BellaOnline Forums Religion and Spirituality Spirituality Spirtuality and Religion

Religion vs Spirituality...

Brings to mind the idea of conformity vs freedom...

I prefer a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ to being responsible for all the evil and violence in the world. As long as God is in control and has a plan, then I can rest easily knowing that I didn't make this world a trash heap, that satan did and it is all part of God's ultimate plan to show human kind that in Him there is no worry or fear, but without him, it is cold and firghtening beyond all reason.

I think I am a spiritual person by definition. In that I am lead by the Holy Spirit and don't conform to any Human list of who or what i "should" be. I love being accepted for myself just the way i am - the good, the bad and the ugly!

In my walk with Christ i have never felt that i "had to" follow a set of "rules". I have always felt compelled to show the love the Lord has shown to me to others, by not wanting to lie, by not wanting to steal, by not wanting to put anything or anyone beofre Him in my life and my heart. I've always felt that when i was born again, my DNA changed...I am so different than I used to be. Remembering always seems like a movie I watched a long time ago...

So, my conclusion on this topic is that organized religion, while not all bad; with traditions and doctrine set in the foundation set up by Christ (or another spiritual leader); is most often used to control and punish those who tend to think outside the box. Spirituality guides us to question that teaching to find truth for ourselves. For me, that truth was found in the person of Jesus Christ. If not for the hunger in my spirit, I would not have gone looking for truth.

Good response, Jenna...
I would however, discuss the 'Conformity vs Freedom'.... Surely the opposite of conformity is non-conformity, just as the opposite to freedom is confinement.... which does not describe religion to me...
Religion does not expect you to follow blindly, accepting all that is presented as truth, with blind faith, and no questioning, exploration or discernment...
Anyone who restricts themselves to this type of worship would be considered foolish and gullible.
You don't strike me as being that.

Providing you understand and accept that this may well be your Truth, but others cannot accept it as universal, proven and general, and find the requirement of faith in an unseen, unfelt and unwitnessed God,unworkable, then that's fine.

It is a theory, but a noble and virtuous one at that.
I cannot, and would not argue that you are wrong to think the way you do...This is the privilege of being human....
I would however, insist that others accord me the same respect, and do unto me, likewise.

Very well said Alexandra.

Good point Alexandra...

to me, non-conformity IS freedom and I have felt confined by traditional religion before. My freedom is in the acceptance I feel in the Love of the Lord.

It lets me off the hook (so to speak, not to release me from all responsibility) in that I know that I am renewed daily with Him. As opposed to my relationships with people, who use misunderstandings to drive divisions between themselves constantly...

Parents, old friends, spouses, children, co-workers

All relationships that are divided by pride and hurt feelings. With the Lord, I don't have to live by my feelings alone, I have His truth to guide me into a deeper understanding and acceptance of others. It helps me.... and gives me peace.... which to me, is the essence of my spirit.

Seems to me a big to do about nothing. If we have to defend our beliefs, it really makes them inefficient.

Does God go around defending his position ... or is God just going around BEING God.

I believe we should come to the point in all our ways & beliefs to ... BE. It is the only now moment that counts. The now with God is our eternity.

We get it all scrambled in our finite minds of the this's and that's of what we think it should be ... and the fact is it never really changes exactly what is really IS.

The point being, that we should stay active in the now with God, and let the rest of the world go by. We are only accountable for what we speak right now. NOW is the most important point of being. And, in that moment everything is put into its rightful perspective.

Just a thought ...
C.L. Mareydt

Christian= CHRIST like...whether it's a Religion you follow or believe in your own sprituality isn't it all about WHO we are? I don't believe there is any debate in that.

To me, my spirituality is expressed through Jesus Christ and my relationship with Him. For others, it's different. I accept that. For me I see God all around. For others, they seek truth in other ways. Connecting with one another, to me, is most important.

I am confused about how spirituality is defined?

What - in the dictionary,or by individuals?
The dictionary is one thing, and will rarely change the interpretation. With beings, quite another... I doubt any two people woud viewit in exactly the same way.... or even if their view was constant....

By individuals.