In 2017, the Pew Research Center reported that a quarter of American adults identify as “spiritual but not religious”. At Smith, we are exposed to this phenomenon on a daily basis. Smithies discuss star signs and compatibility at parties, buy crystals and incense in town, and engage in discussions about spirituality and divine feminism in classes and with friends. But what is this new-age spiritualism and how does it compare to established religion and existing cultures? In addition, what defines spiritualism and how is the spectrum of spirituality defined?
Spirituality does not imply separation from religion. In fact, the Pew Research Center reports that many survey respondents agreed that they were both spiritual and religious, while some only identified as one or the other. One’s relationship to spirituality and religion is completely individual, and no one group is correct. But, this concept, that spiritual and religious groups can coexist, can be taboo and controversial. Imperialism, colonialism, monotheism, and white supremacy have demonstrated white people’s intention to force assimilation and deny other cultures and religions their rights and autonomy.
Therefore, to many Americans, the concept of organized religion may not fit or fulfill their personal religious or spiritual beliefs. The increase of spirituality among all groups of people, regardless of gender, race, and political orientation, demonstrates a perceived shift in ideological thinking commonly associated with Millennials or Gen-Z. Once again, the spectrum of spirituality is entirely individual and general, and no one must define their place on this spectrum to identify as being spiritual. Thus, spirituality as a concept should be inclusive, individualized, and comforting, and may be able to provide many of the perceived benefits of organized religion without its associated restrictions and limits.
And yet – the spiritual community is not immune to the prevalence of white supremacy and white privilege in America. Many popular aspects of “Alt-Spirituality” take inspiration from marginalized cultures. One prevalent example of this is the popular Instagram trend of burning sage in order to “cleanse” a space. Sage and similar Indigenous traditional items can be found mass-produced by mega-stores such as Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Sephora. As the trend of burning sage has taken over the Internet and the spiritual community, Indigenous people have spoken out against the use of the product.
Activist and writer Taté Walker warns against this “Alt-Spirituality” trend on their personal Twitter: “‘Sage used in smudging—prayer—should never be bought & sold. It’s cringe-inducing to think of commodifying prayer. That would be like me walking into a Catholic church & asking the priest if there’s a sale on holy water.’ Rethink the Burning #Sage Trend” (@MissusTWalker). In fact, as Walker points out, it was illegal in the United States for Indigenous people to even use sage for traditional purposes until 1978 when the American Indian Religious Freedom Act passed. Walker states to Fashionista Magazine, “My people fought and died to protect this knowledge and your trendy use of it”. As the rise of spirituality continues and rituals and traditions continue to spread among Americans, it is important to not ignore or forget the voices of the cultures from which they are inspired or taken.
When you delve into popular aspects of Alt-Spirituality you can easily spot other nods to previously existing cultures. Another example is the prevalence of Judaism in the use of Tarot cards and Tarot card readings. Many Smithies could enjoy learning more about the root and conception of the modern trends associated with Alt-Spirituality, as they may reveal a larger sociological theme.
Spirituality can provide people with comfort, community, meaning, and can be a wonderful avenue of self-exploration. However, it is important as the trend of Alt-Spirituality continues to develop to be wary of cultural appropriation and to highly value the coexistence of other types of spiritualities, religions, and self-identifications.
You can read the Pew Research Center’s study here
Taté Walker’s interview with Fashionista magazine here
Taté Walker’s Twitter here
Learn about Judaism and Tarot here
(Photo by Helen McColpin)
