Can you capture your spiritual journey in six words?
This week I watched PBS' series "God in America," a fascinating documentary (at least to religion geeks like me) about the history of religion in American public life. It shed some light on America's spiritual landscape and the historical factors that have made us unique, such as the stories behind our founding and freedom of religion, the impact of the Cold War, the legal challenges to prayer in schools, the civil rights movement and recent elections.
Although it skipped a few things I would have included, if you enjoy PBS-style documentaries, I highly recommend it to history or religion buffs interested in the complex dynamics of religion and public life. You can watch the full program online.
Stephen Prothero, a Boston University religion scholar featured in the series, pointed out in his CNN Belief blog that the God in America website includes a feature called “Faithbook,” in which viewers are encouraged to share their “personal spiritual journeys."
Prothero also shared that another irreverent website “for people made anxious by churches” challenged its readers, "religious and the irreligious alike," to skip the lengthy autobiographies and distill their personal journey into six words or less.
It received more than 100 responses, ranging from "Wanted free pizza; got Jesus instead," to "Hippie Parents Died. Apophatic Anglican emerged" and "I once believed, now I don’t."
I gave it a shot and came up with this: "My world grew. God did too."
What about you? Can you capture your spiritual journey in six words or less?
Comments
Forever27
Fri, Oct 22, 2010 : 1:09 p.m.
@schreiber, Pascal's Wager? seriously? That's one of the weakest reasons for belief ever offered. Not to mention disingenuous.
bedrog
Tue, Oct 19, 2010 : 3:27 p.m.
re thomas shreiber/pascal's wager: "agnosticism is best hedge of bets'..
Thomas
Mon, Oct 18, 2010 : 8:55 p.m.
Why take chances? Google Pascal's Wager.
katie
Sun, Oct 17, 2010 : 7:05 p.m.
Love thy neighbor as thyself, deeply.
DeeDee
Sun, Oct 17, 2010 : 10:43 a.m.
Universal oneness: everything else is metaphor.
bedrog
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 6:53 p.m.
re halimas and tanjas: "messiahs put their pants on one leg at a time too"....11 words but true nonetheless.
Milton Shift
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 3:24 p.m.
I grew up, became an atheist.
krc
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 12:08 p.m.
I can do it in 12: "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
fremdfirma
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 10:44 a.m.
I can't trust them, any more.
Urban Sombrero
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 9:13 a.m.
There is nothing after this life.
CreativeCarol
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 10:35 p.m.
Grow. Love God. Pray. Serve others.
Salinemary
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 10:06 p.m.
Be grateful. Show kindness. Love others.
A2Writer
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 8:53 p.m.
Be kind. Show compassion. Don't hate.
David Briegel
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 7:42 p.m.
I think you are all worthy.
JE
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 7:10 p.m.
reject superstition
Bill
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 6:04 p.m.
Pondering Spindrift's Research of consciousness science.
Halima
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 5:28 p.m.
Islam gives order, hope, and meaning.
garrisondyer
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 5:25 p.m.
Why the hate? Increase the peace.
A2Dave
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 3:42 p.m.
From nothingness; will return to nothingness.
Top Cat
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 2:40 p.m.
Do a good deed every day.
bedrog
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 2:02 p.m.
take a long nap and reconsider.
Chris Blackstone
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 1:55 p.m.
Sinner saved by grace despite myself.
SMAIVE
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 1:50 p.m.
sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression
braggslaw
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 1:35 p.m.
Pay your own way.
blue brown
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 1:28 p.m.
God is good to me always
Forever27
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 1:21 p.m.
How about in two words: question everything
Tanja
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 1:04 p.m.
Born Catholic. Bred Catholic. Became Catholic.
Lokalisierung
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 12:25 p.m.
Leave the gun, take the cannoli.
Heidi Hess Saxton
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 12:25 p.m.
Love is greater than you think.
Bababooey
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 12:06 p.m.
Always live life in the moment
Ricebrnr
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 11:13 a.m.
I have always believe in me.