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Very different... but there can be some overlap, like a Venn diagram.What do you think might be a difference between religion and spirituality? Or do you think they are the same thing?
Agree, a co-worker of mine and I were having a conversation about this. He was very much into his religion... even had an internet blog... was a Christian youth leader. However, a few years ago, he had a bit of an epiphany of sorts, and realized he was simply "going through the motions" and despite being immersed in his religion, realized he and many others were of the same mind. Their critical thinking and self-questioning had come to the conclusion that in some cases, they may have been living a lie. I am not at all a religious person, but it was difficult for me to listen to this conversation and not feel a bit sad for him... he almost seemed a bit bitter. I just wanted him to know that he can still be a good and kind soul, that he can still be spiritual and be aware of what consciousness is, that there can still be "something else" out there beyond that of the physical world.Or, I suppose, sometimes a codified religion can be created without first having spiritual feelings, in which case the "religion" would be a secular construction without actual spirituality.
I've not thought about it much anymore nor in a very long time, but I think that religion does its best job when it encourages and focuses upon having the membership turn inward to find personal and individual truth within. Jesus was to have said, "The Kingdom of God is within you." When religion turns the membership inward, it links itself to spirituality. Religious dogma and liturgy turned inward to the Kingdom within one's person is what religion should be doing.What do you think might be a difference between religion and spirituality? Or do you think they are the same thing?
Hi Neonatal RRT, I was reading this about someone you know and thinking whether they had a breakdown in life generally and not just religious. Some kind of crisis that people can get, it can be so hard if it involves someone's faith as well when that happens. Those mid life crisis can be awful and take you in unawares. I doubt the faith was the cause and if so may be they needed to tune something.Agree, a co-worker of mine and I were having a conversation about this. He was very much into his religion... even had an internet blog... was a Christian youth leader. However, a few years ago, he had a bit of an epiphany of sorts, and realized he was simply "going through the motions" and despite being immersed in his religion, realized he and many others were of the same mind. Their critical thinking and self-questioning had come to the conclusion that in some cases, they may have been living a lie. I am not at all a religious person, but it was difficult for me to listen to this conversation and not feel a bit sad for him... he almost seemed a bit bitter. I just wanted him to know that he can still be a good and kind soul, that he can still be spiritual and be aware of what consciousness is, that there can still be "something else" out there beyond that of the physical world.
I know this person pretty well and I've known him for years... and in this case, things in general seemed to be going well. Although, having a son with autism... and then later discovering he was gay might have been a contributing factor. Some Christian churches still have an "anti-gay" stance and are not welcoming in this regard. I can only guess at this point, but seemed to be along a similar timeline. The conversation we had seemed to stem from questions like, "Why do I believe in God?", "Why am I a Christian?", combined with his rather "independent thinker" mindset. He was sensing that he was "walking and talking" the Christian faith on the outside, but still was not able to reconcile all the questions he had on the inside.Hi Neonatal RRT, I was reading this about someone you know and thinking whether they had a breakdown in life generally and not just religious. Some kind of crisis that people can get, it can be so hard if it involves someone's faith as well when that happens. Those mid life crisis can be awful and take you in unawares. I doubt the faith was the cause and if so may be they needed to tune something.
Me too. I don't really talk about these topics with people, as I have little interest in them. I respect that faith is important for some people and I see what it means for them, but I'm not inclined to be religious myself. Religion doesn't fulfil any purpose for me personally. Especially organised religion and a rigid set of rules that come with it. Spirituality might resonate more with me, but still, I'm not what one would describe as a "spiritual person", I just don't feel the need for it.I'm not religious and I never understood the term Spirituality. I've heard people describe me as being very grounded, not sure I understand that comment either.