Religion vs. Spirituality

[Guest guest]

Jay, thank you for your thoughtful, six points. Regarding point #5, copied

below, I wholeheartedly agree. However, I feel an even more fundamental

component of religion than the acceptance of other religions (i.e.,

pluralism) is the very purpose of religion itself: Spiritual Growth. This

was/is first and foremost in the teachings of Christ (and Ramakrishna), but

has been relegated to a place of lesser importance in the Christian

religion, following: 1) Belief (as in, " What do you believe? " , which has

become the central tenant of Christianity), and 2) The so called, " Great

Commission, " i.e., the conversion of others to Christian " belief. "

 

In truth, the greatest commandment of Christ was for spiritual growth, as we

see in His own, divine words: " Love the Lord your God with all your heart

and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and

greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as

yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments "

(Matthew 22:37-40). Wow - does it get any better or clearer than that!?

 

If American Christians would focus their time, energy and resources (i.e.,

their " religion " ) on embracing, actualizing and experiencing these words,

they would not have to seek out others to convert - the world would come to

them. Also, I would like to believe that terrorists would have no desire

to -or- not be able to wreak havoc on such blessed souls.

 

God Bless Us All,

Brad

 

Jay wrote:

 

(5) One of the ways the religious communities can respond is

by 'Re-examining religious teachings'. If needed even re-interpreting

their own scriptures to tackle the situation we live in: i.e. " A

multi-faith society. " Hence just tolerance of other faiths will not do

any more -- this has to be replaced with " Acceptance of other faiths

as equally valid " . This is not an easy thing to do. Again the word

that comes to mind is 'Pluralism'. Can this be advocated by

the main stream religions? The pundits of various faiths can dig

deep into their own traditions and come up with lots of

speculative arguments of how this can somehow be accommodated

within their faith. This will appear suspiciously as text torturing.