Looking in the Mirror

Something out of the ordinary this week: Two weeks ago I received a request from the local newspaper to submit a response for a weekly Sunday column on the general topic of religion (I have no idea why they contacted me).  Comments from representatives of various faiths are presented.  Submittals are limited to 150 words.  The question of the  week was: Why are religion and spirituality in decline?

Rajan Zed, editor for the weekly column - Faith Forum - opens with:

In a write-up in Psychology Today, “3 Reasons Why America Is Starting to Lose God,” the author, quoting a recent report based on General Social Survey, points out that “American adults were less likely to be religiously affiliated and to believe in God than they were previously” and “Americans were less likely to attend religious services, pray, and report being spiritual”.

The author, Dr. Andy Tix, then gives the reasons of decline as “the rise of self” (individualism, self-control), “negative attitudes” (about religiousness and spirituality) and “the decline of awe.”

However, the author indicates that “individuals often rely on religion and spirituality as important resources for working through difficult times and finding meaning and purpose in life” and “decades of research show that intrinsic forms of religiousness, in particular, have small but reliable associations with better mental health.”

Following is my submittal as printed in the Reno-Gazette Journal, Sunday, May 15.

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Guest columnist Kenneth L. Donajkowski, pastoral council secretary, St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church

Reflecting on "The Joy of the Gospel" by Pope Francis, I am the reason religion and spirituality are in decline.

The decline is only initiated by dissolution of social, cultural, and familial bonds that constrained many to mere outward displays of nonexistent faith. That said, all that remains is “attraction to faith,” encounters with Jesus of Nazareth exemplified by those who profess faith in him.

To the degree my Catholic life appears “like Lent without Easter” or “like someone who has just come back from a funeral;” to the degree I use hurtful speech, am unkind to those who think differently, ignore those in need, fail to say and show how Catholicism (i.e. personal relationship with Christ) changes me for the better; then to that degree I am responsible for the decline. With artificial bonds rightly loosened, their integrity moves them away. The problem identified, the solution is clear.

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In Christ...