Spirituality vs Religion

[QuietLunatic]

I go to church regularly and I write the bulletin every week and I'm on the parish council and all that happy crappy, and all of this is fairly new--a little over four years ago, I avoided church and a very special friend influenced me to go. ANYWAY...my point is this: before I went back to church, my relationship with God was very good. It still is. I've always had a strong spiritual streak and I've never let the church interfere with that. But sometimes you meet people who confuse the two and I don't think one necessarily is related to the other. I'm a big believer in that we each have to find and walk our own path to the Ultimate.

What's your take on it?

[britjojo]

I agree that yes, spirituality and religion/the church are two very separate things, just like ones health is separate from our daily lives. In both cases, each can effect the other, but they are not tied to each other.

In the case of spirituality, being spiritually weak can lead to your leaving your church. Equally you can be spiritually strong without ever becoming a member of a church.

However I do disagree with you that we can take our own path. I believe that the bible lays out very clearly what is required of us to stay in favour, and that part of that is by going to church.

[QuietLunatic]

But the Bible says to follow Christ, not the church. I don't know about your church, but I see a lot of people in my congregation who are more concerned about the Church's rules than what Christ taught and that drives me up the wall. However, if that is how they feel they need to worship, I can't force them to do it my way. We're back to we each have to follow our own specific path. God has a plan for each of us and I can't make you worship exactly like me because you're not me and I don't know what God wants of you. I have to listen to what He wants of me and hope I follow His directions. Be nice if he'd just send a nice clear email. :)

[james]

But the Bible says to follow Christ, not the church.

That is a different idea from each person finding his or her way to the Ultimate. Following Christ as the only way to the Father means that those that reject Christ - for example Muslims - are rejecting the Father.

[hazephase]

some of the biggest problems it that a group of people try to control the rest of the people life should be free and not controlled by a set of rules or a book . If you feel some thing is wrong then you should do some thing about it .

[easternbrain]

@ james

I dont think I approve of your logic because when christianity says anything, it does not says it with regard to any other religion or in the context of any other faith. It just meant that you should follow christ because according to their religion he is the one you should trust.

Personally speaking I am neither a Christian or a Muslim but a Hindu where we do not have a concept of a single God. In our philosophy there are many gods and you are free to worship whomever you want to. But we have a certain code of conduct and in speaking in the spirit of our religion Hinduism is not a religion but a way of life.

[attagirl]

It is about time that someone posted something on this topic. Because as I can see there are many people who believe the way I do. That religion and spirituality are to very different things. You do not have to attend church to be spiritual. I think that spirituality is also a way of life and living that way is related to how we bring ourselfs about in life.

[ayazhusnain]

both are not diffrent from each other.

[griffin1]

I agree 100%. I was raised Catholic but am no longer considered 'practicing'. I do not attend church but I feel I have a good relationship with God. I do not think you have to belong to an organized religion to be a spiritual person or have a good relationship with your God.

[jr_sci]

I totally agree with you. We can meet God by following any religion. God should be in our heart rather than searching for him.