The religious answer is not really religious if it's not fully real. Evasion is the answer of superstition

The religious answer is not really religious if it's not fully real. Evasion is the answer of superstition

Thomas Merton, a Trappist monk and renowned spiritual writer, believed in the importance of authenticity and sincerity in religious practice. He often spoke out against superficial or evasive approaches to faith, emphasizing the need for a deep and genuine connection with the divine. Merton understood that true spirituality requires a willingness to confront the complexities and challenges of life, rather than seeking easy answers or resorting to superstition.

In his view, the religious answer is only meaningful if it is rooted in a genuine encounter with the sacred. Merton believed that true faith involves a willingness to grapple with the mysteries of existence, rather than simply accepting pat explanations or relying on blind faith. For Merton, evasion and superstition were forms of spiritual laziness, a refusal to engage with the profound questions and uncertainties that lie at the heart of the human experience.

Merton's own spiritual journey was marked by a deep commitment to authenticity and honesty. He was not afraid to confront his own doubts and struggles, and he encouraged others to do the same. Merton believed that true faith requires a willingness to embrace the complexities of life, including its joys and sorrows, its triumphs and failures. He saw spirituality as a journey of self-discovery and transformation, a process of becoming more fully human and more fully alive.

Merton's writings are filled with reflections on the nature of faith, the challenges of modern life, and the need for a deeper connection with the divine. He believed that true spirituality is not about following a set of rules or doctrines, but about cultivating a deep and personal relationship with God. For Merton, the religious answer is only meaningful if it is fully real, if it emerges from a place of deep authenticity and sincerity.