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Originally Posted by AndersB Of course there is a difference between spirituality and religion. Religion is more of the outward ritualistic type expressions. Whereas, spirituality is a more inward and personal attitude. I think all the comments I've read connected with this thread have made some very valid and insightful comments. I would, however, like to make one point. As was quoted in the original post by gloomraider, "religion is the shell - spirituality is the pearl within that shell". Remember that the pearl could not have been created outside of the shell. If it were not for the shell's protection from the tide and elements, the pearl would be nothing more than microscopic sea junk. So it is with religion and spirituality. Within the shell of religion, you CAN cultivate your own personal spirituality. True, not every clam or mollusk has a pearl inside, but many do. Not every religion appears to offer an environment which can help people cultivate their own personal spirituality, but many do. I believe that, regardless of the religion, if your focus is on the outward ritualistic aspects - you will not be very successful in improving your personal spirituality. On the other hand, if your focus is on the personal, more inward, and deeper meanings of faith, what appears from the outside to be nothing more than a meaningless and archaic ritual, can actually be a very spiritually uplifting experience. The primary focus needs to be inward. Don't automatically count religion out just because, generally speaking, it appears to be more focused on the outward. I think we need to remember that many people could look at us, (the Transformation community),and make many of the same judgments. That we are only focused on how we look, and what exercises we do. That we put too much emphasis on what we eat, how much we weigh, and how we look. But all of us here know that the weight loss, exercise, nutrition, and the natural changes in our physical appearances are nothing more than an outward manifestation of the transformation that each of us are experiencing on the INSIDE. Religions/sects/faiths/denominations/whatever you want to call them, with all of their seemingly meaningless rituals and practices can very well be the outward manifestations of someone's personal spirituality.

AndersB, well said, my friend! I love your insight. Thank you for sharing. God bless, Kimberly

Religious practices, in most traditions, are often only observed periodically and publicly (e.g. a religious ceremony at a mosque, temple or church on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday)

I don't believe that we should allow ourselves to fall into the trap of thinking about our spirituality in these terms – we should not restrict our spiritual practice to visits to a house of worship once a week or ceremonies / pilgrimages at certain times of the year. It is something we should live.

A spiritual life should be one that is alive, vibrant and relevant.

Now this may just be my opinion, but I believe that Spirit is something that is present everywhere; both seen and unseen and is in our lives, whether we realise it or not, at all times. Taking that into account, I then believe that “spirituality” is something that should be present in the way we live EVERY DAY.

“GOD” to me is a verb, not a noun – and choosing to believe in a higher power implies some responsibility for how I choose to live my life.

If we choose to walk this path, it should be evident by how we live that God (whoever or whatever you conceive him to be) is alive in us - we “show-up in the world” as an ambassador of compassion and loving-kindness; with the intention of bringing light and healing to the world.

Our spirituality is how we relate to the world, our fellow travellers and to life’s events.

I DO believe in spirituality and faith - I believe that what we do says more about where we stand with God than what we say.

I DON’T believe that God cares how many angels fit on the head of a pin (a genuine theological discussion, by the way !) - I believe that God, creation, the Universe (whatever you choose to call him) cares about how much WE care.

This is what I believe:
GOD IS LOVE.
GOD LOVES US ALL UNCONDITIONALLY..
IN FOLLOWING GOD, WE SHOULD STRIVE TO BE MORE LIKE HIM.


There are many people here that follow different religious and/or spiritual paths – the vast majority of us will believe ours is the right one. If you were to ask me which do I believe is the “Right Path”, I would have to ask you …

"Does your view of God cause you to love people more, help people more, be more accepting ?"

THE RIGHT PATH IS THE ONE THAT CAUSES YOU TO LOVE PEOPLE MORE.

THE RIGHT PATH CAUSES YOU TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP.

THE RIGHT PATH IS NOT PAVED WITH PREJUDICE

WE SHOULD STOP SCREAMING ABOUT OUR DIFFERENCES AND LOOK TO WHAT WE HAVE IN COMMON

PUT SIMPLY: LOVE & CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER


Could it be any simpler ?

