Discussions
Religion ?vs? Spirituality
Posted by amzolt • 6/15/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: religion, Spirituality
Some folks cleave to Religion.
Some to Spirituality.
Some say it's either/or.
Some embrace both.
How 'bout you ?
~ Alex
User Comments
-
Spirituality. My faith is my core of my living and air I breathe. -
Both -
www.blogcatalog.com/group/religious-debate
Before this becomes a secularist vs. spiritualist vs. religion debate, I should drop this link.-
Voodoo, you're such a kill joy.
-
-
Here's the link to a 4 day old thread on the very same topic www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/entry/religion-vs-spirituality
Here's a link to all the threads on the subject www.blogcatalog.com/discuss/search.php?q=religion spirituality
Here's a link to the 323 blogs on the same subject www.blogcatalog.com/search/spirituality
I see your blog is also on the same subject too. If your wish to promote it on the forum the correct category for your post would be Shameless Blog Promotion.
Happy blogging
-
timethief,
I wasn't promoting my blog (except that being on this site and communicating does it naturally).
I was beginning a ciscussion on a subject dear to my heart.
Thank you for reminding me how many others feel the same way.
~ Alex
-
-
Spirituality...That is sort of a vague term that is widely used...But what does it really mean ?-
I've often asked the same question.
-
-
have faith in the BC discussion search feature. -
I think both provide tools to find your answers they are not the answer and whatever one works for you thats okay -
@amzolt
I just stumbled a very good post by a BC member on this subject this morning. You can find it here. guidetolifeblog.com/blog4/?p=59-
timethief,
Thanks a heap for that link !
I immediately added the blog to my RSS Reader...
~ Alex
-
-
As a scientific rationalist, I don't think it's either/or.
(Note that "scientific rationalist" isn't a formal label, it's just a fair description.) -
gerryPlanetEarth,
I feel spirituality is the inner core of the outward form--religion.
~ Alex-
Yes, religion, in my opinion, shackles. Spirituality is freeing on the INSIDE, as well as the outside.
-
Beautiful words but I still do not understand what people mean when they say they are spiritual...
-
-
I don't believe in religion, but I do believe in the spirituality of man.
My definition of spirituality - tapping into the resonant frequencies of the Superluminal Universe, after all we are just bundles/balls of energy riding on the aetheral planes of this Universe -
Spirituality ~ If I went with Religion I risk losing the foundation of my faith -
Spirituality - Nards
-
From the guy who started this discussion:
So far, it's leaning toward Spirituality and away from Religion.
What, in your opinion is "wrong" with Religion. Not with the members of various Faiths but with Religion, per se...?
~ Alex-
I think the basic problem is simply religions are only as good as their users...
-
-
spirituality, as I used to be very religion person, but I found out there are many cases and dispute in this subject and even now in my country there is a big dispute about religion, so I became more into spirituality and actually I am agnostic, as I do not like being 'exclusive' in religion stuff. -
Hi,
I think, it fair use of the term, a religion is something that encompasses a group of people who share some core views concerning the nature of life and the universe, what may exist after life ends - and what may have existed before life begins. Fundamental to any religion are these core ideas. These ideas may evolve over time (as it has in the Christian religions), but all members share some element of the religion, so that they can say that they belong to that religion. Usually, there are leaders within the group, who act as the focal point for religious observation.
So, there lies the rub for me. I do not want to embrace any core value, that I cannot personal change as I wish when I wish. I do not want anyone interpreting how I should be viewing the nature of life or the universe. I wish to evolve my views in my own way, in my own time, in any direction that I wish. I desire the flexibility to change and grow at the pace that is appropriate for my life's journey.
Therefore, I a spiritual person, who does not embrace any religion that I feel may constrain my own spiritual growth. Of course, this is my own perspective, which others may or may not share. Everyone grows in their own way, in their own time, in their own space.
Rich -
Human beings are conditioned to think along the lines of duality. This means they believe they must make choices, sense separation or fragmented ideas. Another view is only unity exists.
Spirituality, at the core, is grounded in love and freedom. Religion is grounded in "human" interpretation of spiritual ideas, but hinging on fear, power dynamics- politics, and unrecognized personal agreements with the ego and psyche. Domesticated human beings use religion to impose their beliefs on spirituality when spirituality was originally offered freely without emotion.-
Liara,
Again, whether I believe all you say or not, you write so compellingly it makes me ponder deeply...
