Quote: The faith one embraces shapes and changes our lives. Theologian and philosopher Paul Tillich defined religion as “ultimate concern”—perhaps a sneaky way of suggesting that even those who profess no religion indeed have faith, if only in themselves.
Religion is a framework to a way of living life. It is a set of rules that guides its follower and owns its followers. Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Judaism, Buddhism and Jainism are some of the well-known religions of the world. Each of these religions indulge in certain practices of worship, to reach God. Whether it's idol worship or worshiping nature or worshiping scriptures, each of these religion is guideline for worshiping. They are governed by beliefs designed by sages and saints who practiced the same. These religious faith and beliefs have been formed, to some extent, by cultural conditioning. World religions have been passed on to us over generations together. They take the form of traditions and customs, which decide the way we live our lives. In totality, religion is what sets our lives in a direction, and in a large way grooms us.
What is Spirituality?
Spirituality is not bound by any rules. It does not follow any religion and neither does it adhere to any set of principles. Spirituality is the art and science of self-realization. It's a practice of knowing each part of your body. Being spiritual means awakening the very spirit of being who you are. It's means to recognize what you are made of. It can seem complex in the beginning. However, all of us are spiritual beings, it is just a matter of realizing it. Spirituality is a walk towards the ultimate goal of your life. In essence, it's your journey to find yourself. There are many schools of thought that believe in uniting with the pure mental and physical being by meditating. Meditation is focusing on breathing, which is the very reason for existence.
Both spirituality and religion aim to take an individual towards the ultimate goal of life. A religion does so by spoon feeding the individual. Religion gives the person set guidelines and asks him/her to follow. Often, religious beliefs instill fear of God in you and make you do things without questioning them. Spirituality is worship of self as it believes God resides in you and no where outside. The reasons to do so, often remain unexplained. On the other hand, spirituality is an individual experience of the encompassing effect. A spiritual person finds his own way, travels it alone and reaches there in a state of euphoria. Following a religion is doing a duty, whereas being spiritual is being who you are.
This is a Point / Counterpoint article I found on the Internet. Has some interesting points we can discuss on Wednesday Night
Religion vs Spirituality-- Pre-Round
One of the best comparisons I have ever heard concerning religion and spirituality is with religion you are in a river going to an ocean. The ocean is God. With spirituality you can just go directly to the ocean, or you are the ocean.
Religion vs Spirituality-- Round One
Religion sees God as a being that often needs to be worshiped, revered, and even feared. God is seen as a powerful being separate from each of us. Spirituality sees God as a part of everyone and everything. God is not some all powerful being that we will bow before in the future. God is in each and every one of us now, and we can learn to go inside ourselves and discover a higher part of ourselves. Spirituality teaches you to trust in the part of you that is infinite, a part of you that, believe it or not, is omnipotent- all knowing.
Religion vs Spirituality-- Round Two
Religion is very future oriented. Spirituality focuses on the now. Religion sees life as a means to get to a future utopia or paradise. Spirituality tells us the perfection is inside each of us we just have to go in and find it. The problem is our mind is controlled by our ego. Our ego keeps our mind in a turbulent state. We need to learn to silence our mind, which admittedly can be a hard task. Religion tells us our mind is in control until we one day shed our bodies. Spirituality insists we are more than our minds and in control.
Religion vs spirituality-- Round Three
Religion deals more with the external. Spirituality concentrates on the internal. Most everything that you learn about religion you learn from an external source. Usually it is either a book or another individual. Again spirituality tells us that everything we need to learn we can learn from inside ourselves. Interpretation and societal influence play a huge role in religious belief. Spirituality replaces dogma with meditation and discovery.
Religion vs Spirituality-- The Winner
For me the obvious choice is spirituality. It is not limited by any set creed or dogma. Through spirituality you can discover so many things about yourself and the universe you live in. You can free yourself from the cultural influences of the area you were born. You can free yourself from fear. You will learn that all things are possible.
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