:0)

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Originally Posted by Plantman0819 I am not perfect because I am a Christian, I am a Christian because I AM imperfect. Livning by example, is the way I choose to live. In the end, we are all in different places in our spiritual growth. For that reason, we should lift one another up and never, never, never tear someone down because of how they choose to live the free will they were given by our creator.

Aya that is definitely so true, I am not perfect because I am a Christian, I am a Christian because I Am imperfect. Here is another one I am not a sinner trying to be a Saint, but a Saint who sometimes sins.
"It's not who I am underneath but what I do that defines me".
God bless~
Jerome[/quote]



Amen

Your daily life is your temple and your religion.
Whenever you enter into it take with you your all.

(from "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran)

Thank you for this link and no Paul,I had not seen it...Hugs,Love Laura xoxxoox

Religion is a choice (Baptist, Catholic, Jewish, etc)...Christianity is by faith. If a person is a Christian, then they have the spirit within them, therefore they are spiritual. Yes, there is a difference.

AS I HAVE LOVED YOU ~LOVE ONE ANOTHER!!!!
DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE DONE UNTO YOU~ I love these.. This is how I really try to live my life! Thats what I love about Bills vision to BE THE CHANGE... It all fits together so nicely!

If you get a chance, visit The Women's Conference - Empowerment, Inspiration and Education for Women and take a moment to watch a replay of the webcast last week at the Long Beach Womens Conference.

Watch the Luncheon Session with Sister Joan Chittester ----> her speech on religion was outstanding.

"There are those who sincerely try to live a life they do no have, substituting religion for God, Christianity for Christ and there own noble endeavors for the energy, joy, and power of the Holy Spirit. In absence of reality, they can only grasp at ritual, stubbornly defending the latter in the absence of the former, lest they be found with neither! "
-Major W. Ian Thomas (foreword to Classic Christianity by Bob George)


I think this is the clearest definition I've ever heard on the difference between Religion and a Relationship with God.

It's so easy to be blinded by debate and rhetoric - I'm not particularly bothered which church, congregation or otherwise people belong to or how well they can quote sacred texts - it's not what people say; it's what they do that counts ...

"Faith without works is a dead thing"


Matthew 25:
Then the King will say to those who are at his right side, "Come ! My Father has blessed you. The kingdom was made ready for you when the world was first made. Come into it now.

I was hungry. You gave me food.
I was thirsty. You gave me a drink.
I was a stranger. You took me in.
I needed clothes. You gave me clothes.
I was sick. You came to visit me.
I was in prison. You came to see me."

Then the good people will ask him, "Lord when did we see you hungry and give you food? When did we see you thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you a stranger and take you in? When did we see you needing clothes and give you clothes? When did we see you sick or in prison and come to see you?"
`The King will answer them, "I tell you the truth. What you did for even the smallest of these people you did for me. They are my brothers."


Then he will say to those at the left side "Go away from me. You are cursed. Go into the fire that burns for ever. That fire has been made ready for the devil and his angels.

I was hungry. You did not give me food.
I was thirsty. You did not give me a drink.
I was a stranger. You did not take me in.
I needed clothes. You did not give me any clothes.
I was sick and in prison. You did not come to see me."

Then they will also ask, "Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or needing clothes, or sick, or in prison, and did not help you?"
Then the King will answer them, "I tell you the truth. What you did not do for even the smallest of these, you did not do for me."


"Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do."
(That one's by Bruce Lee, by the way !)

;0)

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Originally Posted by gloomraider WE SHOULD STOP SCREAMING ABOUT OUR DIFFERENCES AND LOOK TO WHAT WE HAVE IN COMMON PUT SIMPLY: LOVE & CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER Could it be any simpler ?

As simple as it gets! Love and be loved! In one, as one!

Thank you for this thought provoking thread Paul! Your heart shines through your wisdom! A wisdom that is set to unify our spirit and community through inclusion and love!

It is wonderful to see so many with such awareness and love.

I for one believe everything is energy and we are all one!

Namaste,
Tiffany

The personal life deeply lived always expands into truths beyond itself. Anais Nin
As we each explore our hearts and souls deeply I so appreciate the willingness for each to express the divinity within! Blessings and gratitude to all.