Religion has served as part of the foundation for much of the world’s achievements in art and science throughout the centuries. It has also been the source of most of its intolerance and violence.
Iyanla VanZant, a remarkably insightful spiritual teacher and healer, offered clear and simple definitions of “religion” and “spirituality” during an interview on the OWN network which demonstrate the differences between those concepts and our profound need for one to be tempered by the other in our behaviors toward each another. “Religion,” according to VanZant, is composed of the rules and dogmatic ideas created by human beings to create conformity in taking a specific path to God. “Spirituality,” on the other hand, is God’s call to us.
In order to make progress into halting violence on all levels, it is critical to understand that the call comes from One Source. Individual paths in response to that call may differ based on the interaction of one’s culture with its environment in an effort to explain life’s experiences and how to navigate them. Each religious path has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Working together from a place of understanding can help each religion to enhance its strengths, while transforming its weaknesses.
In today’s world, for example, it would be most beneficial to resonate with the Native American respect for nature and honoring the spirit of the Creator in all elements of the natural world (which was mistakenly conceived as having many gods by early Christians). In today’s world, research is proving the medical benefits of practicing meditation which has been part of the Eastern religions for centuries. In today’s world, research is also proving the existence of energy effects within and between living creatures which has been held to be true by Hinduism for thousands of years.
An opportunity to learn about other religions is being offered by Unity North Atlanta Church on Wednesday evenings every week through May 22, 2013. An interfaith class will be held from 7 to 7:45 pm followed by a meditation service from 7:45 to 8:30 pm. Registration for the class is not required. A love offering will be gathered during the class and the service each week. Both will be facilitated by Reverend Dawn Smith. Instruction on and interaction with interfaith prayers, rituals, healing, values, and service will be the focus of the class, while interactive opportunities to practice interfaith meditation techniques during the service will occur.
Unity North Atlanta Church is located at 4255 Sandy Plains Road in Marietta, Georgia 30066. The church campus is located in the Atlanta suburb of East Cobb. To get there from Columbus, Georgia, follow these directions: Take I-75 North from Atlanta to Exit 276A – Canton Road (5 Spur) going north. At the first light, turn right onto Sandy Plains Road. Follow Sandy Plains for approximately 6.7 miles. The church is located on the left side of the road. Make a U-turn at the next intersection.
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