For me religion and spirituality go together. Religion is the body, spirituality the inner life. I have stayed in my faith. I am Roman Catholic because as a very young lad I studied my faith and it doctrines and history. I am also aware of how human and frail Christians are as well -- I am of course including myself in the grouping.
I have also for most of my life developed a deep and trusting relationship with the Lord of life Jesus Christ and have felt grace and healing slowly grow in my life. The sacraments and the writings of the saints and doctors of the church are a rich combination of writings. Of course the Scriptures are essential.
Without a deep loving faith in God and a seeking of slowly understanding Jesus message, then religion becomes a hollow shell, something that can become evil and destructive. So I have no problem with religion, any religion, since I know that all of us who are on that journey grow at our own pace and have our own inner demons to deal with. Some mature early, others late in life.
Then perhaps many don't have a relationship with God, it is just something they do on Sundays, though who they are and their number I don't know, nor try to, nor judge. I have my own struggles with seeking to deepen my walk with the Lord and to also love others as Jesus says we should -- which takes a death to self on a regular basis.
People are wounded and can hurt each other, so it can be difficult to stay in a community, but I feel that is where growth is and also were we can learn to speak out and make a difference. I am not talking about cults of course, which are out there and from what I have read it is really quite easy for just about anyone to fall into one. Often people leave their parent faith and are so angry at it that they never actually get free from their past and allow it to poison their lives. Better to study, learn about the core of ones faith and then decide to leave or stay, that way there is a clean cut.
I know people of many paths, all who combine both their religion with their inner life and live balanced and wholesome lives and grow in compassion of others. They just don't get into power position for the most part, so they are often overlooked and forgotten.
Religion, secularism, theism or atheism is not the problem. The factor that links all of these paths are humans -- we are the problem. Of course there is no hope, people will continue to speak in straw man language, as if they know the truth, when in fact it only adds to the problems of our human situation.
Original sin in my faith points to this problem. It is not personal sin, but we are born into a broken world and it seems to get worse in many ways as each generation passes, though there are some good things that also come up. I also talk in straw men language from time to time, so I am not in anyway placing myself above the crowd here, no, I am in the front row, I am also part of the problem and have tried all of my life to not be. I will be dead a year before that happens.
What is your take on religion and spirituality? Do you agree that they go hand in hand? If they don't, what makes you believe that?
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Comments (10)
I do not agree they go hand in hand. Or maybe we are just thinking of different things. I think of religion more as legalistic dos and don't's. I don't like to think of myself as religious but my upbringing keeps popping back up in ways I don't expect. Now spiritualism to me, is being in tune with the spirit/God. It's feeling His love, it's showing His love, it's knowing His love. I feel that too many church goers get caught up in "religion" and lose the spirituality. Me included.
@TeamBranham@xanga - Yes I agree, but being in community is important it allows us to struggle with others on the same path without leaving. In the NT it is filled with problems even from the beginning....in the end each of can be a problem for others. Nice comment thanks.
peace
mark
Some people have not agreed with everything they've heard at church. I've met many folks like this, yet, they are still fervent believers in God, and owe their existence to him. They also believe they still have faith, and should be aware of other's pain and suffering, regardless of the difference they may share in religious belief and background. I searched long and hard to find a religion, because it is so helpful to have community worship and activity in my life, and also to be put in my place through sermons when I've gotten too high and mighty. It's a check point for me, so to speak, and also a place to find out who needs our prayers and other kinds of help. Simply being alone doesn't cut it as far as helping your religious community. To those I would simply encourage daily prayers, and an awareness of those who are hurting emotionally, spiritually, and physically, so that you may be there as a friend in need. I made a dear Catholic friend through her bringing me Avon products a couple of times a year, and she had fallen away for at least a decade. She told her mother she couldn't go back because she disagreed with some of the things they preached. Her mother, a truly dear soul, told her that they didn't go to church because they agreed with everything, or, to be entertained, but to be part of a community of Christ, and serve him in social justice and fellow ship. She has since returned with her small child she's raising alone, and has discovered much more meaning in life. So, if we look for it, I think we'll find both religion and spirituality. This wasn't a post trumping one religion. Just some personal thoughts. And the social justice that group has provided for my buddhist daughter without asking her personal beliefs has been mind boggling. And no, I'm not Catholic.
@Pollypinks@xanga - When alone we are infallible, don't grow, when with others we are challenged. Think you for the wise and insightful post. You know, you have a lot to offer, I wish you would share more of yourself here, you have a very deep and fresh slant on things that come from your own inner and outer struggles. I think many learn from your insights.
Peace
Mark
Mark, another sweet thank you. I grew up as a mormon girl, for 35 years, and I resent Christians dumping on other belief systems because of what I was exposed to. We could spend a year discussing the reasons that it doesn't jive with scripture, or, with what God intended for us, but the one thing I really miss is the social network. You don't go on welfare in you are in hard times, because the church is there for you, and when you are back on your feet, you put time in at the church farm, cannery, store, etc., to give back. Everyone has an assignment to check up on a few people each month and keep track of wellness, depression, children having problems, etc., so that those in the hierarchy can step in if allowed and offer help. I left the church having had spiritual witness that Christ was there for me without me working myself to death, but I've never seen other churches pull off the social aspect that I was raised with. No where. And isn't that what we are called to do? Care for one another? It always smacks me in the face during political years when people like to trash the down trodden and insists it's not their problem to care for them.
like your article. I understand what you are saying. More people need to have the inner life instead of just the shell. Deciding to have an inner life takes us beyond tradition. We make a decision to benefit from what Jesus Christ did for us, making it possible for us to have a personal relationship with our Creator. This relationship with our Creator truly makes a difference in our personal life.
@edwardsj42 - Well said, thank you.
peace
mark
I am a Christian ( non-Denomination) I am very aware of what Other religions teach, to me this is the biggest problem. Christ did not have Religion. It was Christ teachings as God in the flesh. The followers of Christ became the first Christians is what it says not Cathlics, Babtist or any other. Religion is man made. God gave us his word that we would forever have his word. The whole Bible is Gods word given through the authors. So to say you believe in Christ and he is God. Then turn around and say well I'm going to say there are lost books or its been currupted by man is saying God can't keep his word. The maker of live and everything in this world and outside of what we can even conceive? Religion takes what it wants out of the Bible and uses it to control the ignorant. This is why Most religions that are Cathlic or branched from it. Still keep you under law and say don't read the bible. You won't understand it , let me tell you what it says! When Christ says seek me and I will give you understanding. You have a personal relationship with God. Don't repent to no so called Priest their is no Hi priest today given this appointment by God. They Gave it to them selves for power and use scripture out of text to back their claims or even change it. At the same time will openly admitt the Don't believe the Bible is the word of God? They mimic Christanity just enough to draw them in and same time keeping pegen customs like Idiol worship praying to false Gods/saints . Read Gods word KJV don't let man lead you let Christ lead with the Holy Spirit.
@Camaro5 - Jesus did indeed have a religion. He was a devout Jew. The Last Supper was a celebration of the Jewish Passover.
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