European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - March 25, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Members of the congregation at the Trinity Assembly Church in san Antonio tex., during a charismatic service. So americans show a rising interest in religion by Diane Winston Baltimore Sun Hen Frank Laws was a cop he Felt his life had purpose. But when he was older and turned to the Law he wondered if he was helping anyone. There were Days he hated his practice chafed at his colleagues and questioned his vocational Choice. Those were Days of anger frustration and futility. They were the Days before he turned the problem Over to prayer. Quot i was so dissatisfied with the Law i asked god what to do a said Laws a 39-year Baltimore attorney who teaches Young people at a local roman Catholic Parish. Quot he never did answer those questions but he pointed out a lot of other things. I realized a lot of what bothered me Here had to do with who i was rather than what was More americans than Ever say they Are finding peace through prayer and Many Are making their spiritual pilgrimages outside the institutional Church. According to a 1989 Gallup Survey 42 percent of americans went to Church in a recent week. The 1988 Survey found 88 percent Pray to god Between 1972 and 1985 the number of americans who Pray daily Rose from 54 percent to 59 percent. Trend spotters tout pet theories on the spiritual resurgence in the United states an a9 no population baby Boomers having babies the economic downturn. But the fact remains a growing number of americans Are asking about enduring values and ultimate meaning and Many Are finding answers outside the 11 . Sunday service. Quot people Are starving spiritually Quot said John p. Mostyn a Christian brother who is on staff at mercy Center a roman Catholic Retreat House and conference Center in Burlingame Calif. What seems to be happening is god is inviting people to grow out of their addictions their crazy material stuff work which is sucking their lives away and marriages like zoos. Quot people Are looking for meaning in their lives and they Are dissatisfied with what they have had so far. You can Only watch so much Dallas and see so Many football in the 1970s, Many americans found meaning in the Quot born again Quot evangelical movement. Some said they experienced speaking in tongues and claimed miraculous healings others spoke of finding a blueprint for living in scripture. Basically conservative this religious movement developed a social and political subculture a the new Christian right whose support for what they term a traditional values proved a surprising Force in the 1980 National elections. While conservatives celebrated the Success of their crusades mainline Church leaders pined Over plummeting numbers. Sociologists speculated that religious pluralism upward mobility and the Rise of new age alternatives would turn Many methodist presbyterian and episcopal churches into graveyards. They did not foresee that the baby Boomers religious roots would eventually pull Many Back to the pews a and searching for More. Quot the question i have is whether it s an aging phenomenon Quot said William c. Mccready a sociologist at Northern Illinois University in Dekalb whose research focuses on roman catholics. Quot what in a seeing is there is definitely an increase of interest in prayer and renewal but it s definitely among mature baby Boomers. Quot its their vehicle for a return to prayer has Long been a Centrepiece of american religious life. But recent debates on its place in Public life have obscured the intensity of its private practice. According to Gallup surveys Many americans not Only say they seek assistance from god but also say they follow what they perceive to be his advice. During the Halcyon Days of the civil rights and anti War struggles Many mainline believers said they found god in the struggle for social Justice. But when their campaigns ended some Felt their prayer life had run dry. In recent years methodist presbyterian Southern Baptist and episcopal leaders have All devised retreats discipleship programs and encounter weekends to rekindle a spiritual spark. Yet the trend that seems to have attracted Many a from unchurched agnostics to devout roman catholics from doctors and lawyers to handymen and housewives a is spiritual direction. Quot spiritual guidance in its broadest sense would be anything which makes me aware of god s presence in my life a it could be a Book a lecture or a discussion Quot said Rosemary Dougherty a staff member at shalem Institute a training Center for spiritual directors in Washington . Quot in spiritual direction two people come together to focus on a spiritual these Days spiritual journeys often take place outside the Church even though they Are sanctioned by denominational leaders. The special skill of discernment a which spiritual directors Call the ability to listen to another s experience of god a is not always the province of congregational clergy. Spiritual directors can be Lay or clergy male or female. Mostyn who wants to set up a Loose affiliation of people who train spiritual directors estimates that there May be As Many As 60 training centers throughout the United states. He hesitates to estimate the hundreds of Retreat houses spiritual centers and Parish programs where spiritual direction is offered. But he says that those who seek direction Are of All Ages and backgrounds. A a in be seen nurses cabdriver stockbrokers and out of work people Quot Mostyn said. Quot the movement is ecumenical there Are catholics and protestants Lay and though direction appeals to diverse believers historically it was the Domain of roman Catholic and Eastern orthodox clergy. In the Days of the Church fathers and medieval saints the discipline of prayer followed strict guidelines. Prayer could be expressed in verbal requests contemplating scripture or listening for god s word. In the last 20 years new techniques have proliferated As spiritual directors a borrowing from hindu and Buddhist traditions As Well As psychotherapy a have encouraged dire tees to seek god in dance mantras journal writing nature and encounters with loved ones. Sunday March 25, 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page