Thank you!
-
-
Why is this an either / or question?-
Actually, what the original post said was:
Some folks cleave to Religion.
Some to Spirituality.
Some say it's either/or.
Some embrace both.
How 'bout you ?
-
-
Both...However, spirituality over religion...Hands down! @Alex - good to see ya - Nards
-
Thanks for weighing in, Nards!
-
-
def'n
spirituality
Main Entry: spir·i·tu·al·i·ty
Pronunciation: \ˌspir-i-chə-ˈwa-lə-tē\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural spir·i·tu·al·i·ties
Date: 15th century
1 : something that in ecclesiastical law belongs to the church or to a cleric as such
2 : clergy
3 : sensitivity or attachment to religious values
4 : the quality or state of being spiritual-
Both are but interpretation for the paradox that is life. Albeit that one is personal without confirmation, while the other is often personified by conformation!
Of the two, Religion is empty without Spirituality. -
So where's the definition of religion?
;-) -
@ amzolt
within the spirituality one
the problem isn't with religion per say but the loss of mysticism in Western peoples hence the self-hating attitude and denial of where we are from, our own traditions and culture, and the seeking out of what is thought lacking in Eastern religions containing spirituality. -
religion –noun
1.a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2.a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3.the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4.the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5.the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6.something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
-
-
Who dug this up from June? Did we really need more religious/anti-religous arguing?
-
Sure hope we don't argue!
Just looking for the spread of ideas.
-
-
I'd like to answer this question with some scripture. But, first let me say "religion" has caused a lot of damage. However, "faith" or one's spirituality based on seeking truth can do more good than we can even understand sometimes. It's also important to recognize that the pursuit of truth, doesn't mean pursuing relative truth, or the truth as you know it now, but real truth.
What does the Bible say about "religion"?
Here is Jesus talking to his disciples and a crowd that gathered:
"Don't set people up as experts over your life, letting them tell you what to do. Save that authority for God; let him tell you what to do. No one else should carry the title of 'Father'; you have only one Father, and he's in heaven." (Matthew 23:9)
"I've had it with you! You're hopeless, you religion scholars, you Pharisees! Frauds! Your lives are roadblocks to God's kingdom. You refuse to enter, and won't let anyone else in either. "You're hopeless, you religion scholars and Pharisees! Frauds! You go halfway around the world to make a convert, but once you get him you make him into a replica of yourselves, double-damned." (Matthew 23:13-15)
These verses were from "The Message" Bible version. I think it pretty much sums up the "importance" of religion. In my case, and I know many others, I "cleave" as best as I can to Jesus, not religion.-
Do you have any references from other Holy Books?
-
Sorry, not at this time.
-
[Do you have any references from other Holy Books?]
I'm curious, what exactly makes a book holy? -
me too!
-
-
Thank you amzolt for the topic! I've posted about this on one of my blogs.
Everyone is invited to join me here, in my post title What Did Jesus Say About Religion?
alexanderwrites.blogspot.com/2008/07/what-did-jesus-say-about-religion.html -
faith in a Love ruled by a supreme source of all matter is closer to spirituality than all the Religious congregations efforts combined.
Religions are like makeup whereas spirituality is the face...
To get a clean view of the spirit you have to wash off the makeup...
Blessings from Minister Belanger..owlmon@gmail.com www.allcreatorsgifts.org -
Do the "religiously fettered," who have dominated this forum for two weeks now and who have stooped to resurrecting dead threads to necro-post to them have to be pandered to?
Is posting to such threads likely to enhance our BC experience? -
Just wanted to go on record that any inference that anyone talking about their faith is trying to "poison" members "BC experience" is a gross mischaracterization.
I respect the BC community and appreciate the opportunities it affords. However, there are people here dealing in hate when it comes to anyone expressing contrary views to their own. -
-
I thought "resurrecting dead threads" or in this case a closed thread was forbidden in your rule book.
I believe the behavior of following people's comments with accusations of "trolling and spamming" is a very sad practice.
I also believe that mocking a commentator by repetitively invoking the question of the "Holy Spirit of God" is not only mean spirited...it is very un-loving. It is a mocking of Christians...and sadly, could be seen as blasphemous as well. -
why do you continually build up these strawmen arguments?? Sorry but I just don't see what you have implied at all TT against TBR.
