Religion breeds division and intolerance. Spirituality encourages tolerance and peace
Religion is bullshit.
Because it involves my own personal relationship with Jesus Christ, instead of simply following the guidelines of a religon
Spirituality may incorporate a belief in a deity but I feel it also is an indication of a type of person and a relationship to everything around them in a positive way
Spirituality runs deep into the soul of a person..... there is love,acceptance,an inner glow, warmth, a sense of peace that exudes from a truly spiritual person....there is kindness towards others...patience.... not so much with religious persons whose primary objective is to push their beliefs on others....they are angry and hostile towards those who do not share their worldview which too many claim to be the "only truth."
Spiritualism is an inner power and individual connection to God. Religion is an outward expression of beliefs and not necessarily an indidual spiritual connection to God.
spirituality involves an inner search for a meaningful connection to a higher power and, IMHO, requires far greater self honesty and self searching. Sprituality will involve individual experience with that higher power and does not grow by what other individuals or a religion preaches as truth. Increased levels of consciousness for the individual potentially have a greater chance for truth through a spiritual outlook rather than a religious organization/membership.
at the end of the day we are all different.. and we cone to the Divine differently
Because I am a very spiritual person. I do not belong to any religious organizations, because they believe different than I do, and preach things I do not believe in.
I care more about my own beliefs and spirituality, than I do a "group."
I believe in God differently than religion does. There are so many reasons that I do not belong to any "religion." I do not believe in the "devil" or a "****". I think that if you do believe in the "devil" and "****", then you make God's UNCONDITIONAL love, "conditional".
I also have a problem believing in the bible. I KNOW God, the creator of the universe and all that exists, did not appoint any one person, or group of people to write a book of laws and rules, for mankind to live by.
I also see no need for a "savior", because I believe we are ALL literally a Part of God, and it is automatic, that when our human body dies, our souls return to God.
I believe the bible is a book of myths, and stories written over thousands of years by "hearsay". Most writers of the books, that make up the bible, never KNEW "jesus". Jesus might have been a wisdom "teacher" but he was not a "savior". There was not EVER anything written about "Jesus' life, while he was alive. Nothing. And I do not believe that God, our all-powerful, all-loving Creator, ever would need a "savior". We all go back to where we came from, when our human body dies, automatically.
because it starts with you
12 Years
Sober
Spirituality is the experience of living in the divine. In a religious setting, while each person may subscribe to the same set of rules, each interprets them differently; usually to their own benefit. Where as in a spiritual setting, each person may practice differently, all are working towards the same divine goal.
There is being & non-being. consciousness is the ultimate creation in the universe. This allows us to ponder the wonder of it all before we return.
Spirituality is examining ones own self. Figuring out your own soul. Who you want to be and what you have that others can benefit from. To get rewarded spiritualy, you must give until they understand. Thier enlightenment is your reward. God is the controller and guide of all the souls. Religion seems to be to me more like a business. Collecting money, and pushing the cattle through to heaven with sometimes no enlightenment.
I belive we are born with a spiritual connection with God, But we are taugh religion according to our geographical environment.
Religious people seek a relationship based on taught practices by a group who thus claim to be the mediator between man and deity.
Spirituality is a person who is searching for an individual relationship with his / her God.
Spirituality is personal while religion is organization
It is good to be part of a religion but also there are many different ways and different beliefs. It is good to explore them all as you get to know who you are as a individual. Even though being a part of a group is great no one will truly know you other than you.
deeper, individual, searching
I found spirituality through 46 years of sobriety.
Spirituality for me is an inner peace
No need for an explanation
Well I believe that it is important to connect to the universe on a higher level, every aspect of life itself is connected to the universe.
