Religion and spirituality are like apples and oranges. They each have a different area of interest; a different area of expertise.
Religion is exclusive – It creates an “us” and a “them”. Spirituality says that all life is precious and equal.
Religion is filled with ritual and ceremony. Spirituality is spontaneous.
Religion makes you dependent, upon it – for comfort, for information, for salvation and more. Spirituality makes you independent – of everything.
Religion has a hierarchy; from the most important and most revered to the least important and least revered. Spirituality has no hierarchy…all are equal.
Religion is taught. No one knows about religion from birth. Religions can be very different so anything can be taught. Spirituality is known; intuitively. It cannot be taught…it must be felt.
Religion is about God. Spirituality is a direct, personal relationship with God.
Religion can be a comfort or a cause of discomfort in this three-dimensional, physical world of duality. Spirituality offers a way to transcend this world.
Religion can be a support system and a social and moral guidepost for the physical body and all external to it. Spirituality is the path to the inner world.
Religion is concerned with the divinity without. Spirituality is concerned with the divinity within.
Religion puts information in you. Spirituality helps you uncover what is already in you.
Religion needs followers. Spirituality needs nothing more than for you to lead yourself.
Choose carefully – From each according to its design; its purpose. Render unto religion that which belongs to religion. Render unto spirituality that which belongs to spirituality. They need not be adversaries. Let apples be apples and oranges be oranges.