IN THEORY:

The most recent Pew Forum national survey showed that Californians are less religious and less inclined to believe in God than the rest of the country. Californians also pray less and generally do not take scripture as literally. Responding to the survey, J. Gordon Melton, Santa Barbara-based author of “The Encyclopedia of American Religions,” said: “California is certainly leading the trend in generating new religions and sending them off to the rest of the country. The pluralism is a function of toleration levels. That is a peculiarly California way.” What’s your take on the survey’s results, and do you find it more challenging to spiritually reach Californians?

I think the trend toward “new” religions, pluralism and religious toleration is a good one. But whether new or old, a spiritual tradition must prove itself anew for every generation and in each culture it enters.

Many people now are cynical about involvement in any spiritual group.

It can be difficult to encourage newcomers to commit to a spiritual practice such as meditation long enough to experience its benefits or to appreciate the resources and support of a community.

An oft-used analogy is digging for water: You can explore a number of possible spots, but at some point you must choose one and dig deeply if you are ever to find the water.

The Rev. Deborah Barrett

Zen Center of Orange County, Costa Mesa

It seems to me that people who are used to analyzing ideas and open-minded to thoughts different from the usual may be getting a bit tired of being told, from the pulpit, things that make no common sense.

Jerry Falwell’s blaming natural disasters on God’s wrath against homosexuals is an example. And absurd statements from other well-known and supposedly popular preachers can’t help but raise questions about religion in general. Just ask Barack Obama about his preacher!

And the religious people who voted for George W. Bush simply because they considered him to be one of us because of his supposed religiosity.

Thus, they supported what is probably the most morally corrupt administration ever, which obviously puts a bad name on religion because it was the religious unity that gave Bush enough votes to allow the decision of his election to go to the Supreme Court.

The Republican party, the party of the rich, has been able to persuade religious people to vote Republican in spite of the fact that the GOP completely ignores such biblical directives as to assist the poor.

Feelings of deep spirituality can be achieved without belonging to specific religions. Most religious writings are open to more than one interpretation.

Californians, and hopefully Americans in general, are becoming more analytical and wiser in their decisions instead of simply relying on spoon-fed emotions.

Jerry Parks

Member, Humanist Assn. of Orange County

Californians live in a western mindset open to the multicultural experience. Prayer is not big in California because most people are just too busy to pray. That is why I developed an Internet presentation on prayer for those who are seeking to transform their lives versus escape their circumstance.

At our website, www.cmcsd.org, you can click on “How to pray” and learn my approach. It involves a brief period of focused breath work while centering one’s thinking on one of seven verities: love, life, light, beauty, peace, truth and joy. The old adage, be still and know, is a powerful truth that requires practice, not speculation, analysis or wonder.

It’s easy to find religion. It’s a challenge to find one’s spiritual self — the thing Californians frequently look for but often lose sight of in their pursuit of status, satisfaction and safety.

Pastor Jim Turrell

Center for Spiritual Discovery, Costa Mesa