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Please consider a religious concept called “The Body.” It could mean a much easier ride during the 21st century. Failing to embrace it could bring about some pretty dark times.

For those who are unfamiliar with the concept, “The Body” is supposed to be a conduit for the very presence of God through spiritual people to their society. The metaphor is normally illustrated from a person’s own body; The brain, the eye, the hand, the foot, etc., working together so something good can happen, like scoring a touchdown at Friday night’s football game while the crowd goes bonkers.

Athletes know life is so sweet when “The Body” works together.

It’s quite a concept. In the most far-reaching applications, “The Body” affirms the value of each individual as a creation of God and means everybody, everywhere has something to offer other people. It opens the door in a way far surpassing the woefully inadequate concept of “tolerance” so popular today. Those who subscribe to the concept look at people in a new light, regardless of age, sex, national origin, etc.

The Body is admittedly a beautiful, but tough concept to work through because once it starts there’s no stopping it. It’s like the song that never ends.

But there’s help. Another concept being revived in religious circles could be loosely called “Love Them Anyway.” This concept addresses everybody’s weaknesses, petty annoyances and prejudices that affect and detract from daily life. The motivation for Love Them Anyway is loosely based on the thought, “God loves me through all my faults anyway, so …”

“Love Them Anyway” is the realization some people are not perfect, they are not lovely, they are not educated, or they are educated and arrogant. Love them anyway.

It recognizes that some people’s selfish or self-indulgent habits are repulsive; they can be angry, intransigent and, worst of all, cancel out my vote during elections.

Love them anyway.

And most illuminating may be when personal obstacles to “loving people anyway” are encountered. The realization that one of the unlovely people is in the mirror can be startling.

By the way this is why some religious circles take advantage of saying “I’m sorry” to God often. Those two words spoken between us will change the world for the better whether one believes in a God or not. It’s a cleansing thing to do like a shower after a hard, sweaty day.

Back to “The Body.” Practice begins in a local congregation over a period of time. For some that’s tough enough so it goes no further. Some take it to the next level and “see” their entire denomination, movement or whatever and begin to practice “The Body” in the city, state or country.

Some will go further and actually visit the congregation next door. This is a huge step with lots of obstacles, but to survive the 21st century, I believe this will be required this more often.

From there the flood gates open. Everyone, everywhere that shares your religion, no matter what expression of it is revealed as “The Body.” Up to a billion people. That’s the size of the world’s largest religion. Your perspective now embraces the world. Anyone can spend a lifetime of joy and purpose working out that world perspective.

Then one day it hits; the people who aren’t in your religion are potentially part of “The Body.” To your way of thinking they, in fact, “should” be part of it but aren’t. Perhaps they never will be. What then? Five billon more people.

“Love Them Anyway” kicks in. The experiences in a local congregation, slowly learning how to love those in the next seat, suddenly becomes the platform to real love throughout the world to all regardless of race, national origin, etc, etc. Religion is all about preparation. What are we preparing for?

One religion says, “The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart.” That’s a pretty good goal.

“Love Them Anyway” and “The Body” are practical and spiritual concepts leading to spiritual healing. It brings genuine love in the home, community, city or country. Sometimes the “lessons” are quite painful, or take a lot of concentration and soul searching or — hardest of all — change. But for the individual it brings on patience, peace, goodness, gentleness and self control. There is no law against those qualities. Now just imagine a world working that out day to day.

You may say this is just someone’s dream, but I’m not the only one. It’s a long road, but worth traveling. More and more people are taking it.

In the funny movie “Miss Congeniality,” the running joke was that all the beauty pageant contestants told the judges they wanted “world peace.” It was an automatic and expected thing for them to say. It became laughable when they said “world peace.” But if anyone is serious about world peace, please start this weekend, and Bon Voyage.