Show me something of substance before labelling TBR a troll or spamming. -
now come on, you are giving goodknife extra work as moderator, he just removed that link TT from your previous post and I simply don't see what you are implying of TBR from that one discussion.
-
-
As I have discovered...
One can be very religious and not have a shred of spirituality about them.
And visa versa...
A person can be very spiritual, and can in no way be religious.
But, if I was to favor one or the other, I would pick spirituality, simply because one can be spiritual and not religious. Religion is not a prerequisite to spirituality. But, if one decides to be religious, often times...either spirituality follows, or that religious practice is substituted for spirituality and spirituality is lost.-
Great observation!
-
but that would mean spirituality always goes hand in hand with morality and I have seen and read from those who consider themselves spiritual greatly lacking in the morality department.
truly visa versa would be
very religious and very spiritual
and
no way religious and no way spiritual -
I never said spirituality goes hand in hand with morality.
Morality is a good thing, but that isn’t a prerequisite to spirituality either.
"truly visa versa would be
very religious and very spiritual
and
no way religious and no way spiritual"
Those would be the extremes yes. -
@Duke,
would you say virtue is a characteristic of spirituality? -
It would be an obvious byproduct of being spiritual, yes.
But it is not a prerequisite. -
@Duke,
boy oh boy you don't know how religious you sound at the moment, ie faith alone. (replace spiritual with faith, and virtue with works) -
How am I being religious?
You can twist the words how ever you wish.
FYI: Spirituality does not equal faith. -
"FYI: Spirituality does not equal faith."
that is but one opinion amongst many, it is also not the norm.
from a Christian perpective "faith is the substance of things hoped for"
the supernatural is pure spirit, and Christians have the hope of partaking of this divine nature hence a spirituality. -
So, you are saying that Buddhists are not spiritual?
That spirituality is strictly Christian?
Spirituality does not equal faith.
Spirituality is the action of being in contact with your spiritual side.
Verses, being strictly religious and just doing, thus ignoring your spirit.
"The Church" does not own the rights to spirituality.
Spirituality is like freedom of choice, personal.
Besides - Since when have you seen me as “Normal”? lol -
"So, you are saying that Buddhists are not spiritual?" - can't voice an opinion on that however I can say Buddhism is more about self-enlightment and self-enlightment doesn't necessarily equal spirituality. We are of the natural.
"That spirituality is strictly Christian?" answer nope
"Spirituality does not equal faith." already covered this try again
"[The Church] does not own the rights to spirituality." nor do individuals
"Spirituality is like freedom of choice, personal." - you mean freewill?
"Besides - Since when have you seen me as “Normal”?" - don't know you from Adam to jump to any conclusions about you physically, mentally or spiritually -
lol
I respect your opinion on the matter.
Come back again now, yah hear? -
proper syntax is
"can I get an, Amen?"
but I stand ya, yah hear.
-
-
Morgantj,
If you put the words "holy book" into Wikipedia, you get this:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_book-
Yes, but even they redirected to "religious text"...something a bit more acceoptable for some of us not wanting to give a "Holy" designation to anything...not wanting to appear self righteous or self appointed to say so.
-
At least they seem to give the Prophet-Founders their due..... (somewhat...)
-
-
timetheif,
If you don't like this discussion, why did you come back? -
I don't think I am partial to either. However, I am in "awe" of the grandness of the universe.
-
Ah! Just looking at the night sky induces a deep spiritual feeling!!
-
If that is what it is to be spiritual, then I am very. I can look and feel and practically become the tree branches and leaves blowing in the wind, I feel one with the wind, the tree, the branches. At the beach, I feel the awesomeness of depths of the ocean, the surface, the crashing of waves, I am the sand and the ocean. I feel a "oneness." with nature. If that is spiritual, then I am extremely.
-
I should add that I speak of this as a natural feeling, not supernatural.
-
-
morgantj,
Added your blog to my RSS Reader. -
I think in thread like religion.. The one who start should tell first about what he believe-
Not a bad idea!
-
There's already enough argument in this thread.
I didn't say what I believe because I wanted *unbiased* responses, not people getting off on arguing... -
This is also true.
Hmmmm... -
@weblogian
"I think in thread like religion.. The one who start should tell first about what he believe"
I agree with you. However, most people posting religious threads on this forum prefer not to declare their own beliefs. They take the same position that amzolt has taken regarding "unabiased" responses. Hence, those who voluntarily respond to "vague" talking points have no idea what belief system the OP has embraced, if any, and they have no idea what use is ever made of their response.
