(Recently my life experiences have led me to reconsider the purpose of religion in my life and in society. I have spent a significant amount of time studying, pondering and praying about this topic. The following is what I have come to understand through this journey.)
Religion has had a profound impact on the history of our world. Its role and influence have varied at different times and among different civilizations. At times it has governed entire societies in theocracy. At times it has been separate from government and economy and provided the moral foundation of a society. At times it has inspired peace; at times it has inspired war. At times it has inspired the creation of great civilizations, and at times it has inspired their destruction. At times it has inspired freedom, and at times it has wielded great oppression. At times it has inspired individuals and societies to the greatest achievements of this existence, and at times it has bound individuals and societies in bias and hate. The nature of the influence of religion throughout history seems to be based on a pattern associated with the proper purpose of religion that I will seek to identify in this treatise.
The intention of this paper is to begin a conversation on and provide an initial definition of the purpose of religion. For the purposes of this paper, religion can be defined as an organization that embraces a set of spiritual beliefs and practices. This is often referred to as organized religion.
According to its very definition, religion entails the recognition of a higher power. For this treatise, I will refer to this higher power as God. I recognize that many religions refer to a higher power differently. For some religions, the higher power is simply a force, a spirit, nature or any of a number of other names and definitions of a power above ourselves. Please understand that in my references to God in this treatise, it is meant to encapsulate the diverse definitions of higher power used by the different religions. I mean no disrespect to any religion or their definition of a higher power in my use of the term God.
Spirituality
Spirituality can be defined as the search for happiness and peace through a connection with God (see discussion of a higher power above). This search includes seeking to understand and achieve our purpose through answering the questions of our existence. Spirituality is like the blood of our bodies. With it, we are enabled to ascend to our greatest potential. Without it, we eventually wither and die.
Spirituality exists independent of religion or any other organization. Spirituality is ultimately the responsibility of the individual, as each person has a direct connection with God independent of any other factors. Religion, economy, education and all other aspects of life are but tools that an individual can choose to utilize to facilitate the growth of their spirituality. The amalgamation of each individual’s spiritual journey is the basis for society.
The Structure of Society
Society can be defined as the moral, economic, social and legal structure that surrounds communities and the interactions of individuals. The following is a brief definition of the four pillars of society listed above:
Moral – This pillar represents the laws of the conscience or the spiritual. Included in this is the understanding of God, our existence and moral principles. This pillar is most often associated with religion.
Economic – This pillar represents the economic structure and includes the market, monetary system, division of labor and all other items associated with economic structure and transactions. The amount of government intervention with this pillar varies from society to society according to the extent to which natural laws are allowed to govern economy.
Social – This pillar encompasses social responsibility, rights and interactions. Government, religion, culture and traditions all have significant influence on this pillar.
Legal – This pillar represents all aspects of creating, interpreting and enforcing laws in society. This pillar is always associated with government.
You will notice that neither religion nor government are one of the four pillars of society. That is because both religion and government are organizations within society that operate within the dictates of the four pillars according to the consent of the individuals within that society. However, the formation and structure of any society is significantly influenced by the structure of religion and government elected by that society. The following is a description of two of the most common structures for society. Some of the philosophies associated with the following were initially written by Martin Luther and expanded by John Calvin and John Locke. It was they who initially defined Two Kingdoms. Prior to this, the Roman Catholic Church had a somewhat similar doctrine called Two Swords that may have served as a foundational doctrine for Martin Luther.
One Kingdom
Any society in which the government legislates and executes laws within all four pillars of society falls under this category. In essence, these governments dictate and enforce both the spiritual (moral) and physical (economic, social, legal). One of the most defining attributes of One Kingdom Societies is the legislation and enforcement of laws associated with individual’s beliefs or moral standards that do not violate the rights of another. Theocracies epitomize this form of government, however, these principles apply to a large extent to governments of many different labels, including those governments who uphold state-sponsored religions. Societies of this form have been plentiful throughout history and in many instances have played an important role for good. In contrast, many such societies have been responsible for robbing individuals of their rights and hindering individuals in their spiritual progression. This is always a lower order of society, as it entails less individual accountability and responsibility than the structure we will discuss next.
