Deep structures and religion is different than spirituality

[drummer55]

A good deal of the difficulty that arises from all religions is the codified structure that defines them. This is also true of governments and most social organizations. As individuals in our daily lives we tend to be kind, forgiving and open. In groups we tend to become exclusionary, power driven and hierarchal.

My own path is that of history teacher. I believe with every fiber of my being that if we can view the history of something with unfettered eyes we can better understand why we are the way we are and we can effect change in the future.(eg. the election of 2004 a repeat of 2000 which was a repeat of earlier election problems.)

I use Christianity as my example because I grew up in western society and the Christian Religion is the one I know best. In all my postings you can replace the word Christianity with Judaism, Buddhism, Islam…etc.

Christianity isn’t any more special than any other religion on the planet. It is built on the mythologies of past religions and has been molded and shaped by political and social pressures to better serve and at the same time control the population. Karl Marx said it best “religion is the opiate of the masses” I am no fan of religion because of this. All religions share this…its their nature.

Spirituality is another story. I have met some of the most wonderful spiritual people who are followers of Jesus. My brother is a born again Christian who is the epitome of the teachings of Jesus. Our discussions are long and complex and deeply rewarding for both of us.

I believe the difference between Religion and Spirituality is fear. The truly spiritual are not afraid to question and not afraid of being questioned because it helps them to define and deepen their faith. The Religious are afraid of questions and do not entertain questions about what makes the shadows on the cave wall.

Most of the anger that comes from these discussions about Christianity and other Religions is the lack of examination of our core beliefs and where they come from. If we have never examined our beliefs, we don't really recognize their impact on our feelings. If someone questions our beliefs, for example, we may get angry. We may mistakenly think that they caused us to get angry by their impertinence. What we don't realize is that we are actually afraid of our belief being shattered.

Dont be afraid to pick up a history book and find out where you come from. It should not take away your faith to see that core structures of your belief today were being practiced and created 3 or 4 thousands years ago in different time with a different God that in turn was changed again and again. It should do the opposite and move you to greater depths of beliefs.

Anais Nin said it best "When we blindly adopt a religion, a political system, a literary dogma, we become automatons. We cease to grow."

http://www.medmalexperts.com/POCM/

[osiristz]

1. My favorite is, "The true test of any religion

is that it advance the believer until they no longer need the religion."

Show me one that does today. Failing that test, they are no more than mind-controlling schools of rhetoric.

[drummer55]

3. do you know who said that?

can you get me a link for that quote? thanks

[Freedom_from_Chains]

2. The following 2 lines make up the core problems. IMO

"I believe the difference between Religion and Spirituality is fear"

"If someone questions our beliefs, for example, we may get angry. We may mistakenly think that they caused us to get angry by their impertinence. What we don't realize is that we are actually afraid of our belief being shattered."

[omega minimo]

5. The same two struck me

"The truly spiritual are not afraid to question and not afraid of being questioned because it helps them to define and deepen their faith. The Religious are afraid of questions and do not entertain questions about what makes the shadows on the cave wall."
--This is beautiful, Freedom_from_Chains

"We may mistakenly think that they caused us to get angry by their impertinence. What we don't realize is that we are actually afraid of our belief being shattered."
--The member of a cult or belief system needs other unconverted people to surrender in the same way, to validate their decision to join the club. If someone questions their belief, their choice is threatened, not validated.

[libodem]

4. Question Authority?

[lavendermist]

6. This is a very...

thoughtful post and I appreciate you taking the time to articulate the difference between having "blind faith" and being committed to a quest for spirituality. I have been saddened by a comment a relative made when she said that I "had too much "University of _ _ _ _ for my own good". There has been a distance created between us because of the religiosity in recent politics. I was raised a Southern Baptist, but beginning in the sixties with the reaction of some people I thought were very good "Christians" mapping out a way to "deal with" any "colored folk" who might come to our church, I began to question my place in this complex world and how that reconciled with the hypocrisy I was seeing. I am not a part of any organized religion at this point, but I am a spiritual person. Enough rambling. Just thanks for the post. :-)

[Tsiyu]

7. "So many gods

So many creeds
So many paths that wind and wind

When just the art of being kind is all the sad world needs."

A famous woman said that- Emma Wheeler Wilcox, methinks?