Sept. 19, 2005 issue - Searching for Deeper Spiritual Meaning
Our Aug. 29/Sept. 5 Special Report on spirituality drew heartfelt letters from readers of diverse religious and spiritual persuasions. "I was baptized Methodist, confirmed Congregationalist, married Catholic and am now practicing Tibetan Buddhism," wrote one. "All of these are a part of who I am." Another was inspired by the articles, saying, "In my experience, our overly capitalistic society breeds narcissism and materialism. Your reports on the prevalence of spirituality in America have given me renewed hope." Others bemoaned the watering down of religion. "Much of today's 'spirituality' looks like a feel-good experience designed for bored consumers," said a clergyman. And some thought it "unfortunate that people spend so much time and energy obsessing over questions that will likely never be answered," as one reader put it. "How about focusing on reality? There is nothing mysterious or complicated about being a decent human being."

Religion in America
NEWSWEEK's Aug. 29/Sept. 5 cover story on spirituality was enlightening ("Spirituality in America"). While reading the articles, I kept thinking that because there are so many diverse religious beliefs, it isn't possible for there to be one "true" religion. There cannot be one right way to worship or one correct set of beliefs. Therefore, the only false belief is one that denies other people the freedom to worship as they wish. There should be a place in society even for those who believe there is no Almighty.
Richard Weiss
Valley Stream, N.Y.

Your article would have us believe that Americans have little interest in religion and spirituality beyond what's in it for themselves. This focus ignored a major element of most religions: concern for the less fortunate. Faith is of little worth without its manifestation in good works of service and alms for the needy. Your survey, "Where We Stand on Faith," did not consider service as a possible reason for practicing religion. Is the concept so alien to your perception of American values and ideals?
Gary Ruschke
Elder for Mission & Service Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church
Sunnyvale, Calif.

How sad that in the 21st century the vast majority of Americans haven't evolved beyond believing in magical and unproved ideas, like God and heaven and hell. Without critical and independent thinking, we make it easy for politicians to manipulate us into war, advertisers to persuade us to go broke buying unnecessary things and religious leaders to convince us that they have any more understanding of the truths of the universe than we do.
Arlen Grossman
Monterey, Calif.

Jerry Adler asserts that "in America even atheists [his emphasis] are spiritualists, searching for meaning in parapsychology and near-death experiences." As a longtime atheist, I can tell you that I am not searching for meaning of any kind and do not suffer the "existential anguish" he refers to earlier in that article. To me the whole concept of faith in some deity is, in a word, preposterous. I choose to stay firmly connected to reality, as established by the scientific method of inquiry. I accept both the beauty and the ugliness on our little planet as the result of millions of years of evolution and don't need a "relationship" with a concocted god to make my existence and the prospect of eventual death palatable.
Bruce Dunwell
San Andreas, Calif.

The authors of "In search of the Spiritual" are insufficiently skeptical. The spiritual practices that many believe enable them to experience God directly more likely just bring them into closer touch with aspects of their own psyches. Moreover, good works inspired by such practices, such as helping to preserve the environment, are equally good when otherwise inspired.
John G. Fletcher
Livermore, Calif.

Kudos to NEWSWEEK for such an in-depth and informative Special Report on spirituality. It's not surprising that a survey shows a majority of Americans believe in God. Now, if we can convince our Supreme Court justices of it, maybe they'll make wiser decisions concerning church and state. Otherwise, someday they may remove in god we trust from our currency.
Joseph P. Paris
Rochester, N.Y.

Life in a Foster Family I have read your magazine cover to cover for years, always beginning with the my turn essay. The brief glimpses into the lives of others amuse, trouble, inform and always prove that the seemingly ordinary among us have extraordinary stories to tell. But I have never been so moved, nor so overwhelmed, by conflicting emotions as when I read Julia Kraus's Aug. 29/Sept. 5 essay, "If I Told You, Would You Want to Hear?" I felt anger at the senseless cruelty inflicted on innocent children and helpless that I can't do more to stop it. Yet I felt amazed by the selflessness and compassion of Kraus and her family. Caring for tortured children is nothing short of heroic. I also felt frustration at the religious right's self-righteous demands for a "culture of life" without any meaningful solutions to the complicated circumstances that make some children's lives absolute hell. Kraus's story reminds us that what troubles our society can be tragic and complicated and hard to hear, but hearing those troubles might help us find real solutions to our real problems.
Keith Whipple
Naples, Fla.