Spirituality And Religion

Don’t you just love those religious organizations that demand allegiance, suggesting that if you’re not one of them, you’re going to Hell. Scary isn’t it? And there are so many of them so which one do you join.

Fear is all about control and it is cultish behavior. This series is about false religion and true religion. Fear is a characteristic of false religion.

Kindness is a renewable resource — Image by Ron Mader on Flickr

Though there are a lot of definitions of religion and spirituality, relevant to this discussion are:

Spirituality is about shaping what kind of person we become and the practices we retain.
Religion is about paths of learning, beliefs, a supporting community of believers, and organized collective action.
Judgment is not for the forgiven. The forgiven aren’t judged. For the unforgiven it’s on balance about the state of our soul created by our actions.

The soul that is continuously cleansed by forgiveness is able to go on and do good, but the soul hampered by actions that hurt others stays mired in hate and regret.

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8

No fear

If religion has value to people then it doesn’t need fear. People flock to good things like the smell of hot cookies and popcorn. Religion that directs people toward good works and enhances their lives is a certain draw. Religion that causes fear and hate drives people away.

“do justice, love kindness” said the prophet

Love kindness. Smiles are free and you never run out of them. Smiles reveal what kind of person you are. Kind words are free and usually very appreciated – hand them out with passion. Kind actions like a helping hand are free and a demonstration of what kind of person you are. Eagerly show people. These are things that show a good spirit-soul, and they attract others to you either as an individual or a religion. The lack of kindness is a red flag that says, “Stay away.”

Do justice. The word “justice” (mishpat) is a reflection of divine justice – following the divine law about how to live, which is essentially how to treat others. Don’t just memorize beliefs and rules, “do justice.” Make the world right. This means that if you see people are not being treated well, then you work to change it.

Kindness and justice are the essence of religion. They are also the essence of your spiritual condition.

Faith has a secondary position to love

The Apostle Paul said, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)

Acts of love, or kindness means that our behavior toward others is a result of our spiritual condition. It’s our intent – it’s who we are. The word “spirit” can often comfortably be replaced by the words “mental disposition” or “intent.” We are a reflection of divine love, which is the mental disposition of God toward us, or intent of God. God is spirit.

James the Apostle, Son of Zebedee

Don’t be deceitful. “You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.” James 2:24 (NASB)

As James clarified, “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works [toil or deeds]? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.” – James 2:14 (NASB)

Sitters versus doers of the word

We can attend religious services and yak about it all day every day, but this isn’t what it’s all about. This isn’t the intent. The intent is to become people who benefit the world around them. Not because we are required to (law), but because we want. We’re compelled to act because that’s our spiritual condition – we are that kind of person at heart. It’s our intent.

“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5: 18 (NIV)

Galatians 5:13-15 (NIV) “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh [opposition to the spirit]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Spiritual or Religious?

This really isn’t a question. Religion should help people become better people – attain a better spiritual condition. If it doesn’t then it’s useless. It’s dead. Spiritual growth is experiential. As people experience they reinforce or eliminate religious beliefs, and grow whether religion is present or not. It’s better to have good religious teaching behind people but many will become better without it.

What is Spiritual?

God is love, God is Spirit, God is the wisdom presented by the Word. The spirit is like the wind, unseen. Sometimes bad ideas seem like good ideas, but through experience and discernment we reject them. We embody ideas within our soul as we live, experience, and learn.

The spirit is experiential and intent. We don’t become spiritual by studying, but by proving ideas through experience. It’s a process of proving or disproving, and becoming. It’s compelling.

I explain the spiritual much more deeply in my book, New Generations Walk With Jesus: It’s the inner life of us all, filled with love, faith, hope, and compelling ideas. It’s our human passion and wisdom that influence us and sets us into action. It’s an expression of our intent, and includes a deeper communion with others. It involves the testing of and product of experiences related to ideas, an implement in spiritual growth, and an avenue of relating or resonating to ideas.”

I know, this description probably sounds like the elitist repartee of effete theological snobs. My wife barfed. I get it, but there is a lot in this description in you unpack it and seriously consider it.

Take Home points

1 John 4:16 “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

Christians often act entitled because of their belief in Jesus. “Me know secret. Me good, you bad. Me entitled.” But the love that shows who we are isn’t about secrets, saying the right words, or being entitled. It’s about how we treat others. God loves us all the same and treats us all the same.

Love is at the top in importance. We are to love kindness and do justice, and we do that as a reflection of who we are.

More: What is Spirituality vs. Religion?

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Our answer is God. God’s answer is us. Together we make the world better.

Dorian

I will use some book references for this series, which I recommended reading:

Tabernacle of Hate by Kerry Nobles – true story of a group that isolated for peaceful living but ended up in cults that advocated violence.
C Street by Jeff Sharlet – a true cult that thought Jesus was wrong, and influences politicians around the world
When Religion Becomes Evil by Charles Kimball (5 warning signs)