Setting that aside, it's simple to click on any BC username and find their blog. Then you can view both the blog and the tag cloud in the sidebar.
www.bahai.org/
FWIW the BC searchbox turns up 2 other blogs registered here that also use the tag Bahai www.blogcatalog.com/search/Bahai/
-
-
Both are totally deluded-
@acousticguitarist
I sincerely believe that we are all deluded but that few of us are aware of it.
-
-
I love spirituality.. i also have a blog dedicated to spirituality.. have a look.. satya.chapagain.com.np-
Just added your blog to my RSS Reader...
-
-
timethief,
What if, inspite of my being a Baha'i, I really did want folks *unbiased* opinions? -
Everyone Else In This Discussion,
Does it matter what Faith I am (or no Faith) to the actions you take in answering the original questions? -
I might add that if "Baha'i" in my tag cloud somehow discredits what I say, I should warn you all (especially timethief) that my tag cloud, which was referenced, has all these "discrediting" words:
Bahá'í Baha'i International Community blog body broken broken heart business crisis drugs faith food global god heart hepatitis C hep c human human rights justice life love man mercy pain peace poet poetry pray prayer praying religion rights soul spirit spiritual spirituality suffer suffering treatment un unity war woman women world -
I am spiritual. I don't really affiliate with any religion. My experience with organized religions is that they are more interested in gaining wealth and being exclusionary. They often think they are better than anyone in another religion.
For me, I've always been drawn to more earth-based religions that truly come from spirituality and peace within.
At the same time, I don't judge people who are very religious as long as they can respect my beliefs at the same time. This is something I am hard-pressed to find. -
@amzolt
I'm entitled to my opinion although it may differ from yours. I would prefer that those who post religious questions declare their own belief system up front. I gave the new blogger weblogian instructions that other bloggers are already well aware of.
From the OP:
Some folks cleave to Religion.
Some to Spirituality.
Some say it's either/or.
Some embrace both.
How 'bout you ?
I come from a very large family full of religious people (Christian Evangelical fundamentalists), who are not IMO in touch with their spiritual nature at all. The religious people who comprise both sides of my family are loathe to even learn how to meditate because they say such a practice is "not of God". This is despite the fact that New Testament writings indicate that Jesus instructed his disciples to "meditate".
The greatest barrier I had to discovering my spiritual nature was all the religious doctrine, dogma, rituals, myths, reverence for symbols, objects and certain people, and doctrines about deities and afterlife that I had been brainwashed with from infancy onwards. However, once I severed the chains of religion I quickly learned how to meditate.
I'm an extremely spiritual person, who does not believe in a Supreme being and who has utterly rejected the doctrine, dogma and all the accouterments of institutionalized religion.
I believe ONLY in what I personally experience. My personal experience is that once individuality, personality, and ego are entirely extinguished via meditation, I experience -- pure consciousness.
In other words, what I experience is that when I meditate and all the things associated with the self like greed, anger, hate, etc, etc - dissolve is that there really is no self, there is no distinct being that is separate from the universal stream of pure consciousness.-
timethief,
I appreciate your taking time to reveal your beliefs!
I am a Baha'i and I abhor religious imitation based on past perversions of universal truths.
I uphold the principle of independent investigation of truth.
Also, if a person adheres to a religion that is based on imitation (which was based on imitation [which was based on imitation]) I feel they would be much better off with no religion...
-
-
timethief,
What does this sentence mean?
"I gave the new blogger weblogian instructions that other bloggers are already well aware of."-
I'm so glad to hear this:
"I am a Baha'i and I abhor religious imitation based on past perversions of universal truths. I uphold the principle of independent investigation of truth."
You also asked: What does this sentence mean?
"I gave the new blogger weblogian instructions that other bloggers are already well aware of."
It means that I told weblogian how to click a BC username, find a blog and examine what was in the blog. You see I'm a blogging tips blogger. I'm in the habit of telling new members to use the BC features as many of them don't catch onto these things themselves. This is one of my blogs onecoolsite.wordpress.com
-
-
Religion won't save us, our faith will. but it requires a correct religion to have a stronger spirituality, thus making our choices right, going to Heaven.
jbsolis.blogspot.com-
Bah! Correct religion.
