BBC Radio 4 2016-05-25

Good morning. There are now nearly as many people in England and Wales who profess to having no religion as those that say they have – according to an analysis by Stephen Bullivant of St Mary’s Catholic University. And here in Wales, the so-called “nones” are in the majority. But, whilst this report sheds light on religious affiliation, does it help determine if Britain is any less spiritual than it was? This depends, of course, on what we mean by “spiritual”.

Maybe, we’re more enamoured than ever of consumerism, technology and having a good time. But, I’d argue that we’re also more concerned to see a fair and equal society, to extend care and compassion to all humanity, to other creatures and our planet. And, who decided that we can’t enjoy life while still being spiritual?

Most folk I meet who count themselves as “nones” have deep moral insights and beliefs. They value qualities such as kindness, freewill and love as having ultimate meaning. Some do feel there’s more to life than material existence; and even suspect that some aspect of our being continues beyond death.

Many “nones” I know say they don’t identify with organised religion – to which Hindus often joke: then you’ll like Hinduism: it’s the most disorganised religion. At least, unorganised in that it values the individuality of each person’s spiritual path. Others I hear express problems with particular concepts or portrayals of God or His purported message. And, often I agree – I probably don’t believe in the specific idea of God that they don’t believe in either.

According to the Hindu Vedanta text, it’s through reason and logic that humanity can start to contemplate the nature of ultimate reality. And, for Hindus, being spiritual should entail a philosophical component. Doing good, giving charity and behaving well are part of the moral actions and self-discipline known as dharma. But, the texts wish us to go further - to develop what it calls atma-jnana – the knowledge that the soul is different to the physical body – and part of a divine reality.

It is this philosophical notion that we are more than just physical beings that Hindu texts claim opens up the sacred path allowing the individual to progress from moral behaviour to deep realisations of the nature of spiritual existence.

Although, Hinduism champions the path of the individual, it nonetheless encourages us to discuss spiritual issues and learn from one another. My personal experience from such conversations suggests to me that Britain is not only a far more moral society than we often credit, it is also more spiritual – however, you wish to define that term. And, I’d say also more open to exploring what we might mean by a modern, perhaps even universal, spirituality.