Religion à la carte

Several months ago, Der Spiegel magazine had reported about the development of religion in the West, in particular Europe and America. It observed that religion is not in decline at all; it is metamorphosing, becoming more individualistic and less ecclesiastical.

The French historian, Paul Veyne, spoke of a transition from religion as a set menu to religion à la carte, where everyone gets to choose the god or sect they like most.  In other words, the western religiosity tends to resemble their treatment upon à la carte dish.

Primordially, religion is an à la carte for every individual. Even after the standard menu was served by religious chef, the à la carte element is impossible to vanish. Since the last few years, people began to declare their à la carte religiosity more openly.

The Newsweek cover story once exposed that a new religion emerged everyday in the United States and embraced by individuals. In fact, there is thousands of religion in India. Hinduism enables such sectarianization to emerge peacefully. 

Afterward, several groups attempted to purify Hinduism, with the assumption that the purity exists and the purification is possible. They established a political party. But the process of individualization or sectarianisation of religion goes on.

Thus, establishing a religion seems quite simple: by maintaining a long beard, wearing unique robe, giving weird advices (started by criticism upon the established religions without total deconstruction in order not to be attacked by various fronts of defender of god).

The formulation is also quite obvious. One of the required apparatus is holy book (can be derived from the existed holy books plus piece of philosophy and creativity; as well as a good editing). The rest are shrine with unique architecture, for instance, formal dress for leaders, determination of holiday, simple ritual, and specific epithet for the leaders and followers.

That’s how a new religion comes into being. For the details and whether people believe it or not does not matter. The most important is that the main elements have been settled. Even with all these codifications, the founder of religion will have his or her own à la carte, which is by and large different with those of his or her followers.

The problem is this: many people are worried (because they think they are incompetent etc) of preparing their own serving according to their own spiritual appetite. They presume it as a highly risky business since it is concerning salvation, appropriation with the social norms, and so on.

However, Norris & Inglehart observed that as long as the market which is hungry for spirituality exists, the religious broker (intermediary between God and individuals) will always exist. These brokers constantly argue that human, furthermore the fool and poor one, will never be able to relate with God alone.

In Catholic, this dogmatic machine is institutionalized by the church, the pyramidal structure which culminated in Vatican. Islam claimed and is proud to be religion without priesthood system. In fact, the Muslim leaders used to have similar pretension, they claim of having the right to publish the list of do’s and don’ts for Muslims, based on the authority of holy books and prophet teachings.

Although many deny such spiritual engineering, they have to enjoy their à la carte religion quietly and surreptitiously. The prophets also started their career by subversive action. Afterward, their subversion became version, and it later on leads to conflict among their followers.

I think the reason for this is one of God’s policies which I have never understood: why did He reveal guidance for human’s life upon only one man in every time and place.

The problem will be much simple if only the secret of this important teaching is delivered in, for instance, the opening of World Cup, when millions human listen to it. Then, everyone come back with a great relieve and clear belief about what is wrong and right. Afterward, they can enjoy their own spiritual menu serenely – if only they still need that.

Hence, it is impossible for anyone to regard that his or her personal menu is the most delicious and healthy. The number of à la carte table will be as many as the individual. Proliferation will be inevitable, even after the Ten Commandment was announced in the World Cup. But, what is wrong with that?

â€Something is wrong,†said these brokers and â€public relations†of God. â€If it happens, not only that we will lose our income, but also our prestige, privilege, and social hierarchy. At least that is the implication of Norris & Inglehart’s study.