-
Not all religions adhere to the concept of Heaven.
How does one know which religion is correct?
-
-
serotonin and spirituality -
Thanks for clearing up the sentence I didn't get...
Added onecoolsite.wordpress.com to my RSS Reader. -
-
I've heard that one can be spiritual and not adhere to a particular religion.
-
@MarkPogue
I think that describes me -
@ timethief
I suspect there are many more.
-
-
Spirituality may refer to the common experience behind the different points of view of religions on various doctrines and systems about the nature of one Supreme Being. It involves the recognition and acceptance of a God beyond our own intelligence and comprehension, and with whom we can have a spiritual relationship that transcends ourselves, as well as the human order of things. -
I just love.-
I am amazed this discussion hasn't died...
-
@amzolt
Best wishes to you on this fine day. 3 hours ago Tikno pulled this old thread out of the forum searchbox and dropped a link into it, even though link dropping is not allowed. Thereafter, others began to comment.
-
-
timethief,
not sure what "dropping a link" means...-
me too.
Others cannot... but... see above.
-
-
both -
ZEN...
“Zen does not confuse spirituality with thinking about God while one is peeling potatoes. Zen spirituality is just to peel the potatoes.” -
If You are talking about religion and spirits or spirituality see thegreatiam123.blogspot.com Any discussion about religion or spritituality is from within each one of us. My religion of Christianty says that the Holy Sprit lives within me and leads me in my Spiritual life with my walk with the Lord. -
Spirituality. Religion. It's all the same to me. It's just different folks attempting to touch the face of the divine in their own prescribed ways. I think perhaps that's where we're all the same.
Now, the question becomes, who's got it right and who's got it wrong? Or have we all been barking up the wrong tree? And are the atheists the only sane ones after all? -
spirituality=good, relihion = bad -
Spiritual/religious? Hard to say, myself.
I do find that along both sides of this, there can be a great and dangerous ease to fall into confusion - that is to say, the way we all, every one of us, seem to often fall into the tendency to confuse people with ideas... more specifically in this case, religion with the people who say they follow it.
Many people give their own religion a bad name.
Those who kill for instance, for their religion's "cause" - Christians who have killed, Muslims who have killed, and others, or who have committed various other crimes in the names of their gods, do so in contradiction to their own holy books - which clearly say that these things are forbidden - and so, many turn an unfavourable eye toward the religion that these people claim to follow.
This can equate to requiring a bit of work to wade through all the muck to find the truth. We have to see past the people, and listen to the idea itself on our own terms.
Like, one day I might be subject to someone rambling on and on about how they personally interpret the bible - driving me crazy, wishing I was far, far away from this Christian windbag who doesn't seem to want to let up and leave me alone. But the next day, I'll still look into the bible on my own, and be open minded enough to hear what it has to say. Or the Koran. Or the works of Buddha. Et cetera.
I guess what I mean to say here is that when looking at religion, we actually often are really looking at the religion's people when we form personal judgments about the religion. Really, in order to get any religion's message, we should ignore the people and just read the book ourselves.
Meh, maybe I'm just rambling - am I making any sense?
I guess I've written this for too long and I'm losing my point, if any ahahahaha
Too sleepy to write, anywho - late at night here, in Japan.
Okay, I'll stop - seeya later! ^_^-
I feel you made Perfect sense...
Humans do have a persistent tendency to avoid using their God-given minds and accepting some "imitation" of the Truth.
-
-
-
hehe
-
-
for me: religion is public, spirituality is private.-
Hey, that makes sense.... yeah ^_^
-
-
-
My beard thanks you!!
I signed up for a painting a day in my inbox...
Maybe my beard can get to be artistic, too.
-
-
-
Thanks for the invite!
-
-
People who are religious are usually lead by their own spirit but followers of Jesus are lead by the Holy Spirit. -
Religion and Spirituality are simply two different words describing the same thing,which all centers around what an individual believes. -
I was raised a Christian--a Southern Baptist, to narrow it down a bit. Making it "official," in accordance to their doctrines, I was "saved and baptized" when I was 7 years old.
I even pastored a small Southern Baptist church for a couple of years back in the 70's. Then our Heavenly Father became real to me, and nothing has been the same since.
By saying that He became real to me, I mean that He became so much more than just Someone I read about in His Holy Bible. For I never doubted His existence before, but there is a big difference between knowing about someone (religion) and actually knowing them (Spirituality).
