Dear Religion,

“You can be sure that using people or religion or things just for what you can get out of them—the usual variations on idolatry—will get you nowhere, and certainly nowhere near the kingdom of Christ, the kingdom of God.” Ephesians 5:5 (MSG)

You are terrifying to most; the whisper of your name can start a war.It has started wars.You make people troubled and sorrowful.No one wants to talk about you anymore, or even acknowledge that you exist.You scare people away from the idea that there is something, or someone bigger and greater than all of us.But are we really scared of you, or these ideas that have been put in our minds that you are a terrifying creature?

That’s something that I want to ask you.How could you, something that used to be so good, turn into something so overwhelming terrifying?How could you?How could you make the idea of Our Creator sound so horrifying?That He is something that should only be feared, and not loved.That we should run away from him and not into his loving arms.

Now I’m not saying that I, personally, don’t like you.I have really enjoyed the things that you have brought into my life.I have a fantastic, faith-based community that I can thank you for.Without you I don’t think I would be where I am today.So I guess I want to say is thank you.Thank you for showing me that I cannot do this alone.Thank you for allowing me to find my joy.Thank you for the laughs, and even the times I’ve cried because of you.Thank you for making me a better person, a person that I am so proud to be.

You cause people pain and suffering, but if you have the right shined on you, you can bring so much joy to the world.Loving you can be really hard, but in the end, it’s worth it.Most people say that they are spiritual but not religious.I don’t understand why you can’t be both. I get that people nowadays don’t like the label of religion, but it’s honestly not that bad. Yes, I am a spiritual person, and there have been times when the idea of organized religion disgusted me. But over the past few years I’ve realized that I can’t do this faith journey without you.I need to religion as much as I need my spirituality.You complete my faith.

“The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd.”

Hebrews 11:1-2 (MSG)

Love,

Daughter of the King