{"id":633,"date":"2015-02-09T13:25:07","date_gmt":"2015-02-09T18:25:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/commonwordcommonlord\/?p=633"},"modified":"2015-02-09T13:25:07","modified_gmt":"2015-02-09T18:25:07","slug":"there-should-be-no-starving-faithful-if-religion-is-done-correctly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/commonwordcommonlord\/there-should-be-no-starving-faithful-if-religion-is-done-correctly\/","title":{"rendered":"There Should Be No ‘Starving Faithful’ If Religion Is Done Correctly"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the Name of God: The Infinitely Merciful and Compassionate Beloved Lord<\/em><\/p>\n

I thought, for certain, that Hozier would win “Song of the Year” at the Grammy Awards last night for “Take Me To Church.” Not that I’m disappointed about Sam Smith – whose music I enjoy – but “Church’s” fame continues to be strong. Although Hozier claimed in an interview<\/a> that the song is not meant to be against religion, there is a lot of stinging criticism of religion upon first glance:<\/p>\n

My lover’s got humor
\nShe’s the giggle at a funeral
\nKnows everybody’s disapproval
\nI should’ve worshiped her sooner<\/p>\n

If the Heavens ever did speak
\nShe is the last true mouthpiece
\nEvery Sunday’s getting more bleak
\nA fresh poison each week<\/p>\n

‘We were born sick,’ you heard them say it
\nMy church offers no absolutes
\nShe tells me ‘worship in the bedroom’<\/p>\n

The only heaven I’ll be sent to
\nIs when I’m alone with you
\nI was born sick, but I love it
\nCommand me to be well
\nAmen. Amen. Amen.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Obviously, I don’t like the concept of “worshiping in the bedroom,” but the sarcasm against religion is unmistakable. When reflecting over the lyrics of the song, however, this main thought came to my mind: religion should never leave anyone “starving,” which he claims in the second stanza:<\/p>\n

What you got in the stable?
\nWe’ve a lot of starving faithful<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Religion, when done correctly, should be completely fulfilling – for both body and soul. At its essence, religion is the personal relationship with the Creator. It is the framework for interaction with the One Who – out of His profound Love for us – gave us life when we were dead. And this “life” is not only physical, biological life, but also spiritual life. I was never truly alive until I connected with my Lord and followed His path and lived in His love.<\/p>\n

Therefore, such a relationship with God can never leave someone wanting.\u00a0 If, however, such a relationship with God does<\/em> leave someone – purportedly faithful – still “starving,” then there is something wrong with the framework.<\/p>\n

I can hear retorts that the savages – “barbarian” is too kind a word – of KIL (aka ISIS)<\/a> sure look like they are fulfilled, like they are not “starving faithful” by any measure. I completely disagree. Look at the fruits of their works: mayhem; murder; pillage; rape; destruction. They are widely condemned<\/a> by the Muslim world and are even a laughing stock<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What they do is not spiritual fulfillment; it is criminal barbarity. What they do does not feed the soul; it fulfills the basest of human urges. What they do is not the glorification of the Lord; it defies His every word and law to the hilt. Scripture does not support their actions; it will actually be a witness against them.<\/p>\n

No. When religion is done right, it brings about peace, love, justice, brotherhood, sisterhood, safety and security. When religion is done right, the soul is uplifted to the highest of heights, giving the believer an inner peace that is truly indescribable. When religion is done right, there is no “fresh poison each week,” but rather the very cure to what ails the heart and soul of the human seeker.<\/p>\n

Too many times, unfortunately, religion has been done wrong in our world. Too many times, so much evil has been committed in the name of God that many have dismissed religion as a force for evil, as “Take Me To Church” seems to imply. Yet, this has been the case because religion has been done wrong. And it is our job – those of faith – to work as hard as we can to make sure it is done right.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the Name of God: The Infinitely Merciful and Compassionate Beloved Lord I thought, for certain, that Hozier would win “Song of the Year” at the Grammy Awards last night for “Take Me To Church.” Not that I’m disappointed about Sam Smith – whose music I enjoy – but “Church’s” fame continues to be strong.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":175,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,132],"tags":[193,593,591,534,293,124,463,592],"class_list":["post-633","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-a-common-word","category-god-in-popular-culture","tag-evil","tag-grammy","tag-hozier","tag-isis","tag-reflection","tag-religion","tag-song","tag-take-me-to-church"],"yoast_head":"\nThere Should Be No 'Starving Faithful' If Religion Is Done Correctly - Common Word, Common Lord<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"There Should Be No 'Starving Faithful' If Religion Is Done Correctly - Common Word, Common Lord\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In the Name of God: The Infinitely Merciful and Compassionate Beloved Lord I thought, for certain, that Hozier would win “Song of the Year” at the Grammy Awards last night for “Take Me To Church.” Not that I’m disappointed about Sam Smith – whose music I enjoy – but “Church’s” fame continues to be strong.…\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/commonwordcommonlord\/there-should-be-no-starving-faithful-if-religion-is-done-correctly\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Common Word, Common Lord\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2015-02-09T18:25:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Hesham A. 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Hassaballa","description":"Hesham A. Hassaballa is a Chicago doctor and writer. He has written extensively on a freelance basis, being published in newspapers across the country and around the world. He has been a Beliefnet columnist since 2001, and has written for the Religion News Service. He is also a columnist for Patheos. His articles have been distributed worldwide by Agence Global, and he was also a guest blogger for The Chicago Tribune and has blogged on ChicagoNow\" . In addition, Dr. Hassaballa has appeared as a guest on WTTW (Channel 11) in Chicago, CNN, Fox News, BBC, and National Public Radio. Dr. Hassaballa is co-author of The Beliefnet Guide to Islam (Doubleday), and his essay, \u201cWhy I Love the Ten Commandments,\u201d was published in the award-winning book Taking Back Islam (Rodale). His latest book, Noble Brother, is the story of the Prophet Muhammad told entirely in poetry, and it is now published in its second edition. In 2007, his blog \"God, Faith, and a Pen\" was nominated for a Brass Crescent Award for a blog that is \u201cthe most stimulating, insightful, and philosophical, providing the best rebuttals to extremist ideology and making an impact whenever they post.\u201d \"God, Faith, and a Pen\" has also received an award for being one of the \"Top Muslim Blogs for 2010\" by Awarding The Web. In addition to writing, Dr. Hassaballa helped found the Chicago Chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations and currently serves on their board of directors. He also co-founded the Bayan H. 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