Ramana offered this weeks topic. Religion vs. spirituality.
Religions are all "isms" and as such tend to think of themselves as the one true religion. Their leadership may pay lip service to other religions but behind closed doors they all think of themselves as the only real way to whichever God or Gods they worship. While Christianity has many different "sects" they are essentially all either Catholic or Protestant. Martin Luther spurred the creation of Protestant sects when he broke from the Roman Catholic church over his disagreements with several practices and teachings therein. And then apparently God was frustrated and pressed the reset button and created the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - a church that is considered by its followers to be the restoration of the original church founded by Jesus Christ (and in the spirit of full disclosure the church into which I was baptized). Of course all Christian based religions owe a debt of gratitude and dogma to Judaism and its 10 Commandments. Of course the religion most often in the news lately is Islam.
What do they all have in common? A specific set of rules and dogma that one must follow to reach the promised land. The rules are mostly established by the management team of the religion. Of course that is not what they are called. They use names like Apostles, Pope, bishops and the like.Did you ever wonder why Catholics ate fish on Fridays? Why Mormons do not drink alcohol?
Religions include many spiritual people. One might even say all religious people think they are spiritual. But not all spiritual people are religious. Therein lies the difference.
My late friend Pete Dintino was a devout Seventh Day Adventist. We had many discussions about religion. He always considered me one of he most spiritual people he knew yet he fully understood my distrust of and dislike of religion.
Quite the opposite of religion, spirituality is a broad concept with room for
many perspectives. In general, it includes a sense of connection to
something bigger than ourselves, and it typically involves a search for
meaning in life. As such, it is a universal human experience—something
that touches us all. I wish I knew who said it that way but the quote I found in Google lists no author.
Spirituality means different things to different people. Atheists can be spiritual beings. Their spirituality is just not directed at nor referencing any god. A spiritual awakening is a very
individual experience.
I grew up in Colorado - John Denver's song resonated with me the first time I heard it. I have seen the things of which he sings. I know there is a bigger picture than just me. I think 'ol Tom Jefferson may have gotten it right. Check out the Jefferson Bible. Then again,
Check what my cohorts have to say. Ramana Pravin
Way to go Shackman. We are on the same page. I somehow knew that it will be so. And great songs to choose for the topic.
ReplyDeletesitting here with chills listening to leonard cohen.
ReplyDeleteand still loving john denver.
you nailed it dearest shackman.
sending your post to the marine. it could have been written by himself.