Chiming in as a new subscriber a year later: I grew up in liberal churches, where doctrine was more a matter of suggestion and discussion than a set of demands. Our mother pulled us out of the Catholic church because she didn't want us to feel guilty about using birth control, figuring God wouldn't mind if we hadn't been taught the doctrine. (I never got a white dress for First Communion, but I had already come to appreciate the still-Latin Mass and gotten a grounding in theology in parochial school.) I remember every bit of that theology, because somehow I came into the world keenly interested in theology and spiritual matters. I was ready to baptize the local kids with a garden hose if needed.
Since any dysfunction in my own churches was at the leadership level, while the communities were fine, I ended up with a deep respect for churches and religion in general. If someone is writing about religion, I'll allow them much more authority if they have actually lived "within" a religion. People without this experience are clueless as to how the stories, aesthetics, concepts, communities and culture of "lived religion" become part of our personal framework for finding meaning. Harm from dysfunctional communities happens in any human community whether it's a church or not. Logical propositions like "does God exist" have little to do with mature religious understanding.
Many in these hyper-rational times see the question of God's existence as somehow scientific and never go beyond it. They think this reveals enough about religion to pass blanket judgment on the entire notion.
As for those who find themselves moving beyond the religious teachings of their childhood, whether they remain within a tradition or not, there's nothing wrong with following the old AA maxim "take what you need and leave the rest." (I'm going to have to think hard about the notion that religion is more "defined" than humanism, by the way, although the world's religions certainly have longer legs timewise.)
In this essay, Elle's story of Séverine ends with Séverine's understanding of the most important message of Christianity. Séverine has to leave the Church before she can be a Christian. Spiritual evolution continues no matter what we are proclaiming about our beliefs at any moment.
As a humanist (a religious humanist?), Elle is exploring beauty as a humanist practice and source of inspiration. I'm new to this Substack, but I want to see what happens with this pursuit. My big question about humanism in general is whether it can satisfy humanity's needs for personal and collective frameworks of meaning, inspiration for getting through hard times, and motivation for social and cultural change. Religions can and do provide all these things. In addition they have historical know-how about avoiding dysfunction and extremism (even if as human institutions they often fail in this.) Is humanism willing to learn from religion?
You are very right, and I do think most people think of religion with a "take what you need and leave the rest" mindset. I do think Humanism (and many philosophies for that matter) are much more ok with that though. Just because you wouldn't be judged for not following a certain Humanist principle by another Humanist. But you could absolutely be judged for drinking in a non-drinking faith, or for living with your boyfriend in a waiting for marriage kind of faith. You're right that it varies between religious communities, but I think philosophy is a bit more forgiving just because of that lack of dogma.
But I actually have a follow up post to this one coming next week. I'll be very curious to know your thoughts!
Thank you for the shoutout Elle! I must admit, my utopian answers are entirely based on a simple question: what gives me joy when all of the humans in my life have worked my last nerve? Bread! Animals! Paramore!
This look into your spirituality was very interesting. Beauty itself is such a nebulous idea; trying to define it takes millennia. And so many definitions of it can exist at the same time! Catholic architecture and Islamic architecture are so beautiful but so distinct from each other. But beauty, like evil, is expansive. It can shapeshift into anything.
Maybe anything can be beautiful if it’s created with sincerity.
You’re so right. Almost anything can be beautiful! And I love that when everything else has gotten your last nerve, bread can be a moment of beauty! It’s all about savoring the moment. Thanks for the inspiration!
You’re a fabulous writer! Learning more about your perspective always prompts me to reconsider my own. I wonder if the beauty you saw in Catholicism was more so the beauty in humanity’s devotion. If that’s the case then in a way you’ve been a humanist all along! 💖
Fair enough 🤣 I know so many who feel that way. I think I was spared that view (at least up front) solely because I wasn't raised Catholic, and so happened upon it as an adult. But I definitely came away feeling that vibe.....
Thank you for sharing an overview of the deep and intimate processes you have gone through. Self-revelation is difficult to write about, let alone expose to the world. It is clear from your post that you have lived (are living) an examined life. How rare that is today. Excellent!
As you admit, humanism is a difficult construct to pin down. Therefore, your literary choice to employ a lower case ‘h’ is brilliant. I do this as a libertarian, but alas, friends and family alike, miss the point.
It is easy to respect someone like you, who is entirely thoughtful and sincere. Someday, I would enjoy sharing thoughts of love, hope and other spiritual delights with those who I esteem. You have made it to that eclectic list of persons. Until then, keep up the good work.
