do you agree??
By rainsong7
@rainsong7 (124)
Canada
10 responses
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I like that! and I agree with it too actually...religion is definately for the fearful..being spiritual though (which I am) is IMO for ppl who have conquered their fears and demons or are in the process of doing so.....I know in my experience, conquering my demons put life in a whole new light for me and it was the beginning of that healing road that also put me on my spiritual path....
2 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
26 Mar 07
You have described my feelings and I am enjoying the walk along the path in ways I never knew were possible.
@rainsong7 (124)
• Canada
13 Mar 07
well said ravenlady...very much in line with what i found to be true in my life also..thnx
1 person likes this
@jeremyho (26)
• Singapore
26 Mar 07
Religion is definitely fear based. Apparently, God said that if you do not behave yourself and prove yourself worthy, you will go to hell. Hmmmm, I wonder whether hell actually exists in the first place or is just a man made concept? Is it not possible that hell is simply a description of our spiritual state?
In fact, if one has the courage to break free from religion and explore alternatives (which many religions discourage because it will be a threat to their power and control), the irony is that it actually lets you gain a deeper understanding of your religion (for better or for worse).
When one is spiritual, one recognises that the external personality is just a facade. If you work on your inner self, you will learn to appreciate life more (with eyes wide open) and this actually brings you closer to the higher being. In short, you do not need religion to get to God. If a person has explored alternatives and chooses to go back to their religion, then that's cool. I have an issue with people who claim that their religion is the one and only true religion and say that spirituality is bad. They have no right to make that kind of statement because their religion is all they know. I always pose these religious people a question: "Is your faith so weak that it cannot even withstand a bit of scrutiny and exploration?" And these same people claim to be strong in their faith when in reality, they are afraid that they will go to hell if they even for a moment entertain 'alternative thoughts'.
Having said all this, at the end of the day, nothing really matters (from an absolute point of view). One just has to choose.
@catcai (1056)
• Philippines
13 Mar 07
This is kind of difficult for me, i really don't know the difference between the two- but in my own opinion, please do correct me if you think i misunderstood the phrase.
I think that religion, is just something that we go by in our daily lives as it has been a part of our culture too, its like a requirement? or maybe a guarantee that we will not go to hell when we die? and Spirituality is what is innate to you- i think a person can have or can shift into different religions and still have the same spirituality or faith in a certain entity- or a higher power for that matter? im sorry- this quote has really intrigued me, this is the first time that i heard of this, and i would really like to know more on this... I dont know if i understood it correctly though.
1 person likes this
@rainsong7 (124)
• Canada
13 Mar 07
my personal take on this quote is that following religious rules becomes the substitute for a true spiritual awakening...religion condemns and is often fear based...by religion i am not referring to any higher power but the institutions of "so called" spiritual people and religious groups in general...
@DeenaD (2684)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I can see where you are coming from. On the other hand, too much of what people call their personal "spirituality" is really just "made up" and does not serve well for much of anything in the end. It's like possessing a raw talent, but never wanting to put sacrifice and discipline into it, so it never blossoms into anything. The difference is that with this kind of "spirituality," people will elevate their lack of religious discipline to a virtue, when in reality it may just be unprincipled narcissism.
1 person likes this
@beautifulceiling (1300)
• United States
13 Mar 07
Well put! I do agree with the original poster but just any "spirituality" won't do.
2 people like this
@Wanderlaugh (1622)
• Australia
12 Mar 07
An alternative quote: "Bribed with heaven and threatened with hell." (Mine, I'm afraid.)
The question of compulsion in religion and spirituality is a very much unresolved discussion. To my way of thinking, "God at gunpoint" rather devalues God. The irony is that so many religions in history, armed with the truth as they know it, have been reduced to coercion. The spiritual branch of the mulberry bush gets just as factional and dogmatic in its own way. It just handles its PR better.
@omnithought (199)
• United States
13 Mar 07
I'd take it to a slightly different angle and say that religion is for those who think they deserve a hell.
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
26 Mar 07
I have never heard this quote before but the more I think on it how much sense it makes. My faith is very strong yet I do not care for organized religion at all.
@Zo0mZo0m (1357)
• United States
26 Mar 07
No I do not agree. I am not afraid of hell. I am afraid of the Lord God Almighty. Hell is a place that was not created for me. Hell was originally made for the devil and his imps. People are so rebellious and stubborn and reject God all the that He has no choice but to send sinners to hell.
I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour so I will altogether avoid going to hell. I reject the devil time and time again.
@Phaedra_Scythe (3325)
•
12 Mar 07
That's really interesting. I'm certainly more spiritual than religious and I have been to hell and back. I'm sure that staunchly religious people will argue the point though.
1 person likes this
