I’m often amazed there is not a bigger push to make religion more democratic.

Politically speaking democracy is often viewed as the ideal form of government because it provides a voice for all. It’s based on the belief that the many know better than the few. Over time the voices of the many usually shut down the fanatical voices of the few. It’s a system that allows “common sense” to prevail.

The same cannot be said for most religions, however. Religion is often autocratic – The masses readily giving their voices to the few.

But why? Why do we demand that our voices be heard in the political world, but so readily give them away in spiritual world?

Is it because we think others know better than us on spiritual matters? Many religions are based around historical prophets claiming to know better. The books proclaiming the prophets words then become the authority. Or those who study the prophets become the experts. The authority and the experts then become infallible. We listen to their voices and study their words for direction. But are we blindly following? Or have we taken the time to question and examine their source of the authority and expertise, especially when they don’t pass the “smell” test?

Is it because the consequences of not being heard in spiritual world are less visible and immediate? Political matters usually have an immediate and visible impact, whether it be economics, war or social issues. Spiritual matters, however, are usually hidden and take longer to manifest. They are like the hairs on our head – We can’t see them grow, but wake up one day and they are long and unruly.

Or is it because we just don’t care? Deep down we know spirituality is important, but it takes a lot of work. It’s easier to let someone else do the work and follow their lead.

Whatever the case, over the long term aren’t the consequences of our spirituality more important than the consequences of our politics?

Don’t we owe it to ourselves to make our voices heard on spiritual matters just as we do on political matters?

Timothy Velner is a husband, father, attorney and author living in Minneapolis. You can follow his daily blog – a series of discussions between the worry-self and the present-self at – thespiritualgym.me