In some ways, what I have experienced since our Heavenly Father personally revealed Himself to me has been absolutely wonderful. For it is good to know that the only reason why I exist is because of Him wanting me to, and there is so much more to it than just that.
In other ways, it has not been so wonderful. For the more I learn about just how perfect He truly is in all of His most awesome ways, the more I hate who I naturally am.
The worst part for me has been learning about just how exceedingly great the hardness of far too many hearts are, and this is especially true in the Christian community. For He has offered to do for many, many others (both in and out of the Christian community) what He has done for me, and most would rather cling to their religious traditions than humbly accept what He actually says is absolutely true.-
A quote for the "Hawk":
"Alas! that humanity is completely submerged in imitations and unrealities notwithstanding the truth of divine religion has ever remained the same. Superstitions have obscured the fundamental reality, the world is darkened and the light of religion is not apparent. This darkness is conducive to differences and dissensions; rites and dogmas are many and various; therefore discord has arisen among the religious systems whereas religion is for the unification of mankind. True religion is the source of love and agreement amongst men, the cause of the development of praiseworthy qualities; but the people are holding to the counterfeit and imitation, negligent of the reality which unifies; so they are bereft and deprived of the radiance of religion. They follow superstitions inherited from their fathers and ancestors. To such an extent has this prevailed that they have taken away the heavenly light of divine truth and sit in the darkness of imitations and imaginations. That which was meant to be conducive to life has become the cause of death; that which should have been an evidence of knowledge is now a proof of ignorance; that which was a factor in the sublimity of human nature has proved to be its degradation. Therefore the realm of the religionist has gradually narrowed and darkened and the sphere of the materialist has widened and advanced; for the religionist has held to imitation and counterfeit, neglecting and discarding holiness and the sacred reality of religion. When the sun sets it is the time for bats to fly. They come forth because they are creatures of the night. When the lights of religion become darkened the materialists appear. They are the bats of night. The decline of religion is their time of activity; they seek the shadows when the world is darkened and clouds have spread over it."
(Abdu'l-Baha, Baha'i World Faith - Abdu'l-Baha Section, p. 238)
-
-
I heard a guy say once, talking about the devil how that he is a spirit who yearns the adulation of mankind-his chief sin being envy of God. In order to have man's attention he gathers together a culture of rituals and philosophy and binds men and women to it enforcing strict adherance.But all these outward observances do not touch the soul, except perhaps by oppression.
God always deals with the inward man in utter simplicity and truth. Obviously whole books could be written on this huge discussion.-
A quote for the "Dove":
"The Lord of all mankind hath fashioned this human realm to be a Garden of Eden, an earthly paradise. If, as it must, it findeth the way to harmony and peace, to love and mutual trust, it will become a true abode of bliss, a place of manifold blessings and unending delights. Therein shall be revealed the excellence of humankind, therein shall the rays of the Sun of Truth shine forth on every hand.
"Remember how Adam and the others once dwelt together in Eden. No sooner, however, did a quarrel break out between Adam and Satan than they were, one and all, banished from the Garden, and this was meant as a warning to the human race, a means of telling humankind that dissension -- even with the Devil -- is the way to bitter loss. This is why, in our illumined age, God teacheth that conflicts and disputes are not allowable, not even with Satan himself.
"Gracious God! Even with such a lesson before him, how heedless is man! Still do we see his world at war from pole to pole. There is war among the religions; war among the nations; war among the peoples; war among the rulers. What a welcome change would it be, if only these black clouds would lift from off the skies of the world, so that the light of reality could be shed abroad! If only the darksome dust of this continual fighting and killing could settle forever, and the sweet winds of God's loving-kindness could blow from out the well-spring of peace. Then would this world become another world, and the earth would shine with the light of her Lord."
(Abdu'l-Baha, Selections from the Writings of Abdu'l-Baha, p. 275) -
If this is true then the Christ was the greatest sinner of all for He sure did have a dispute with Satan and St.Paul was the next great sinner for he wrestled daily, not against flesh and blood [like the American fundies do]but against principalities and powers and armies of spiritual wickedness in the high places. This is a good thread and I respect your view but respectfully disagree.
There is nothing the devil likes better than working secretly in the hearts and minds of men and women and he is busy destroying every good thing God has created, through murder, war, rebellion,drugs, destroying happiness by breaking up marriages.
