According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and World Health Organization, the best way to prevent a child from developing a nut allergy is to introduce peanuts and other major allergens to babies as early as 4 to 6 months. After exposure children should eat them regularly to build a tolerance. Exposure is key and a remedy to building a healthy tolerance so maybe there is something to those who have developed an aversion to religion.
When we have an aversion to something it is because we are not training our bodies to be open to something new that might just be beneficial in our lives. The older we get the more we get stuck in our ways, so it’s best to introduce spirituality at a young age.
The yoga instructor prepares me as I settle into my yoga pose and my body starts to melt into the mat. Each class she starts with a positive message, including tips on how to achieve a peaceful presence.
But this morning there is a tone, an unsettledness in her voice. She shares, "Today is Friday the 13th and to prepare for class I did some research. But... after discovering the basis of the holiday I decided against it (she makes a sound of disgust and chuckles). It's too religious."
My previous post I shared Peace where are you when I need you? The main point of that message is finding what works for us to maintain a peaceful presence in our lives. Aversion to Religion: Exposure is key is about tolerance, something humans struggle with.
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Why Aversion to Anything is Bad
Vocabulary.com states aversion, noun, a feeling of dislike, synonym is antipathy.
Antipathy is a strong feeling of dislike or hostility, which leads me to apathy.
Apathy is a lack of feeling, emotion, interest, or concern.
Aversion and all of the words associated have negative connotations. To have an aversion to something isn’t a good thing. Antonyms to aversion are liking, love, loving, rapport, sympathy. The antonyms for apathy are emotion, sympathy, compassion, empathy, and understanding.
Close-mindedness is a side affect of aversion. Information is key to understanding and offering empathy. Being close-minded stifles our growth. When life throws us a curve ball it’s best to have all resources at our disposal to overcome.
Aversion to Christianity
The previous short story at the introduction shares my yoga instructor’s feelings about religion. The idea of reading the history of Friday the 13th because of being rooted in Christianity changed her lesson plan. Following her dismay of Christianity, she expressed the difficulties earlier that week of not being able to maintain a peaceful presence, due to the limited time she spent on her yoga mat.
Christian Associations: The superstition seems to relate to various things, like the story of Jesus‘s Last Supper and crucifixion in which there were thirteen individuals present in the Upper Room on the thirteenth of Nisan Maundy Thursday, the night before his death on Good Friday.[a][b][6]
Her averse reaction to the one thing, religion, is what helps me to maintain my peaceful existence even when I don’t have time to do my yoga. Now I am not declaring that religion is the only thing that can initiate peace, but if you are struggling maintaining your peace perhaps it’s best to not knock something that is tried and true.
Instead of learning about a practice that has been around since the beginning of mankind, is it better to live with anxiety and uncertainty? People have been turning towards Christ for over 2000 years to overcome their struggles. Why would anyone want to ignore a proven method?
What is it about religion, Christianity in particular, that so many people have an aversion to? And how does exposure help?
Open-mindedness to Our Spirituality
Disclaimer: This isn’t a sales job where I am trying to sell you on something for my benefit. If you made it this far and you are a nonbeliever or someone simply ignorant of the word of God then that proves you are tolerant with an open mind.
For fifty years I lived a life in search of peace, a peace I thought I had. The lack of peace in my life made me a bitter person and I turned towards alcohol for a remedy. It was one dramatic event that led me to my relationship with my higher power, Jesus Christ, through God.
It was an openness that took my desperation to the next level. Because of my actions I needed forgiveness and I was open to the idea of Jesus. He spared my life, when I let the Holy Spirit into my heart.
The only reason this transformation took place for me is because I had prepared my heart for a rebirth. I was spiritually dead through my choices and given a second chance at life and this time around my goal is to maintain a peaceful presence.
How Much Exposure
A Mustard Seed
Throughout my life I was exposed to Christianity. As a child I was forced to attend church and throughout the years I attended when it suited me. I took my religious upbringing fore granted. But my heart must have received just enough exposure to accept Christ when I was in a time of need.
We should not deny ourselves anything that just might contribute to maintaining a peaceful presence in our lives. Yoga, recovery, and writing all complement my spiritual practice so I make certain to instill these other practices throughout my week.
My life requires a balance. A mustard seed planted early in life is why my life is flourishing now. I don’t need to attend church more than once a week and if I miss church that is okay. Church isn’t the only activity that feeds my spirituality. Morning meditations and scripture readings also expose me to the positive messages that promote peace.
Aversion to Exposure
When I share a “Christian” based post on my Substack usually I immediately receive at least one unsubscribe. I get it… they are not my audience. What is sad is that I found something that works. It’s tried and true, but it doesn’t mean that my life is rainbows and unicorns. When trials come my way I can redirect my emotions to something that offers me stability. And I don’t have to rely on my yoga mat.
My yoga instructor shared her anxiety because she didn’t have time to spend on her yoga mat. Her mood carried over into our practice, but she couldn’t steal my peace because I store it in my heart. God’s word is always with me, even on my yoga mat.
If you turn your nose to someone’s Christian-based message, why? How can something that is steeped in history as a proven theory to restore peace be so offensive? What are you scared of?
Too Much Exposure
There is truth to having too much of a good thing, but there are times when a good thing has been bastardized. This happens when religion is forced and not organically introduced into someone’s life.
Children who are brought up in a religious indoctrinated home, where the family doesn’t practice what they preach can be traumatized by their faith. This is an obstacle that people with a strict religious upbringing have in the rooms of recovery.
Aversion to Healing
The best way to avoid intolerance is through education. This is true for all of the prejudices in life. When broken and in need of healing we should arm ourselves with information.
We live in a broken world that continues to judge and remain intolerant. Jesus is the embodiment of acceptance and tolerance. As a Christian when we sin and need to heal from our past it is through Jesus.
Religion should not be forced upon anyone, but by introducing the word and Christ attributes when children are young, a foundation will be set for later in life when needed. And we are never too old to educate ourselves on proven practices that help us maintain peace.
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,
Proverbs 3:13 ESV
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