It develop a person internally. To enter into religion one must be internally clean developed.
spirituality is an inward drive- to know yourself. maintained for the individual's sake. pure. true. genuine. for those seeking understanding; searching inwardly for enlightenment to illuminate darkness so that peace, respect and balance would lead to happy, healthy contentment for all life. Understanding acquired navigates one through the ambiguity of happiness in life like a beacon. Detachment can lead to freedom from pain allowing one to experience serenity, gladness. Beatitude and blessedness develop from within.
religion. is driven by things or ideas outside of the mind- how one is perceived in a community. maintained for the sake of one's image. weighed. measured. judged. for those seeking a place in their world; needing somewhere to put trust, faith, so that the weight of obligation (to the good of the world) and fear is not an overwhelming burden to be carried throughout life. Guilt associated with shortcomings or rule-breaking can be enormously damaging. Absolute truth leads to a black-and-white outlook which breeds judgment, intolerance, entitlement. The idea of being saved or requiring salvation is indebted.
It describes people who have been through ****, not the ones who go to church to stay out of ****.
Each person has a right to be selfish when it comes to their enlightenment and salvation.
Spirituality is a higher expression of religious beliefs. Religion depends upon external factors like spiritual directors and scripture. Spirituality depends upon personal experience of a higher power; scripture or spiritual directors may frame or explain this experience. But the experience itself defines conduct and belief.
Spirituality is about self discovery and how you, as an individual, can can make a positive impact on the world. This is a central component to finding true personal happiness. A religion or other cultural groups may help a person find this, but ultimately it is an individual search as we are alone inside our heads with our own personal narrator.
Spirituality is more important because it helps you become more aware of yourself and doesn't put your fate in someone else's hands. In religion, the perception of "God" is that he is more than us, better than us and we can only gain strength and wisdom from his word. But spirituality helps us focus on ourselves while still having faith in something bigger than us. It teaches us that we make our own choices and not to rely on "God" to save us.
Thank you,
~ :)
I believe in a greater power that binds all human despite of any labels set forth in books like the bible
Searching rather than accepting the dogmas of others.
It is private, and therefore I do not have to be in a church, synagogue, or any other place of worship to connect with the Higher Being or He(the Name). I can be with this Being whether I am on a long boat ride to America in the North Pacific from Japan or simply sitting in my own comfortable room. I do not fight other people because of religion nor sees myself superior over anyone. The relationship is strictly that between me and the God in which I looked up to and worship. Religion can be effective for other folks to find that inner spiritual with God but is not guaranteed. However, Spirituality may not find that particular search in the form of Religion either.
It is the spirit that should be connected to the Lord, the religion satifies the flesh.
The relationship that is established is between the individual and God is personal. Religion is more of a group participation in oppose to an individual inner quest.
Spirituality is about a knowing or feeling the surrounding permeating Prescence of an All Loving God. Religion at its best is a way to Spirituality or expressing Gratitude to God with others; at its worst - control of men by other men.
wdont always have the assistance of others in our quest or walk of faith. we must wholey rely on our spiritual connection to move us to the place where we are useful too otherws in need of what we have too offer the world we live in.
It's more about the individual. Everyone has different experiences and trials so what they use to stay strong should vary.
Less hypocrisy. Greater flexibility. More emphasis on why an action is initiated and more concern with it's implications and consequences.
I am a recovering alcoholic who has been sober 13 years by following certain spiritual principles.
religion is controlled, spirituality is freedom to chose.
Religion states that God did his presence with Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ did his part for us then it's our turn To feel our spirits with good and make that good make others feel good.mnotmreqlly sure if that makes sense
I think people should do good, because they want to aka spirituality. Most religions have rewards for being a good person and also some try to recruit or shame others. I'll stick with spirituality.
Once you confine your self to any religion you have then began your own personal enslavement.
I feel that my relationship with my higher power is more of a personal relationship. I feel that my higher power resides inside of me. I do not feel a need for a brick & mortar building, nor do I wish to place my faith in the hands of religious teachers. I firmly believe that my body is my temple, and that my higher power hears & guides me.
You learn the truth through god speaking to you.
to me this one is claiming the oneness of spirit me with the universal spirit i call god, but the religion seems to separate me from god, making god to be a foreign and strange somebody i have to work hard to be with him one day or not to be with him if i have not meet the set criteria. tht is what i can say in short.
