The essential work of religion is to help us recognize and recover the divine image in ourselves and in everything. Whatever we call it, this “image of God” is absolute and unchanging. There is nothing we can do to increase it or decrease it. ~ Reverend Richard Rohr

Spirit

We have often said religion is neither desirable nor undesirable. It depends entirely upon the humans who practice any particular religion or follow any particular religious practices.

Berna and Johnny grew up in the Roman Catholic tradition. As you know, if you’ve paid any attention to the news media, the Roman church and the Vatican have long been embroiled in one scandal after another, going back many centuries.

In our view, there is only one proper, primary purpose for religion. That is, as Father Richard said, “…to recognize and revere the divine image in ourselves and in everything….”

If religion, no matter what its particular expression, fails to demonstrate to its followers they are God, and all that is is also God, they have failed.

The evidence of that failure litters centuries of religious history.

On the other hand, if religion demonstrates and convinces its followers they are God, and all that exists is God, they have succeeded in their true mission.

So religion can be a curse or a blessing. It all depends on you. You have all the power and resources you need to live a life of peace, joy, and love. You can do that with religion or without it.

You, and you alone, determine whether it is a curse or a blessing.

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In this interesting discussion, Philosopher Alain de Botton talks about values without religion.