Beyond Dogma: The Transformative Power of Inner Faith

Religion has always been much more than just a set of dogmas or external attributes. It is a dynamic process of inner search, where every person strives to discover their own truth and, in doing so, opens new horizons of the soul. Even if some manifestations may appear absurd or strange from the outside, the true essence of religion lies deep within personal experience and inner transformation, capable of radically changing one’s life.

The main idea here is that religion is directed towards the individual. It calls not merely for adherence to commonly accepted norms, but for a deep and sincere faith that can unlock access to one’s true self through spiritual awakening. When a person finds God, they not only gain an object of worship but also begin to understand themselves, embodying internal changes that arise from within rather than being imposed from without.

It is important to note that superficial manifestations, which are often perceived by society as absurd or even ridiculous, may serve merely as an outer shell concealing a much deeper spiritual truth. It is in this context that religion transcends simple ideologies, offering something more—a genuine, personal, and transformative experience that can change a person forever. Thus, each of us can find in religion not only faith but also the answer to the question, “Who am I really?”

Does religion have any meaning without the presence of elementary idiocy and silly manifestations that perhaps add a certain color to it? Religion, by its very nature, is oriented towards deep personal experience, the search for truth, and the transformation of the individual—principles that go far beyond superficial aspects, even if public perception sometimes includes elements that might be called idiocy or foolishness. For example, one source notes that true revelation, even if perceived by some as absurd (“madness for the Greeks”), possesses divine purity and the uniqueness of its message:

“We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block for Jews and folly to the Greeks” (source: 529_2644.txt).

This statement underscores that the essence of religion does not lie in surface manifestations but in the profound power of spiritual transformation that affects each person individually. Another source draws a clear distinction between religion and ideology, emphasizing that religion is always directed towards the individual and calls on one to believe so that, in finding God, they find themselves:

“Deep down ideology — is of course an ersatz, a substitute for religion. But the difference, and a huge difference, between religion and ideology is that religion, faith — is always something very personal, impossible without a deep personal and inner experience, whereas ideology... The purpose, the essence of religion — is that upon finding God, a person would find themselves” (source: 1835_9170.txt).

Thus, the meaning of religion does not depend on the presence of elements of idiocy or seemingly foolish manifestations that might only serve as embellishments for a more complex and profound content. The central point is that genuine spirituality and religious consciousness are based on an inner search, experience, and transformation—not on external attributes or stereotypical displays.