Two Kingdoms
Any society in which the government legislates and executes laws within the physical pillars of society (economic, social, legal) and reserves the rights associated with the spiritual pillar of society (moral) to religion falls under this category. This is often referred to as a separation of church and state. This structure of society has been rare throughout history, but is gaining increasing popularity. The United States of America is perhaps the best example of this structure of society, although even it does not fully embrace these principles. It is through a deeper understanding of a Two Kingdoms Society that we can best understand the purpose of religion.
The Two Kingdoms Society operates correctly only when it is organized as a republic. In this republic, God serves in the judicial branch, religions serve in the legislative branch, and government, business and other non-religious organizations (hereafter referred to as “government and business”) serve in the executive branch. Religion through its connection with God receives and teaches laws of the conscience or spiritual, which include an understanding of God, our existence and moral principles. Government and business have the responsibility through their connection with God to confirm these as truth. Once these principles are confirmed, government and business create the environment within the physical pillars of society that best allow these confirmed truths to operate in the lives of each individual and the society as a whole.
Finding the delicate balance between the role of religion and the role of government and business is critical to the long-term success of any Two Kingdom Society. Government and business are not to infringe upon an individual’s freedom of belief or choice, except to the extent that those beliefs or choices violate the unalienable rights of another. Further, government and business are not to eliminate or hinder religion’s influence through secularism in any of its forms. As an organization in society, religion obtains its authority in society through the consent of its members. Religion is entitled to enforce its beliefs and practices among its members by withdrawing membership from those who do not comply with its requirements. Other than through the influence of its teachings, religion is not to interfere in the physical pillars of society. Each individual plays a critical role in a Two Kingdom Society as their influence and consent are the power upon which each society rises or falls.
Some people believe that religion is the world’s connection to God. Religion is an extremely powerful tool for an individual to learn of and build their connection with God. However, each individual has their own connection to God independent of religion or any organization. Thus, business and political leaders can obtain the same access to God as religious leaders in fulfilling their respective responsibilities. Further, each individual regardless of their position or affiliation can obtain the same access to God in fulfilling the purposes of their life. This recognition allows us to build and operate societies based on equality recognizing the innate value of each individual. Further, this recognition allows religion and government and business to both recognize and take their proper roles as one of the Two Kingdoms necessary for the higher order of society.
The Purpose of Religion
Religion plays a critical role in any society and as discussed above is one of the Two Kingdoms necessary for a higher order of society to be realized. Religion has three primary purposes.
1. Establish the Moral Foundation of Society
Religion is responsible for establishing the moral foundation of society by receiving and teaching of God, the purpose of our existence and the moral principles by which we are to live. Nothing can defend a free people against the moral degradation of society.
2. Provide a Tool to Increase Spirituality
Religion is to be a tool through which its members can increase their spirituality. Religions often offer scriptures, teachings, ordinances and other practices that are all part of the tool it provides its members.
3. Create a Community
Religion can provide a community by which its members can learn and progress together. Not all religions choose this course, but many individuals have found great benefit in being part of a religious community from which they can learn from and grow with others.
Building the Two Kingdom Society
It is essential for the future of our world that religion fulfills its critical purposes in our societies. This will only occur if the religions of the world unite together. Because many of us have tender feelings towards our religion and our beliefs, we can become closed-minded to the beauty and diversity of different religions and beliefs. An even greater risk is that our bias prevents us from recognizing the strength and gifts of each other and God’s plans and purposes that may unfold in ways we do not expect. I believe it is not one religion, but the religions of the world combined together with government and business that will find the solutions that will bring eventual peace and prosperity for all of us. How great will be the day when the priest, the politician and the business person are esteemed as callings of equal importance and honor in two different kingdoms. My hope is that this paper will serve as an invitation to all of us to reconsider our understanding of the purpose of religion and the important role we can each play in working together to find the purpose and peace available through our spiritual journeys.
Many people believe that one day religious organizations will rule the world under God in some kind of great theocracy. I would invite you to consider that God has chosen for this world to be governed by Two Kingdoms, each fulfilling their role in a grand republic. I would further invite you to consider that God expects us to accept the increased accountability and work together to create this Two Kingdom Society.
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