He is invisible but his work is not.
Jesus said "the thief has come only to steal, to kill and to destroy you, but I am come that you might have life and that you might have it more abundantly."
Adam's problem and ours too is that he did not dispute with Satan but allowed himself to be deceived and seduced into joining Satan's rebellion, that's why he was chucked out of the garden of abundance.Bringing death and destruction, poverty and every other work of wickedness into the world.
Satan who Adam chose to believe and serve became the ruler, the prince of power in the high places. He usurped the dominion that God had given to Adam.
Jesus broke Satan's power over man at the cross because since death is the wages of sin and the Christ had no sin Christ's death became the substitutionary death for every man or woman who will now turn back to God for the forgiveness of sins, no matter how wicked they have been, there is forgiveness and new life-just be humble enough to ask God for it.
And I don't say visit this web page or watch that video, read this or that great book, I say kneel down and ask God right this minute to wash away your sins on behalf of Jesus, and then ask Him to grant you a spiritual re-birth. You will prove to your own satisfaction and great joy that this is true.
-
-
I think if you are truly spiritual then religion does not matter to you. -
www.melskiens.blogspot.com
Spirituality is "lived experience", it is more of a relationship , may it be with your God, or to a supernatural being, an Energy, or to what or whom you may call it...no religion has the monopoly of Spirituality since it is anchored on the way you live your life that gives you reason to exist. it is a Source you draw from within you. Religion, on the other hand, has something to do with your affiliation to an Institution of faith, being religious can be Spiritual but it does not necessarily mean that if you are spiritual being, you are religious. the good thing with Spirituality is that, there is no bias on it. indigenous people, communist, the primordial beings, to certain extent in thiers lives, became or indeed spiritual beings...
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SPIRITUALITY (ITS CONCEPTS, FORMS, ETC.) JUST VISIT THIS SITE: = INSTITUTE OF SPIRITUALITY IN ASIA (ISA)
www.isa.org.ph-
It's rare for me to agree 100% with someone about religion and spirituality.
Still, you've voiced very nearly exactly what I believe.
The site is very interesting, too. I've bookmarked it for later study...
-
-
That was an amazing passage, my dear Amzolt. I hope this is the beginning of a beautiful frienship between us.
-
We shall be good friends!!
-
-
For me religion is the manifestation of the divinity within every person and
spirituality is a lonely journey within one's soul.For the beginners religion to some extent help to prepare him/ her for this journey.But as the person proceed in this soul journey religion fades, he/she finally understand that the only religion that a human being should and must follow is the religion of soul and thus he/she find oneness with the whole Universe irrespective of caste ,color,race or religion. -
I am a spiritual atheist. No seriously...
Here's my take on religion:
Religion is most like a computer virus for brains. It comes complete with instructions for development and propagation of the virus, and code that prevents the person from deleting it or noticing that it doesn't conform to reality. It is orchestrated, organized, and officially sanctioned psychosis, made easily digestible and palatable to the masses.
Learn to think before you learn to believe, or you’ll soon believe that you don’t have to think. -
spirituality may outlast religions......... -
I think Religion is what you call it.
Spirituality is how you live it. -
@GerryPlanetEarth,
"Spirituality...That is sort of a vague term that is widely used...But what does it really mean ?"
The real definition of being spiritual, is to go beyond what is concrete. When you abstract a noun from singular concrete realities (eg dog or tree), that is a spiritual operation. When you induce substance (or being as being) from the same concrete and abstract reality (Harvey and man), your intellect is in a spiritual mode. -
to avoid confusion, in the above paragraph read "to go beyond concrete material realities" - ie beyond matter.
-
I feel-think religion maybe or could be a step towards truly spirituality. Because the transcendental and spiritual experience of God -the relationship and the realization- is inner, personal and intimate, untransferable; then, it is beyond the particular or collective imposed dogmas or ideas.
However, of course, we can share our beliefs, devotion and spiritual practices and exercises with others or in community, wich can be interesting, positive and joyful. Finally, we practice our spirituality with ourselves and in society, and with everything what exists.
Blessings
"Dogma is the established belief or doctrine held by a religion, ideology or any kind of organization: it is authoritative and not to be disputed, doubted or diverged from". (Taken from Wikipedia) -
excuse me!look , my unique bird "semioptera wallacei dance
Add Your Comment
Login to leave a message.
