Analysis Of Meredith Mcguire's Lived Religion

Often times, people practicing religion feel a necessity to comply with religious norms. If people feel as though they do not fit into these roles, then they question whether they are good practicing religious people. However, there is more to religion than what fits into religious norms. In her book, Lived Religion, Meredith McGuire brings forth an idea of thinking of religion, “At the individual level, as ever-changing, multifaceted, often messy -even contrary-” (McGuire, 4). Religion at the individual level is the way people fit religion into their interest and daily routines. Cielo does not consider herself a traditional Mexican catholic. Like McGuire’s description, Cielo is ever-changing often messy and contrary to religious norms but …show more content…
Cielo explained that in her teen years, “the charismatic movement was huge, all the youth groups would be involved in these movements…people would speak in tongues, receive the gift of prophecy, and healing of the sick.” However, Cielo was not “feeling those vibes”, she thought that, “being spiritual meant being overly religious.” Although Cielo did not recognize it, what she felt was normal. As McGuire explains, “none of my interviewees expressed a pattern of religious belief and practice that fit standard sociological assumptions” (McGuire, 3). Cielo had to find her own method to connect with God using the gift she was given by God. Concerned about her spirituality, Cielo spoke with Father Fidel and, “This particular priest said, what do you think it is you know how to do?” Cielo replied, “I think I’m good at music.” McGuire mentions the importance of, “what we might discover if…we focus first on individuals, the experiences they consider most important, and the concrete practice that make up their personal religious experiences and expression” (McGuire, 4). Since Father Fidel focused on the individual and what Cielo considered important, he allowed her to understand and learn how to incorporate her gift …show more content…
Cielo’s guitars hold so much value in them because they become part of her journey and who she is as a person both religiously and on a daily basis. Cielo expressed that all her guitars are important to her, however there are 2 guitars that stand out the most. The first guitar Cielo mentioned was her mother’s guitar, she explained this guitar as having an emotional connection because, “it’s a connection to my mother, who is not around anymore and was not around for most of my life, its that emotional connection and the fact that I know I got music from her.” Pattison explains, “Many people have objects of no financial value around them, but because of their association they would not change or get rid of them for the world” (Pattison, 200). In Cielo’s case, this particular guitar aids in a spiritual connection to her mother. Although this guitar is not financially valuable and “not great musically” as Cielo explained, it is a guitar that she will treasure because of that special connection to her mother. This guitar was also the one she began using when she began to have a deeper connection with God. Therefore, since this was her mother’s guitar and she had that religious brake through with it, it is even more special spiritually. Another guitar that is important to Cielo is, “My Takamine nylon string guitar, for me it