Local churches provide a refuge

Faith, hope and love. Where is our society today in terms of the above three words? I don’t see or hear much of them in the news and certainly not in politics.

Are faith, hope and love just Pollyanna delusions, old church catechisms that cloud our collective reality? Or are our perceptions, mindsets and emotions perhaps being unduly influenced in a societal barrage of negativity that’s clouding the truth about our lives? Listening to the news or going online is a sure way to get your fill of anger and polarization.

Please. Pause. Just for a minute.

Faith, hope and love are essential in our lives! Ditto joy and a sense of wonder about the world. Are some of these items lacking in your life, or could you welcome some more? Are you taking time each day to recognize the good in your life, being thankful for what you have and consciously deciding to help your family, friends and community — and thereby, yourself?

I’m of the mind we need to counteract the negativity of the culture we live in. And I believe everyone needs a refuge from the fear and loathing that permeates our society. I think all of us need a place where we can celebrate good news.

The Good News? Yes, hiding right in front of us. And yes, we need to recognize the role of religion and spirituality in our lives. All of us have a hunger for what’s good and what’s right, and I think we need support in experiencing and sharing this good news. That’s the role of religion, which sociologists say has seen a steep decline of late.

Lots of folks I know view Christianity as a fundamentalist, anti-science, right-wing relic from the past. We hear stories of religious leaders condemning people — read ‘others’ — and instructing us how we must vote in political elections. What a shame to have something so beautiful seemingly hijacked by a few prominent leaders!

I say not so. Historically, important issues such as the abolition of slavery, providing women the right to vote and the civil rights movement came out of churches. Many congregations, including the one I attend in Corrales, are welcoming, inclusive and accepting of all people, and are committed to justice for all. We count our blessings, help each other and reach out to help others. We welcome all people seeking meaning in their lives, and we don’t preach politics.

Bottom line: I hope that people seeking God’s love and spiritual sustenance will seek out the many inclusive churches or other spiritual organizations in New Mexico. If you’ve been discouraged about churches in the past, please don’t give up. As St. Paul wrote about the early Christian church, faith, hope and love abide. Let us recommit ourselves to nurturing them.