There is more growth of consciousness going beyond the boundary of religions.
I have spent more time alone in all my life-times and always inwardly and consciously had a relationship with three supreme authorities=
The Father of all creation,The Mother Spirit called Wisdom she is also called The Holy-Spirit; I also have a special relationship with MichaEl The Great Arch Angel,so that's my Spiritual connection and life-style coincides with my spiritual life I like more veggies and fruit than eating flesh.
I desire to dress differently than most women, and I remember how I dressed in each life-time that I had previously lived; plus I remember some of the events that in some of my past two lives. amanyah4yah@ Gmail.com
A religiously addicted person can present as a deformed personality, whereas a deeply spiritual person may often present as an ever more calm, accepting, serene, resolve.
Religion connects people--important to a human's development, growth, life.
Spirituality centers a person, wether within themselves or around a focal point that is a higher being, such as God. Centeredness often enables a person to be more stable and well-grounded as well as able to make important connections with other people.
Education in Self, and the view of religion as a whole in society!
Following and exploring inner self, and realizing the connection of all things from the spark of life to the vastness of the universe, and how everything both seen and unseen is derived from a supreme conscientiousness.
religion advocates pack mentality. spirituality is deeper and more personal.
its personal, and its free
Spirituality is transformational whereas religion is often more about information which can soon be forgotten. Transformation is generally a permanent or long lasting state. Religion often fosters judgment whereas spirituality fosters hospitality, community, compassion and many other fruits of the spirit.
No cosmic guilt trip required!
spirituality allows the individual to define their own definition of a higher power rather than the structured way of organized religion…thus spirituality accepts all beliefs and welcomes differences of opinions whereas religions message is" my way or the highway". ….one promotes peace and acceptance…the other is like an ox with a yoke(very stiff and structured….not allowing freedom of individual thought or expression)…spirituality likes integration of humanity which leads to peace whereas organized religion likes to be segregated and dislikes anyone that disagrees with their opinions and dogmas
cuz I can
As an individual who has elements of both within me I feel the spiritual side most important. I am a new testament Christian and in general I feel that most religious people have lost their connection with the real message of Christ. It may be that there are too many people of religion who are lacking the spirituality I would say is needed to live a Godly life.
It involves having a personal relationship with God on a spiritual level. A higher belief in life after death. Belief that when we die we are spirit souls.
Religion is the external trappings. Sprituality is the deep interconnectedness with all that God has made.
this make u to live the values in the earth and connected yourself to the high power where we come from
Blip
Spirituality is an individual's decision to work on an inner peace and a deeper level connection with the universe and its energy.
It does not rely as heavy on human beings to lead you to the truth and requires much more soul searching and thinking. It makes you connect the dots of everything in the universe and frees your thinking beyond the elements of time and physicality. It allows you to experience different levels of knowing based on your thoughts and inner drive as opposed to memorization and conformity without thought
Because, in my opinion, religions have expectations, control, and "secretes" that are in contradiction to the god given choices that are ours by the privilige of being.
I have always believed that you must find God from within, not from without. Spirituality is at the core of your individual belief, without it religion is just a social practice with no real meaning.
connection to the elements, humans, and organisms
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I had a christian scientist father and catholic mother. I have been Lutheran, baptist etc. All of these influences have lead me to realize that I am not religious but rather spiritual. I prefer to take my own journey which does not rely on particular groups or their teaching. I enjoy experiencing God through nature. I don't need organized rituals to connected.
because I am not bound by idealogical viewpoints and the pursuing lifestyle of being spiritual. I was raised Southern Baptist but even as a child, something just simply did not sit right with me. There is right and there is wrong and the bible offers many instances where people were coerced into behaving or believing as what as commanded to them by those in "authority." I believe in free will and choice so I should not be made to believe in something I don't simply to satisfy others.
Listen to your heart, it will tell you what you need and then you will KNOW.
