Article October 18, 1969 Issue

How Relevant Is Religion?

RONALD GRAY WALKER

The general indifference toward religion today stems largely from a misunderstanding of what religion really is. Clothed in traditional forms of ceremony, creed, and doctrine, religion does indeed appear irrelevant in this modern age. To many, the Bible remains a closed book, rendered impracticable by archaic language and conflicting statements.

It is small wonder, then, that many people regard religion and daily living as incompatible. To them, God is relevant to the religious world but totally alien to the ordinary daily round and its many problems.

A number of Christian churches are making a sincere effort to overcome this dilemma by making religion more attractive to the dissidents. For example, in some churches popular music has been occasionally introduced to attract young people. It is becoming recognized that the increased sensitivity of this younger generation, including its rebellious intolerance of hypocrisy and self-righteousness, is uncovering the need for genuine Christian living rather than for formal worship. Religious practices, such as coldness, partiality, or exclusiveness, are becoming outmoded, and efforts are being made to adopt attitudes more in keeping with the times. And, perhaps most significantly of all, the possibilities of spiritual healing and of the power of prayer are being explored. These and other emerging signs indicate an increasing demand for practical religion thoroughly pertinent to this age.

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