What does it mean to be 'overly religious'?

"I think religion is OK so long as someone does not become overly religious."

-- Gary, a long-ago colleague

I read the words of Dr. K.P.S. Kamath in last Monday's Southeast Missourian and was reminded of a one-time co-worker's comment to me, which appears as the epigram above. It's a strong memory. Drilling down, Gary was asked to elaborate on what it means to be "overly religious."

He replied it is alright for someone to have a religion, so long as that person doesn't talk about it with others. If he does, then he's overly religious. Kamath's words remind me of Gary.

To wit: "Everyone should have the right to practice the Old Constitution within the walls of one's house and conform one's behavior according to one's faith. However, when one steps outside one's house, one's unswerving allegiance should be to the Constitution of the United States of America." I heard Gary in Kamath's words, although the latter is considerably more articulate.

I teach Old Testament at Southeast Missouri State Univerisay, and I'm not familiar with Kamath's use of the term "Old Constitution," which is used as a counterpoint by the Cape Girardeau psychiatrist to the notion of the secular U.S. Constitution, presumably a "new" constitution.

There is no wish by this author to get into an argument with anyone. A person with even the most cursory acquaintance with history can find much truth in Kamath's words. As he pointed out, religion has given solace, inspired and nurtured, promoted civility and peace and tamed unruly behavior.

Historian Will Durant posits the following in the sixth book of his "Story of Civilization" series: "Religion is the last subject the intellect begins to understand. In our youth we may have resented, with proud superiority, its cherished incredibilities; in our less confident years we marvel at its prosperous survival in a secular and scientific age, its patient resurrections after whatever deadly blows by Epicurus, or Lucretius, or Lucian, or Machiavelli, or Hume or Voltaire."

The historian goes on: "Most men are harassed and buffeted by life, and crave supernatural assistance when natural forces fail them; they gratefully accept faiths that give dignity and hope to their existence, and order and meaning to the world; they could hardly condone so patiently the careless brutalities of nature, the bloodshed and chicaneries of history, or their own tribulations and bereavements; if they could not trust that these are parts of an inscrutable but divine design."

Religion also has been, in the hands of more than a few, a license to kill. That's a key phrase: "in the hands of more than a few." To clarify, it might be said it is not religion that is to blame for murderous actions, but those people acting in the name of religion.

Kamath told a story about an elderly Jewish man whose car breaks down on a treacherous highway. The tow-truck driver brings driver and car to the only available licensed garage, operated by a Muslim, who takes one look at the Jew's yarmulke and refuses him service. The moral is it is goodness of heart, not religion, that is the true hope of humanity.

On this point, we agree. Permit me to relate a similar story. A man is beaten and robbed and left for dead. A Jewish man. Two passers-by, members of his own faith, note his distress and keep going. A third man, whose religion taught him from birth to hate the Jew, binds his wounds, arranges for his lodging at an inn, and pays for his stay -- even offering to spend more money if the Jewish man needs it. This story, the parable of the good Samaritan, attributed to Jesus of Nazareth, is true religion. (Luke 10:25-37)

Your summation statement, Kamath, I agree with entirely: It is goodness of heart that is the true hope of humankind. For myself, I learn goodness of heart from my parents, my circle of friends and acquaintances, my community -- and yes, from my religion. I'm not going to throw my religion out because others have perverted it in reckless and deadly ways. And with apologies to my former co-worker Gary, I'm not going to keep it to myself.

Editor's note: The commentary of Dr. K.P.S. Kamath that appeared in Monday's edition may be found at semissourian.com/story/2196380.html.