SPIRITUALITY VS RELIGION
Is There a Difference?
Many people wonder, and some ask, if there is a difference between spirituality and religion. The answer is yes!
To explore the distinctions between spirituality and religion, we can focus on three key actions or activities: Connection, Conduit, and Conditioned Fellowship. By examining these aspects, we can identify the unique experiences associated with each practice.
First, a spiritual connection utilizes our 'spirit of origination' in either an active or passive role.
What do we mean?
An active spirit of origination has been “re-activated” by the conscious decision to invite Christ Jesus back into our lives, allowing us to utilize His Spirit of Truth as our counselor and advocate (John 14:16, 26). In contrast, a passive or ‘inactive’ spirit of origination remains fundamentally inert, responding only to scenarios of ‘right or wrong’ and ‘reward or punishment’ in daily life. This spirit has relinquished its entire state of original truth and love, as created by God, when it enters the physical world at birth.
The spirit of origination functions similarly, whether active in a spiritual or religious setting. However, the guidance it receives differs: in one case, it is led by the Spirit of Truth, while in the other, it is influenced by ecclesiastical leadership. The former relies entirely on a relationship with Christ Jesus, while the latter is more dependent on church clergy.
This brings us to our second point, “Conduit.” For the spiritually grounded individual, the conduit (or mediator) between God and humanity is Jesus Christ Himself. For those who are religiously bound, their focus remains on the church clergy as the intermediary. In our postmodern era, other figures may also be viewed as focal points.
In the third realm, ‘Fellowship’ pertains to the spiritually grounded, embodied once again by Christ Jesus. Those who have voluntarily undergone the five steps of ‘spirit of origination reactivation’ now have the right and privilege of fellowship as ‘spiritually reborn’ children of God. This fellowship functions directly with Christ Jesus through His Spirit of Truth, which dwells within the believer’s spirit of origination.
In contrast, fellowship for religious participants usually revolves around congregational groups, often led by clergy, lay ministers, or other leadership personnel.
Despite the differences that exist between these two avenues of belief, individuals should seek out where they are spiritually nourished. The hope, regardless of their chosen path, is for all “Christians” to respond in a “Christ-like” manner by emulating the moral and ethical examples set by Jesus.