus excess attention on the maintenance of religious institutions.
Photo: Bellvue Dome at sunset; Bellvue, CO; December 26, 2012
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