Espiritualidade e religião se complementam, mas não se confundem; a espiritualidade existe desde que o ser humano irrompeu na natureza
Por Frei Betto/ Via Diálogos do Sul Global
Abordar a espiritualidade é o meu propósito. Não falo em nome da Igreja Católica. Não tenho autoridade nem tal pretensão. Aliás, sou um católico que, todo dia, rogo a Deus fazer de mim um cristão.
O enfoque será católico, no sentido etimológico da palavra. O termo vem do grego καθολικός (katholikós), que deriva de kata (= sobre) e holos (=todo), através do todo, universal. No sentido atual, globalizado.
Até o surgimento do Cristianismo, as religiões se prendiam a seus limites étnicos, culturais e territoriais. O apóstolo Paulo universalizou a proposta de Jesus, estendeu-a a todos os povos sem precisarem renunciar às suas identidades culturais.
Por que espiritualidade e não propriamente religião? Espiritualidade e religião se complementam, mas não se confundem. A espiritualidade existe desde que o ser humano irrompeu na natureza. As religiões são recentes, datam de 8 mil anos.
A religião e a institucionalização da espiritualidade
A religião é a institucionalização da espiritualidade, como a família é do amor. Há relações amorosas sem constituir família. Há quem adote uma espiritualidade sem se identificar com uma religião. Há inclusive espiritualidade institucionalizada sem ser religião; é o caso do budismo, uma filosofia de vida.
As religiões, em princípio, deveriam ser fontes de espiritualidade. Nem sempre ocorre. Em geral, a religião se apresenta como um catálogo de regras, crenças e proibições, enquanto a espiritualidade é livre e criativa.
Na religião, predomina a voz exterior, da autoridade religiosa. Na espiritualidade, a voz interior, o “toque” divino.
A religião é instituição; a espiritualidade, vivência. Na religião há disputa de poder, hierarquia, excomunhões, acusações de heresia. Na espiritualidade predominam a disposição de serviço, o respeito para com a crença (ou a descrença) alheia, a sabedoria de não transformar o diferente em divergente.
A religião culpabiliza; a espiritualidade induz a aprender com o erro. A religião ameaça; a espiritualidade encoraja. A religião reforça o medo; a espiritualidade, a confiança. A religião traz respostas; a espiritualidade suscita perguntas. As religiões são causas de divisões e guerras; as espiritualidades, de aproximação e respeito.
Na religião se crê; na espiritualidade se vivencia. A religião nutre o ego, uma se considera melhor que a outra. A espiritualidade transcende o ego e valoriza todas as religiões que promovem a vida e o bem.
A religião provoca devoção; a espiritualidade, meditação. A religião promete a vida eterna; a espiritualidade a antecipa. Na religião, Deus, por vezes, é apenas um conceito; na espiritualidade, experiência inefável.
Há fiéis que fazem de sua religião um fim. Ora, toda religião, como sugere a etimologia da palavra (religar), é um meio de amar o próximo, a natureza e a Deus. Uma religião que não suscita amorosidade, compaixão, cuidado do meio ambiente e alegria, serve para ser lançada ao fogo.
Cuidados
Há que tomar cuidado para não jogar fora a criança com a água da bacia. O desafio é reduzir a distância entre religião e espiritualidade, e precaver-se para não abraçar uma religião vazia de espiritualidade nem uma espiritualidade solipsista, indiferente às religiões.
Há que fazer das religiões fontes de espiritualidade, de prática do amor e da justiça. Jesus é o exemplo de quem rompeu com a religião esclerosada de seu tempo. Vivenciou e anunciou uma nova espiritualidade, alimentada na vida comunitária, centrada na atitude amorosa, na intimidade com Deus, na justiça aos pobres, no perdão. Dessa espiritualidade resultou o Cristianismo. E mais importante do que ter fé em Jesus é ter a fé de Jesus.
O fiel que pratica todos os ritos de sua religião, acata os mandamentos, paga o dízimo e, no entanto, é intolerante com quem não pensa ou crê como ele, pode ser um ótimo religioso, mas carece de espiritualidade. É como uma família desprovida de amor.
A espiritualidade deveria ser a porta de entrada das religiões.
Fonte: Diálogos do Sul Global




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