Here’s why I’m saying Hallelujah to Jada Pinkett Smith’s concept of the ‘urban nun’

Jada Pinkett Smith, American actress and talk show host described herself as an “urban nun”, who abstains from sex, alcohol, violent entertainment, and excessive spending. In an interview about her new memoir Worthy, Pinkett Smith shared that she has taken on the new lifestyle to obtain “clarity and emotional sobriety” in her life.

While the apostle Paul might not approve of the sexless marriage (Pinkett Smith is still married to Will Smith, though they define themselves as “separated”), the concept is an interesting one, and it’s great to see a high profile celebrity acknowledging the damaging effects of overindulgence, and promoting a life with less sin. I’m reminded of Paul’s words: “To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am.” 1 Corinthians 7:8-9. The urban nun concept is a fantastic model for how we don’t have to go seeking joy in experiences, people or things, but can live a more peaceful life. A single life can bring extra room for spirituality as it did for Paul. But what are Pinkett Smith’s spiritual beliefs?

She has taken on the new lifestyle to obtain “clarity and emotional sobriety” in her life.

After being accused of being a scientologist by actress Leah Remini, she set the record straight in a series of tweets explaining that she did not adhere to any particular belief system, but enjoys “spiritual study and observation of all kinds.”

She said: “I have studied Dianetics, and appreciate the merits of Study Tech… but I am not a Scientologist. I recently lit Shabbat candles with Rabbi Bentley at Temple Sinai… but I am not Jewish. I have prayed in mosques all over the world… but I am not a Muslim. I have read the Bhagavad Gita… but I am not a Hindu. I have chanted and meditated in some of the most magnificent temples on earth… but I am not a Buddhist.”

I can relate to Pinkett’s Smith spiritual journey and her statement that she’s “never been a fan of organized religion”. Before finding Jesus, I explored many different kinds of belief systems too. I remember going to my local Buddhist centre, but feeling like I didn’t want to get too involved. I was happy being a spiritual shopper, picking and choosing whatever "worked" for me, but not bothering to consider the objective truth of our spiritual realm.

Looking back I realised that it was a kind of "spiritual promiscuity," exploring everything but not committing.

Looking back I realised that it was a kind of "spiritual promiscuity," exploring everything but not committing. At the time it felt healing and beneficial, but I’ve now realised it caused emotional and spiritual suffering, just like excess alcohol, and sex outside of marriage.

With our God-shaped hole, we are going to search and seek continually until we commit. No matter how nun-like our lives are, we can’t do it alone. I pray Pinkett Smith learns the truth that knowing the Christian God is about relationship not religion, that it’s only with Jesus Christ that we can be truly free.