You’re either religious, or you’re not; it’s as simple as that.
Particularly in college, I’ve been met with people who claim to be “kind of religious.” They seem to be stuck merely dipping their toes in the water of belief but are unwilling to actually commit.
This is where I take issue. After all, religion — in its fullest sense — calls us to be more than “kind of” anything. It challenges us to wholly commit to something greater.
I understand that people who are first learning about a religion aren’t going to immediately put down everything else and devote their lives to the cause, and that’s perfectly understandable.
However, I ask those of you who are content with half of your foot in the door to reflect on whether or not you’re missing out on the richness that comes from embracing what you believe.
Religions like Christianity have clear definitions of what it means to be a believer or a non-believer. You are either part of the faith or not, based on your adherence to certain beliefs and practices, and this concept extends beyond the bounds of Christianity.
For example, Hindus follow the teachings of the Vedas and believe in concepts like karma and moksha, and Jews observe the commandments outlined in the Torah and follow traditions like Shabbat. In both cases, engaging with these traditions deepens one’s connection to their faith and community.
Regardless of whether your views align with those of Hinduism, Judaism or any other religion, you get the most out of your faith when you fully embrace it.
If you’re merely staying on the outskirts, avoiding the practices and rituals of your religion, it’s unlikely to have a significant impact on your life, but isn’t the essence of religion to give individuals a sense of purpose and meaning?
Additionally, although the complexity of human belief allows for some variation within religions, religious organizations often rely on unity and practice to maintain structure. If religion were viewed as a spectrum, it would undermine the very social cohesion that religious groups try to maintain.
Take Islam as an example. Salah, one of the pillars of the religion, involves praying five times a day at specific times. Not only is this an essential part of the religion itself, but it also fosters a sense of unity among Muslims. If Islam were viewed as a spectrum where individuals could interpret the form and extent of prayer differently, it may cause division and weaken the sense of community.
Most religions also don’t leave much room for ambiguity, as they set out clear distinctions between orthodoxy and heresy. In this way, belief systems are not on a continuum because there is an explicit right and wrong.
I’m not here to preach Christianity, but Revelation 3:15-16 in the Bible offers an exceptional summary of this idea. According to these verses, Jesus said, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
Whether you believe in the Christian faith or not, I argue that these verses still hold value. A lukewarm approach to anything, especially religious belief, leaves you stagnant and unfulfilled. It’s through genuine commitment — not indifference — that you can truly experience the transformative power religion offers.
