October 15: Day 107

STONE THREE CONTINUED

Question: I question every experience, all information, personal motives — mine and others — including the ideas presented by The Religious Recovery Program.
​
Instruction: Choose your questions.

If you had the opportunity to meet someone who you considered to be a very spiritual individual but were informed that you could only ask one question, what would you ask? A group of Pharisees got together to ask Jesus what he believed was the greatest commandment. His two-part answer was to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Fortunately, we are not limited to just one question when it comes to making decisions about our spiritual journey. We may ask as many as we want as often as we want. Sometimes we fail to ask questions when we should, and sometimes we get stuck asking the same questions over and over. Stone Three encourages us to ask questions about experiences we have, information we receive, and the motives of those who are presenting their spiritual or religious beliefs. We even question our own motives to be certain they are in our best interest and not influenced by a negative ego. We are also encouraged to question the information we receive from the Religious Recovery program.

Any religious organization that can’t withstand our questions should be given serious consideration before we buy into what they are promoting. Statistics can be manufactured, witnesses can be produced to support, and bold promises can be made that tempt us into believing they have all the answers to life’s questions, but there is no concrete proof that any one religious organization has found the one and only way. We must proceed cautiously and ask questions. “How do I know that what they are saying is true? What is the proof? How does this feel in my heart? Is there a hidden agenda they are not telling me about? What do former members have to say? How open-minded are they to other teachings? What is the commitment level they are asking for? What preposterous success results are they promising?” Questioning and a little common sense can go a long way in helping us make wise religious and spiritual decisions.

Today, as you think about a religious organization, take time to consider this as well, bigger is not always better, and smaller is not always better either. The size of the congregation doesn’t make it right or more spiritual. Some congregations are large because they know how to entertain well. Look for something that speaks to your heart and calls you to want to change from the inside out.