| Religion, Spirituality, Christianity, isn't it all the same? |
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| The terms religion and spirituality are often used interchangeably. There are many stark contrasts between religion, spirituality, and Christianity, but too many people fail to understand the distinction. Hundreds of millions of people are religious or spiritual. Religion and spirituality can be anything the person practising them desires, but Christianity is defined by God. For centuries, religion has given christianity a bad name. To those looking at the church from the outside, christianity has been hidden in the chaos of religion. Religion is a theological belief system and a code of conduct (rules and regulations), spirituality is a feel-good ideal, Christianity is the acceptance of Jesus Christ and a willingness to follow Him. Religion legitimately serves a purpose, however. It points a person in the right direction to find and accept God. However, religion has become an end unto itself, and many things that are done in the name of religion have little to do with christianity or Christ. Spirituality is a big accomodating basket into which you can put almost anything you want to feel about 'the higher power', or 'spiritual force' or 'your own little voice' or whatever you call whatever it is that makes you feel better. Spirituality is vague and undemanding. Spirituality can include such things as occult, fortune telling, a belief in 'a higher power', a belief that if God made us, we are all gods, etc. Christianity is different. It is based on a belief not just in God, but in Jesus Christ his son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus is demanding. He insists that if you chose to follow him, you do just that, putting all other 'idols' aside. (see link to 'what is a christian' page) next step |