RELIGION VS. SPIRITUALITY - You are a child of the universe!

Those that do not include religion as part of their belief system, have many reasons to feel as they do.

The official list of reasons is very long, and includes – the antiquated customs, the restrictiveness, perceived omnipotence, the use of guilt and fear, the outdated notions; also that much of religion conflicts with science, that it’s used as a tool for control, its many limitations and tortures of women – and it’s a very much longer list than this.

If the worldwide molestation of children by the Catholic church is not enough to inject skepticism into your soul about the institution of religion, then the systemic annihilation of the indigenous children in the nation of Canada by the Catholic church, should.

Taken from a published definition, religion is describes as, ‘an abstraction which entails beliefs, doctrines and sacred places’.

For all its good, I believe less in religion, and more in spirituality.

By definition, spirituality involves the recognition of a feeling or sense or belief that there is something greater than one’s self… That there’s something more to being human than sensory experience, and that the greater whole of which we are all a part, is cosmic or divine in nature.

It is an opening of the heart... the quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.

This concept suites me.

And considering that God’s work seems to more readily fit under the definition of spirituality, it makes more sense to me to focus our attentions there.

I believe that intelligent deities would be more focused on concerns of the human soul, than they would be about doctrines and sacred places.

I am a protestant presbyterian buddhist.

I practice spirituality, and a zen focus.

I pray that my body and mind align with the universe.

I pray to know and understand, and I pray to learn and improve.

I pray to know the love of the Lord.

I pray to do the work of the Lord and of God.

I pray to Mary for guidance.

I pray to the saints for favor.

I pray to those departed for protection.

I pray to know prosperity, fulfillment, and divine joy before I die.

Religion seems to give us sanctity on Sundays.

Spirituality is more holistic.

It is much easier to stray from your religious beliefs, than it is to stray from your spiritual beliefs.