You're welcome! What I would say you've experienced is the Book of God's Works (i.e Creation), which is inherently religious. I would argue that spirituanity is an expression of religious beleifs. One can have an Environmental spirituanity where there is a concern with being stewards of Creation. what is important for spiritualities is that they are reflected by the faith. I do not think that religion and spirituanlity are separate or even opposed, but that it is impossible to be a Christian without religion and spirituality. I'd also say it is borderline impossible to be a Christian apart from community (although through the Saints, we are constantly in community of believers). But there is an inhernet good from being in a community of beleivers (edification being one).
That statement is specific to Christianity and other polytheistic creationist outlooks. I believe that religion is created by man therefore I believe there is nothing inherently religious about nature, but do I believe in a universal soul of sorts so I do see spirituality in nature. However, I understand the Christian standpoint in that God is the creator of all things and therefore also created religion. I do not think that religion should exist without spirituality, although there are people that practice religion in the traditional sense but get nothing spiritually from it. I think its entirely possible to explore ones spirituality completely separate from religion.
I agree that religion is created by men, and not God--but I doubt in the same way you do. Religion is a response, and organised response, to God's interaction in and beyond this world. Of course it is mitigated through Christianity (I had assumed this was also the perspective from which you were coming; sorry for my assumption). Religion is an organised response to God's interaction by attempting to, with our limited ability as sensually based mortals, describe who, what, and why God is and what God does and what God expects. Spirituality is also a response, but it is a more specific response than religion in general. I used the example of Environmental spirituality within Christianity. In this example, getting more specific than my last post, a person might look to the Creation accounts in Genesis (which they may or may not believe to be historically and scientifically accurate) and see that God calls us to be stewards of Creation. In this case, a person may make a social justice decision to never eat at McD's because of all the food that is wasted. Does it respect God's creation to butcher it, grind it up, and then toss it in dumpster? What does that say about what God gave to us as a gift? In a more "religious" looking spirituality, Eucharistic Adoration is a response to the response, that is the belief in the Mystery of the Eucharist wherein Christ (in full body and divinity) is present in the consecrated species. The response to this is to present oneself in humility before the species, often glorifying God by the heart and the lips. This particular practice then is a response to a belief which is an organised and defined response to a Reality present in the nature of God. In this way, it is impossible to be spiritual without religion, at least within the Christian context. To have religion in the Christian context, there must be community.
I guess I was reacting to: and my intent was to show that not only were they revolutionary for their time, they still are - which is why they seem not to be actually lived very much.
I have followed this thread with some interest, and have wondered how you have fared in your search, Grim. I think if you pray with sincerity (more than once, mind you...) for where to go - regarding a particular church or finding a good teacher perhaps...then you will be given one. Good luck.
Well, to be honest I haven't really moved in any direction. Retail(video games, no less) at this time of year doesn't leave me the sort of time I'd like to invest in this. But I think I'll be doing that. There's an absolutely amazing 'meditation park' not far from me with a beautiful little stone chapel in the middle of the woods where I was hoping to go, as I wanted to...I don't know...make it more special. I know that sounds a bit silly, given the circumstances. So barring a day off popping up soon, I suppose my backyard or bedroom will do
Two pieces of advice that I received when I was entering into investigating baptism and various Christian communities: 1) You must be comfortable in your worshiping life. I do not want this to mean you shoudl go some place where all you hear is what you want to hear. People often paint Christianity as this nice religion, where God wants you to be nice to everyone, and going to Heaven is about being nice, and Jesus was a nice guy with some cool ideas and was a hippy and treated everyone nicely. Christianity can be a challenge, and I am even struggling with particular aspects now and again. What I mean to say is go some place where you can feel the community. Worship where you feel comfortable to worship. Become spiritually fulfilled through your worship, rather than feeling dead inside (I am going through a bit of this right now. I have a strong desire to switch from Roman to Eastern Catholic because I find the spirituality present in the Western Church to be less than fulfilling). 2) Take this seriously, which you are. This decision does concern your soul. So I repeat again, do not go some place simply because it is convienient, traditional, or "nice". Go someplace you find the Truth.
