The New Fitness Religions
I'm learning more about the "nones," those who claim no religious affiliation from the book, Strange Rites: New Religions for a Godless World by Tara Isabella Burton. She is, so far as I know, the first to dive deeply into the question, "What do 'nones' believe in, if anything?"
Although atheists are growing in number, they are no competition for new religions or, perhaps more accurately, new kinds of "spirituality." I think it is accurate to say Christianity grew when it fit the culture. It also needed lots of money for marketing.
One of the popular forms of spirituality among "nones" is physical fitness. Most of us know that the popular exercise form known as yoga has had spiritual overtones in its background. I know in Fargo, at least one of the yoga studios combines yoga with elements of spiritual meditation.
But with the younger demographic there are forms of fitness more exciting and driven by money which are much more popular than I ever imagined. One example is a business called SoulCycle. The word "Soul" is there for a reason.
SoulCycle is a for profit workout system that goes much farther than staying fit. It tells customers they deserve something special for themselves. So it is self-improvement and self-help in both a physical and mental sense. "It's a cohesive philosophy of life: one rooted in both ethical notions about the self and metaphysical notions about energy." It borrows from Christianity, Buddhism and other implied theologies. SoulCycle's taking a little from here and there among religions is what author Burton calls the "Remix religious culture."
As author Burton explains, "Our sins, if they exist at all, lie in insufficient self attention and self care: false modesty, undeserved humilities and refusing to shine bright...we have not merely the inalienable right but the moral responsibility to take care of ourselves before directing attention to others."
SoulCycle involves stationary bicycle exercise but commitments to physical and spiritual improvement. Cells of people meet to exercise followed by commitments to the group for positive outlooks and standing tall against society's enemies, processed industrial food and corporations. The wellness industry world wide is now $4.2 trillion dollars and growing rapidly. Author Burton provides a long list of these companies and speculates on the millions of "nones" who have left Christianity for this kind of spirituality that focuses on they themselves.
Self, or selfishness, has always been a part of Christianity. It is about taking care of oneself to arrive at the gate of heaven instead of hell. But, if young people find this a bit abstract and not interesting, self- help fitness and idealistic notions of heaven now instead of later are appealing.
Jon,
ReplyDeleteBurton writes; “Our sins, if they exist at all, lie in insufficient self attention and self care: false modesty, undeserved humilities and refusing to shine bright...we have not merely the inalienable right but the moral responsibility to take care of ourselves before directing attention to others."
I don’t know Jon. New religions (organized spirituality), fitness based, or otherwise end up looking like old time religion. You get a pope or guru, disciples or clergy, a congregation, and of course a collection plate. They all take on the odor of dogma and doctrine. The zealots in which the “dogma lives loudly” then TAKE the privilege to look down their noses with shame on the wretches that don’t get the message.
Perhaps we all yield to this cycle as individuals and become our own guru, disciple, and congregation. Resistance might be futile but best to shine bright and die trying. Advantage non-theism.
Ardy B "Perhaps we all yield to this cycle as individual and become our own guru, disciple and congregation."
DeleteIt does seem like that is the case. 99% of Catholics practice birth control. It's, "Yeah, I know what the church teaches, but I have to look out for me (us)." Protestants church shop to find the one that fits what they themselves need. The "nones" can shop the entire internet to find what they need in spiritual life or in religion. They can easily start their own if they wish.
I just finished the chapter of witches. Over a million people consider themselves followers of the many branches of witchcraft or Wicca. Women are enthusiastic about witches because it is a religion based on themselves, women. They see the large traditions, Christianity, Islam etc based on men. Practicing the rituals of witchcraft is genuine religious liberty to these women.
Jon,
DeleteI shouldn’t post at 5 AM. What I was trying to say in my last paragraph was: Perhaps we all yield to self-righteousness on occasion including looking down our noses at others. Resisting that impulse may be futile but we shine brightest when we try to avoid it. In my experience theism carries too much overhead, no pun intended. I prefer the simplicity and virtue of non-theism. Yes, I said virtue, as in high moral standards. There are fine people in the non’s and the “nones”.
“99% of Catholics practice birth control” and religious liberty to the chagrin of many Christian zealots does not mean religious supremacy. Here’s an article by a “progressive” Catholic:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/9/26/1980975/-A-Catholic-s-Case-Against-Amy-Coney-Barrett