Definition of Christianity
Christianity is one of the world’s largest and oldest religions, based on a belief in a single God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is the most widely practiced faith in the world, with around two billion adherents worldwide. The primary practices of Christianity involve attending church and participating in religious activities, along with personal prayer and reflection. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to determine if they consider themselves a Christian.
Walt Whitman and His Relationship to Christianity
Walt Whitman was a renowned American poet and essayist best known for his collection Leaves of Grass. Since his earliest years, Whitman’s writings have been associated with religious themes, often drawing comparisons to the transcendentalism of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. He was not however a conventionally religious person: he was an agnostic who did not believe in an afterlife.
On a closer examination of Whitman’s relationship with religion, it is apparent that he leaned towards what would be considered a progressive or universalist interpretation of Christianity. In both his work and life, Whitman seemed to draw heavily on traditional Christian values, but he rejected strict theology and developed his own spirituality. For example, his poem “Song of Joys” speaks of joy, love and celebration, seemingly celebrating a wider appreciation for life than might be found within a particularly traditional framework.
In many ways, Whitman’s writing reflects his effort to reconcile religion and science, often exploring concepts of humanism and rationalism by showing how they can be incorporated with religious thought. For example, in his essay “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry”, he wrote of the power of historical consciousness, the idea of humans as the bridge between past and future—the idea of a common humanity—but also of a larger, spiritual awareness that encompasses all life.
Whitman’s Philosophy on Religion
In his writings, Whitman often speaks of the importance of love and the need for spiritual renewal from within the individual. He encourages readers to think of themselves as unique individuals with unique experiences, while being part of something larger than themselves.
In his poetry and prose, Whitman often experiments with ideas of pantheism, the belief that divinity can be found in aspects of the natural world as well as within the individual. He wrote of a sense of connection to nature that runs deep, suggesting that it was not necessarily separate from humanity, but intertwined. He often wrote of “the divine source,” using words such as “the Universal Soul,” suggesting the existence of a more general force of life.
Whitman and the Christian Tradition
Despite his rejection of conventional Christianity, it is clear that Whitman was heavily influenced by the faith of his family, many of whom were devout Quakers. Scholars suggest that his understanding of what it meant to be a Christian was informed by his social environment as well as by his search for a spiritual awakening. For example, he was strongly influenced by the ideals of racial equality and social justice, which are core values of Christianity. In “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry,” Whitman expresses his vision of Christian unity and brotherhood, exploring the interconnectedness of all people across time.
There are also references to prayer, humility, and faith in many of Whitman’s works, all values associated with Christianity. He wrote extensively of his own spiritual journey, often drawing on Biblical texts and using Biblical imagery, even as he sought to define and articulate his own, more progressive spirituality.
Whitman’s Legacy
Many scholars have attempted to define Whitman’s spirituality, and whether or not he can be considered a Christian in the traditional sense. In particular, his legacy has been explored in relation to the transcendentalism of his contemporaries, and in relation to his emphasis on humanism and individualism. What is certain is that Whitman’s exploration of what it means to be a spiritual person, and his development of a progressive form of Christianity, has had a lasting influence on American and world literature.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is important to note that Walt Whitman may not be considered a traditional Christian, but he was inarguably inspired by the faith. He was heavily influenced by the values of Christianity, such as love and social justice, and used his writing to explore how Christianity could be reconciled with concepts of humanism and pantheism. His progressive interpretation of Christianity and the spiritual themes found in his work have had a lasting impact on world literature and American culture.