Perhaps a little too examined 🤣 Though I am relieved you found it worth sharing. Sometimes the inner world can be difficult to share, especially with those close to us, so I can very much relate to your own experience! Writing is a cathartic way to think it through though, regardless of the consequences 🥰
Thank you for sharing your faith and creative journeys!
I’ve been on a similar path, looking for something hopeful to believe in. Humanism is pretty close to where I’m heading, but I’ve got some cynicism and old faith structures still “burning down” inside.
I’m looking forward to a brighter day and I know the things I used to believe in will provide good ground for something better.
All that to say, what you wrote is very beautiful and guiding. Thanks for being vulnerable!
Thank you for sharing that comment! I've been wondering whether I've overshared, which is easy to do when it comes to matters of religion. Especially as I can totally relate to "looking for something hopeful to believe in." I loved my religion, and when I left it I had to redefine my life in a way. I wrote about that process back then if you're interested:
I haven't, but I was a big fan of Rob Bell back in the day and he had Peter on his podcast several times. Looks like they are in the same vein, kind of post-religion spirituality?
Yup! You nailed it. Peter does this rad thing called Atheism for lent (during lenten season) and it’s super fascinating. Really opened my eyes to the long running vein of atheism through history even among the faithful.
I so relate to the strange ostracization that occurs within the church. I was a practicing Catholic and Mariology scholar and still experienced so much hate and judgement from my peers. I even received emails after writing this piece from people expressing how sad they are for me that I have fallen away from "the truth"—when in fact there is no definition of it. My life has truly become so much more beautiful without that self righteousness and I'm so glad you have found the same!!!
Recently saw this article and remembered this post of yours https://scrollprize.org/grandprize
This is so incredibly cool!!!!!!!!
Chiming in as a new subscriber a year later: I grew up in liberal churches, where doctrine was more a matter of suggestion and discussion than a set of demands. Our mother pulled us out of the Catholic church because she didn't want us to feel guilty about using birth control, figuring God wouldn't mind if we hadn't been taught the doctrine. (I never got a white dress for First Communion, but I had already come to appreciate the still-Latin Mass and gotten a grounding in theology in parochial school.) I remember every bit of that theology, because somehow I came into the world keenly interested in theology and spiritual matters. I was ready to baptize the local kids with a garden hose if needed.
Since any dysfunction in my own churches was at the leadership level, while the communities were fine, I ended up with a deep respect for churches and religion in general. If someone is writing about religion, I'll allow them much more authority if they have actually lived "within" a religion. People without this experience are clueless as to how the stories, aesthetics, concepts, communities and culture of "lived religion" become part of our personal framework for finding meaning. Harm from dysfunctional communities happens in any human community whether it's a church or not. Logical propositions like "does God exist" have little to do with mature religious understanding.
Many in these hyper-rational times see the question of God's existence as somehow scientific and never go beyond it. They think this reveals enough about religion to pass blanket judgment on the entire notion.
As for those who find themselves moving beyond the religious teachings of their childhood, whether they remain within a tradition or not, there's nothing wrong with following the old AA maxim "take what you need and leave the rest." (I'm going to have to think hard about the notion that religion is more "defined" than humanism, by the way, although the world's religions certainly have longer legs timewise.)
In this essay, Elle's story of Séverine ends with Séverine's understanding of the most important message of Christianity. Séverine has to leave the Church before she can be a Christian. Spiritual evolution continues no matter what we are proclaiming about our beliefs at any moment.
As a humanist (a religious humanist?), Elle is exploring beauty as a humanist practice and source of inspiration. I'm new to this Substack, but I want to see what happens with this pursuit. My big question about humanism in general is whether it can satisfy humanity's needs for personal and collective frameworks of meaning, inspiration for getting through hard times, and motivation for social and cultural change. Religions can and do provide all these things. In addition they have historical know-how about avoiding dysfunction and extremism (even if as human institutions they often fail in this.) Is humanism willing to learn from religion?
You are very right, and I do think most people think of religion with a "take what you need and leave the rest" mindset. I do think Humanism (and many philosophies for that matter) are much more ok with that though. Just because you wouldn't be judged for not following a certain Humanist principle by another Humanist. But you could absolutely be judged for drinking in a non-drinking faith, or for living with your boyfriend in a waiting for marriage kind of faith. You're right that it varies between religious communities, but I think philosophy is a bit more forgiving just because of that lack of dogma.