Religion is merely heretical with myriads of rules and rituals which does not necessarily make there adherents any better, otherwise they breed fanatics and worshipers of personalities paying mere lip service to a particular god, but inwardly developed, check out what is going in the world today, religion is already tearing the world apart, causing mayhem around the world.
I am Spiritualist, social crusader and holistic healer, and i renounced in totality all forms of organized relgions, since i quit norminal religions i have been freer and more enlightened, 'cause am dead to '**** fire, damnation, al-jana, and all the sort.
Spirituality is a way to self realization and universal awareness.
Peace around the world!
Oba Ela of Ela Spiritual Kingdom Ileas - Nigeria
Religion without spirituality is hypocritical, much in the way the pharisees are. Without a personal connection to one's God, all the religious observances have no importance or affect on anything.
As a person who believes in god, I believe that spirituality is important because it coincides with being free as a person. There is nothing wrong with religious beliefs, but getting too wrapped up around religious beliefs can be stressful to certain individuals.
We are all born spiritual.religion is man made. God/ higher power is always the same.
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I don't like to spend so much time with rituals, which my Catholic Church advocates. To me, it is too much time wasted, where as that time could be better spent with good works and practics and finding spiritual growth and life meaning.
sprtuality is about relationship with ones creatior and them self not about an outward religon involving rituals.
Spirituality has a different meaning for everyone it's associated with an inner search for enlightenment similar to trying to reach self actualization
I believe you have to develop your own system of beliefs and path that suits your individual needs. One can be a part of a religion and not really know why, know what the group is all about
It is important to find out who you are before you commit to a group. Not knowing your purpose can lead to an early reckoning...
I used to be religious. I attended church on a regular basis. I was involved in group activities sponsored by the church. Then, gradually I became aware that the people who were the most religious were also the most critical and judgemental. I didn't want to be around those people. I quit going to church, and I started reachering things that helped me grow spiritually.
religion has brought much hatred for thousands of years
I find that religion is a form of slavery and crowd control. To me all sorts of atrocities have occurred in the name of religion. Love, tolerance, and Patience is what religious people say they stand for however I rarely see them practice. I believe god is in all of us and has nothing to do with Jesus. I find that when I express my views I get flack from everywhere just because I don't believe as they do, they judge me and look down on me like I'm not equal, that I am less than. I have had family members tell me I wouldn't see my mom again who recently passed if I didn't accept Jesus Christ as my savior. I refuse to change my beliefs to make other people happy. So what about the people in lets say a part if the world that was never introduced to Jesus, even though they was a great person, lived a life of helping others, respected everyone, just because the way they were raised, they are going to ****. That's ridiculous
Because it is who I am.
Spirituality is about the growth of the individual, and focuses on improving and enlightening the self, whereas religion is a set of principles and ideologies determined by someone else for others to follow, and is focused on following instead of leading ones own growth.
Spirituality is more important because spirituality involves your spirit which is your energy. Spirituality comes from you choosing to listen to your inner self and to act accordingly. Your spirit is free and not bound to rules set by another individual.
As written Spirituality is about the inner self finding enlightenment within you. On the other hand religion is more about following a set of rules and carrying out certain practices/traditions to show respect to your God. However in my opinion although religion supplies a set of values enabling you to live a righteous life why should we bound ourself by that to show respect to a God? Surely we should thrive to live a righteous life by finding peace within and connecting with yourself as this would help your life overall. Having said that I do feel a combination of both religion and spirituality is great as religion supplies us with the values and morals and spirituality is putting those morals and values into action. If I had to choose I would choose spirituality 😊
To have connection within your inner self than to what others have and to see life in their perspectives you can find and build up your own and to see life for yourself. and having a chance to see the beauty of life around you.
