BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Spirituality Spirtuality and Religion

Thanks,I'll check it out!

Not sure what the gist of this post was intended to be, but it seems to me it was a question of what is spirituality vs religion for your readers?

If that is the case - to me, spirituality is a calling within a person's spirit that directs their philosophy of life, and guides their belief system. It is deeper than the physical and not as tangible as the "rational." It is a call to spirit.

Religion is any set of beliefs held by a group of individuals who individually or jointly practice said beliefs in conjunction with set rituals and authoratative texts. Religion may or may not be spiritual.

KendraShai

That's a good way of defining it! IMHO <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Well, traditional Christianity may teach that you can't experience God without asking him to come "inside". The funny thing is the Bible also says that "no one can come to the Father except the Holy Spirit draws him." So does that mean that only those specially chosen by God can even get past the first step of being "drawn" before the second step of "accept"? - Janet

John 4:23 "But the time is coming--it has, in fact, come--when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship."

1Th 2:11 "You experienced it all firsthand. With each of you we were like a father with his child,
1Th 2:12 holding your hand, whispering encouragement, showing you step-by-step how to live well before God, who called us into his own kingdom, into this delightful life."

Jam 1:18 "He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures."

Hi Janet..it's nice to see you in the forums again...however, I could go on and on with Scripture to back up my point..being that yes, we are ALL called to come to the Father through Jesus. And, YES, He is the only way. Otherwise, he would not have had to die for ALL of us. It's not that there are only a select few....God desires that none should perish..He wants US ALL!! We are all special!!!

One more:
1Cor 1:9 "God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that."

On the issue of religion vs Spirituality God says:
Jam 1:26 "Anyone who sets himself up as "religious" by talking a good game is self-deceived. This kind of religion is hot air and only hot air.
Jam 1:27 Real religion, the kind that passes muster before God the Father, is this: Reach out to the homeless and loveless in their plight, and guard against corruption from the godless world."

Dear Visitors,

It is gratifying to see such a lively exchange of ideas in the area of spirituality and religion.

My current article focuses on this topic. I thought you might find it useful in your discussion. My article is titled "Spirituality, Religion, and Business":
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art6709.asp

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to the forum.

i like that comparison of spiritualism and religion much better than the last! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> You are right, they don't have to be mutually exclusive. I have felt very guilty, because up until about a year ago, I was one of those that only took that 1st step. I was a Baptist, but I wasn't a Christian - meaning I wasn't Christ-like. I had not allowed Him to have control of my soul and to lead my heart. I did not feel a great need to get to know Him better (I think because part of me knew that if I did, so much more would be expected of me). And while, yes, more IS expected of me; I have gained so much more in return! <img src="/images/graemlins/heart.gif" alt="" />

Sorry for taking over your forum the way we have. <img src="/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

Dear Michelle,

Don't be sorry! I'm happy to see a lively discussion in the forum. It's usually so quiet.

And to all who have posted, a big thank you! I hope it continues and spreads to other areas of discussion.

Kendra I agree with you on your definitions.

I believe very much in God and do my best to be a good person and treat people well. It is organized religion that I despise. Religion is big business and I detest what it stands for. Religion is about control and money. *Not to mention deeply religious people are the most narrow-minded and judgmental people that I have met. I have also noticed that they are controlling and sometime manipulative.* But I don't want to lump all religious people into those categories. There are some out there who don�t fit into what I have just described.

I understand that these people whole-heartedly believe that they are doing a good thing by trying to force their beliefs onto others, but there are a hundred other religions out there doing the same thing...each one claiming to be the only "true" religion.

*Please note that these statements are my own opinion based on my own experiences*

I wanted to clear up a few things.
1.The Holy of Holies, or the place where God dwells, is inside you.In your heart.You body is a temple. This earth is ruled by satan. We are at war and the believers in Christ are behind enemy lines. As long as we keep Heaven in our hearts then we can carry the battle. This is what Jesus meant. When you say the Lord's prayer, " on earth as it is in Heaven.", you are proving the distinction.Heaven is a real place separate from this earth. Jesus is the ONLY way to get to God the Father. It is written, " I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life, and NO ONE goes to the Father but by Me."( my emphasis added)
2.The battle is a spiritual battle in the heart, of the heart, and for the heart.
3.The Christmas tree is a creation of St. Boniface. The pagans of Germany believed that evergreen boughs were holy because they survived green during the winter which they believed symbolized death. St. Boniface took a small green evergreen tree that had a triangular shape and used it to illustrate the Holy Trinity to the German pagans. They loved this illustration and accepted Christ. In commemoration of their conversion the Germans accepted the tree to celebrate the birth of their Savior. God is well versed at taking evil and changing it for good.

True Christianity is not a religion, it is a faith. Religions are created by men. Christianity was founded by God manifested in the flesh, Jesus Christ. Religion tries to reach out to God. The finite trying to reach out to the infinite. ( impossible). Christianity is mankind accepting mercy through Jesus Christ. I.E. God reaching out to man. The infinite reaching down to the finite. (possible)Christians ARE narrow minded. We limit our desires and beliefs to God's desires. Everything outside God's desires is sin.It is written," For the way is narrow and there are few who find it." What you see as judgement by Christians is really discernment. There is a big difference. Judgement is a decision. We are not allowed to make judgements about what is right or wrong.God does that. We DISCERN between behaviors to determine if they are right or wrong based on the judgements God has already made.