But I actually have a follow up post to this one coming next week. I'll be very curious to know your thoughts!
Thank you for the shoutout Elle! I must admit, my utopian answers are entirely based on a simple question: what gives me joy when all of the humans in my life have worked my last nerve? Bread! Animals! Paramore!
This look into your spirituality was very interesting. Beauty itself is such a nebulous idea; trying to define it takes millennia. And so many definitions of it can exist at the same time! Catholic architecture and Islamic architecture are so beautiful but so distinct from each other. But beauty, like evil, is expansive. It can shapeshift into anything.
Maybe anything can be beautiful if it’s created with sincerity.
You’re so right. Almost anything can be beautiful! And I love that when everything else has gotten your last nerve, bread can be a moment of beauty! It’s all about savoring the moment. Thanks for the inspiration!
You’re a fabulous writer! Learning more about your perspective always prompts me to reconsider my own. I wonder if the beauty you saw in Catholicism was more so the beauty in humanity’s devotion. If that’s the case then in a way you’ve been a humanist all along! 💖
Ah! What a beautiful way of putting it. I love that!!!!! Thank you 🥰
Beautiful piece, Elle! Thank you!
Beautiful piece. It is great to get your insights into what is driving the latest novel and its juxtaposition with the debut
Thanks Rand!
Fascinating, as I’ve never thought of Catholicism as beautiful. It always felt dogmatic, harmful, and “old white man” ish to me.
Love your photos.
“Human” is my word of 2023.
Fair enough 🤣 I know so many who feel that way. I think I was spared that view (at least up front) solely because I wasn't raised Catholic, and so happened upon it as an adult. But I definitely came away feeling that vibe.....
Thank you for sharing an overview of the deep and intimate processes you have gone through. Self-revelation is difficult to write about, let alone expose to the world. It is clear from your post that you have lived (are living) an examined life. How rare that is today. Excellent!
As you admit, humanism is a difficult construct to pin down. Therefore, your literary choice to employ a lower case ‘h’ is brilliant. I do this as a libertarian, but alas, friends and family alike, miss the point.
It is easy to respect someone like you, who is entirely thoughtful and sincere. Someday, I would enjoy sharing thoughts of love, hope and other spiritual delights with those who I esteem. You have made it to that eclectic list of persons. Until then, keep up the good work.
Perhaps a little too examined 🤣 Though I am relieved you found it worth sharing. Sometimes the inner world can be difficult to share, especially with those close to us, so I can very much relate to your own experience! Writing is a cathartic way to think it through though, regardless of the consequences 🥰
Thank you for sharing your faith and creative journeys!
I’ve been on a similar path, looking for something hopeful to believe in. Humanism is pretty close to where I’m heading, but I’ve got some cynicism and old faith structures still “burning down” inside.
I’m looking forward to a brighter day and I know the things I used to believe in will provide good ground for something better.
All that to say, what you wrote is very beautiful and guiding. Thanks for being vulnerable!
Thank you for sharing that comment! I've been wondering whether I've overshared, which is easy to do when it comes to matters of religion. Especially as I can totally relate to "looking for something hopeful to believe in." I loved my religion, and when I left it I had to redefine my life in a way. I wrote about that process back then if you're interested:
https://ellegriffin.com/my-creed/
https://ellegriffin.com/my-buddhist-mantra/
Good luck with your faith and art!!! I'm sure it will be beautiful however it turns out!
I’ll take a look at what you wrote. ❤️ In this case, I think vulnerability is powerful. There are many who are seeking these days.
Curious to see if you’ve read/listened to Peter Rollins? His philosophy and ideas have gotten me through many a hopeless time.
I haven't, but I was a big fan of Rob Bell back in the day and he had Peter on his podcast several times. Looks like they are in the same vein, kind of post-religion spirituality?
Yup! You nailed it. Peter does this rad thing called Atheism for lent (during lenten season) and it’s super fascinating. Really opened my eyes to the long running vein of atheism through history even among the faithful.
Very interesting! I kind of love that perspective.
I so relate to the strange ostracization that occurs within the church. I was a practicing Catholic and Mariology scholar and still experienced so much hate and judgement from my peers. I even received emails after writing this piece from people expressing how sad they are for me that I have fallen away from "the truth"—when in fact there is no definition of it. My life has truly become so much more beautiful without that self righteousness and I'm so glad you have found the same!!!