Resilience is often defined as the ability to adapt and overcome challenges, adversity, setbacks, or hardships. It can be seen as an essential quality for modern people navigating through the uncertainties and difficulties of life.
For those who identify themselves with traditional religious belief systems, there may be another way of seeing this term - as a modern form of sanctity. In this article, I will explore how resilience may have become a new way for believers to find meaning and purpose in their lives despite being marginalized by religion.
Sanctity has long been associated with piety, devotion, spiritual purity, and holiness. It was closely related to religion and its practices such as prayer, fasting, confession, pilgrimage, almsgiving, and rituals. In some religious traditions, it became a path to salvation, redemption, and eternal bliss. But what happens when religion becomes a source of discrimination, exclusion, persecution, or violence? What does it mean for individuals who see their faith as integral to their identity but are denied the opportunity to express it openly or freely?
The concept of resilience emerges as a possible answer to these questions. For those who feel ostracized or disenfranchised because of their religious affiliations, it offers a way to remain strong, persistent, and hopeful. Resilience allows them to endure and persist even in difficult situations, stay true to their values, and keep striving towards personal growth and development. This can be particularly important in today's world where religious freedom is often curtailed or restricted, and many believers face discrimination and marginalization.
Consider the case of Muslim women who wear hijabs or niqabs in non-Muslim countries. They may encounter hostility, prejudice, harassment, or even physical attacks for their choice of dress. By remaining resilient, they show that they won't let external factors change who they are or compromise their beliefs. Similarly, LGBTQ+ people from conservative religious backgrounds may experience rejection by their families or communities.
Finding inner strength and resilience may help them navigate this challenging terrain without losing themselves or giving up on their identities.
Resilience also has spiritual benefits beyond coping with adversity. It can be seen as a form of self-improvement, character building, and moral development. It requires hard work, discipline, and perseverance, all qualities associated with spiritual practices such as fasting, praying, and meditation. Resilience teaches us to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and grow stronger through adversity. It provides a framework for personal transformation and transcendence.
Of course, there are limitations to this approach. Resilience doesn't replace traditional forms of sanctity or provide spiritual fulfillment alone. It is only one aspect of a broader search for meaning, purpose, and connection. But it can offer a path forward for those struggling to reconcile their faith with modern realities. As we navigate an increasingly secular world, resilience may become an essential quality for many believers seeking to remain true to their values while adapting to new social norms and expectations.
Resilience may represent a modern form of sanctity for marginalized believers in today's society. It allows them to stay strong and persistent despite external pressures, find inner strength, and focus on personal growth and development. While it cannot replace traditional forms of piety and devotion, it offers a way to remain grounded in our values and beliefs even when they clash with prevailing trends. As individuals continue to grapple with the complexities of religion and identity, resilience may become an important tool for finding balance and meaning in life.
Is resilience the modern form of sanctity for believers marginalized by religion?
It is true that the concept of resilience has gained widespread popularity among individuals who have been marginalized by their religious beliefs. This is because resilience provides an alternative way of coping with difficult situations in life, which may be more appealing than traditional forms of spirituality. In some cases, it may even replace religious faith altogether.