I'm on the journey of enlightenment and I love it. want to learn more and feel all of the joy this brings-Kathy 2016
Spirituality as an introspective device is more appealing to me than prescribing to a supernatural being or belief. No one else can fully understand my innermost emotions and secret thoughts than myself as well as my present state of mind and life experiences that shape it.
idk lol
I feel like if you're not following your forefathers belief systems then you are in some how spiritual. For me to become a member of a religious group I have to have my own certain amount of spiritual awakening. I must feel a connection to someone or something if I'm attracted to it.
If one does not have strongly held spiritual beliefs, then religion is just going through the motions. Religion can and often does provide a framework and group of fellow believers that strengthen already held beliefs.
Religious sects tend to divide, anchored in their own liturgical practices.
Spirituality is all-accepting.
Sense of the Unique apart from the Herd. Intuition and ones Inner Sight is different for different people. A Universal Religion is a Broad Brush approach.
I have been in a "organized" religion. And there is nothing organized about it. They teach one thing, but do another. There is no proof that the Bible is a "real" testimonial of any religion. I feel it is a book changed and re-written to suppress some and to elevate another. Even the Book of Mormon so people say is a testimonial of a religion. Prove it to me. Spirituality is what is in your heart and soul. It is not someone else's interpretation of what you should belive but what you feel is important to you as an individual. It is your own "religion", not someone that told you what is important to know and understand.
One may profess to believe in God, know that Jesus died for our sins and acknowledge the existence of the Holy Spirit but,this is head knowledge. To become Spiritual One must accept Jesus Christ into their hearts and love Him with their whole heart mind and body and placing their faith and trust in Him, strive to follow His teachings and intend to live a new life in Him.
its communicable and obtainable for everyone; no persecution or judgement for finding the key to happiness or the meaning to your life
Spirituality enhances a person, religion destroys a person.
It's what I believe.
Religion is an organized system of belief and in order for it to succeed, each member of that system of belief needs spirituality to find the true meaning of that religion.
I consider myself a spiritual person although I was raised in the Catholic Church. Over time I found I had a better relationshipship with Jesus without the organized church going. I read my Bible, follow the 10 Commandments and try to be the best person I can everyday. I pray daily and I volunteer in my community with my therapy dog weekly which brings me a lot of joy. I know a lot of church goers who are not nice people.
There is goodness and truth in all peoples, churches, and religions. They should all be respected, and never denigrated.
I agree with the article, saying that spirituality is much more personal. It's the individual's journey to discovering themselves - it's not so much about being told what to do like religion (and if you don't do it, you'll receive punishment), but rather discovering for yourself the best way to do things. It's about nurturing yourself, being grateful for mother earth and fellow man, helping others. It's not about telling people what to do or inciting fear and hate from people different from you. Love trumps hate!
It simply encompass all individuals,period.
I am a human being, not a sheep, a fish or a sinner.
Spirituality focuses more on the individual. It involves finding one's own path to enlightenment.
I feel like religion keeps you blocked in and spiritualty allows you to be free and go from within.
i have chosen spirituality over religion because, it allows more freedom and less condemning of a person for their sins. in fact, through my own experiences i have found through spiritual practices i have became a better person over all and less judgemental on others and myself. it is ( for me ) a more fulfilling life to live through my spirituality than to wobble on rules of religion
Having a spiritual relationship with God is more important than simply carrying out religious rituals without any connection to spirituality.
Spirituality more closely and completely defines my lived experience than religious even though I have been a member of one or other religion or religious group all of my life. It is also more descriptive of whom I am as a sentient human being.
IT'S A SIMPLY ANSWER! YESHUA(JESUS)WAS SPIRITUAL, NOT RELIGIOUS! AND, THANK "HIM"!
I believe everyone have their own inner personal spiritual journey
Spirituality is present in all religions. The member (or observer) is free to choose the path that is comfortable for him/her.
After attending numerous churches of different faith, I didn't find satisfaction with the service and sometimes the manner of preaching. This happened over a long period of time... always searching for a satisfactory result. In the past few years, I find spirituality a more satisfying way for my situation.
While it's important to have a faith, sometimes religion may limit a person's spiritual growth.
