They say that there are two topics that you should never bring up during a social gathering: politics and religion. One reason is that people usually have very passionate and rigid opinions when it comes to politics and religion. Another reason is that there will always be at least two people in a group who will come to loggerheads, hence a potentially awkward situation at best.
We cannot deny, however, that religion has played a significant role in humanity even before “civilized” societies were formed. Religious or spiritual beliefs have always existed, although they have evolved over time. In modern society, the changes have become even more apparent.
According to a Pew Research Center study, nearly 30 percent of American adults say the don’t attend worship services anymore.
Additionally, under 20 percent of American adults say they are unaffiliated with any religion, while two-thirds say they believe in God (68%). More than half say they often feel a deep connection with nature and the earth (58%), while more than a third classify themselves as spiritual but not religious (37%), and one-in-five (21%) say they pray every day. (Source)
Those who are unaffiliated give various reasons as to their decision, ranging from disagreement with church leaders or dogma to simply not believing in mandatory worship service attendance.
Given these statistics, it is not surprising that other spiritual and metaphysical concepts have come to existence. One of them is the The Gittite Way, a way of thinking that is not particularly a religion.
How did this way of thinking come about?
Chris Webb, founder and author of The Gittite Way, shares its roots:
I tried to find out what is really true from everyone’s perspective, not just across religion, but what made sense for all people. I realized my life was owned by everyone else. I was trying to fill all of these roles.
This is probably something that many of us can relate to, with the loads of expectations that are placed upon us – by family, friends, colleagues, and society as a whole.
As a result of Chris Webb’s realization, he founded The Gittite Way:
I came up with what seems like the way things universally work. Most people who read it, they see things that work. You don’t have to be religious, or even believe in god, to understand these things.
The Gittite Way at its core
The main idea of this way of thinking is not based on traditional religious dogma. Instead, it presents 10 Tenets – combined with your common sense – that makes spirituality practical and not oppressive. People who follow this way of thinking are called Gittites.
The 10 Tenets are:
- Be who and what you really are without apology.
- Pray that you can cry easier, laugh harder and love deeper.
- Hold everything in your life in an open hand.
- Accept that anyone who is seeking truth will find it.
- Realize the difference between believing and knowing.
- Recognize that being human is not a sin.
- Realize that the answers are inside of you.
- Consider that this life may well be all there is.
- Decide to be happy.
- Always be thankful.
If you want the short version of it:
- Love God
- Love Others
- Don’t Judge
What do you need to do in order to be a Gittite?
The beauty of The Gittite Way is that you merely have to use common sense and realize that living by the 10 Tenets will improve your life – and those of the people around you. Go over the Tenets again, and you will realize that nothing actually tells you that you have to change your religious affiliation! In fact, it cannot be emphasized enough that The Gittite Way is not a religion but a way of thinking, a way of living.
Why the title of this article, then? Why does it say “losing your religion”?
One thing: You don’t need to be tied down by aspects of your dogma that you do not truly believe in anymore.
Experiencing a crisis of faith? You might want to take a deeper look at The Gittite Way.
Also read: Think for Yourself: Why Being a Conformist in Life is Dangerous
Originally posted on September 29, 2014 @ 9:00 am