Spirituality is not as confining and judgmental as religion, and is inclusive of man nature and God.
Self guidance for the sake of your own good and others that you come in contact with.
Many religions are exclusionary towards others whose belief system does not align with theirs. Specific examples are Protestants and Catholics, both requiring a specific path. Each can be subdivided into specific denominations; Protestant: i.e. Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopalian, Baptist (which is further divided, Calvary, 1st, 2nd) and Catholic: Jesuit, Franciscan, Dominicans, etc. The same can be said of Judaism, Islam, etc. Spirituality transcends the religious order and is a path to enlightenment. One can be used to achieve the other in the case of religion, but not the other way around.
All Yeshua said was to believe in him and he will grant you eternal life. you don't need to be part of an organization to believe in the most high. He is the only black Hebrew King who reigns over all. Shout out to the black people who are a part of the lost tribe.
Organized religion is a mixture of truth and mythology,designed to prevent us from discovering that we are GODS temporally experiencing life on this plane of consciousness. However, we believe our selves to be the ego, which in truth is Satin of the bible and Maya of the Buddha religion. Hence, many religions lead to fear and violence because of differences in beliefs.
I believe religion divides while spirituality unites. Most religions say they are the only way which causes division in humanity. Been a big problem for centuries.
spirituality is a direct connection to god. Religion is how you worship god and is man made.
I have found my own version of spirituality in lieu of organized religion, which I have discarded.
It is about you and the Higher Power, God of you will, not a religious belief taught to you.
Religion is based on the interpretations and leadership of man regarding diety. Spirituality is based on the individual finding their own path to self realization and self-improvement.
ONE
ALL1
ALL1LOVE
Personal enlightenment is more important the belonging to a group of people that share your personal beliefs.
a concept everyone can fit under no matter how they choose to better their life or feel connected to a higher power
Many years ago I learned that Religion was man's attempt to make GOD into his(man's image) and Spirituality was man's attempt to know GOD. I seek to know GOD. Jesus is purported to have said: "I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me" I seek TRUTH. I also remember a parable about an old wise man and a young man who sought to learn wisdom. The young man followed the wise old man everywhere, beseeching him at every change to teach him WISDOM. One day they came to a river and started to wade across, the young man, as usual, beseeching to be taught wisdom. The wise sage grabbed the young man and held him under the water until he almost drowned for lack of breathing. The wise man then brought the young man up and said:"As hard as you fought and sought that breath of air to live is the same effort you must expend to learn wisdom" I also was taught that knowledge without wisdom is folly. I seek/sought Truth and "in the folly of my youth, I prayed dear GOD show me the truth, If I'd known then what I now know, I'd not have had the courage to walk that road"
I believe that "spirituality" is more important than belonging to an organized "religion!" I was born and raised Irish Roman Catholic! I was married, divorced and raised two sons in the Methodist Church!! Since my divorce, I have sought to become more spiritual, and less religious. I have been very much turned off by the politics and hypocrisy, of organized religions!!
I would rather have a deep spiritual connection and not identify with a religion, tahn claim to be religious without feeling a spiritual connection.
cuz. there is only one GOD and we dumb human beings have given different forms for which we fight insanely against our own fellow-humans
The search for spirit is always personal therefore, it can't be governed by an organized set of rules and rituals.
Religion separates people The spiritual aspect puts one closer to God because God is a spiritual being not a religious tradition which limits true growth
I believe the evidence is clear that the universe is organized and must have been created by some intelligent force. I do not believe in the so-called "supernatural," rather that there are natural laws that we have yet (and may never) fully understand. I view organized religion, at least today, much like a business - that derives great wealth by getting people to accept a certain dogma.
gaming time
The God spark is within each human heart and our connection to prime creator is to connect via our heart.
Religion can cause one to get caught up in tradition and becomes complacent, however, spirituality leads a person to become closer in a relationship with the creator by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you on your spiritual journey through life. You can’t go wrong on that.
spirituality is personal
