InesQor:

I think this whole "Don't be religious, be rather spiritual" tripe began to be principally spewed from the buccal dungeons of some new generation church pastors, but it's interesting to note that it is now spreading to non-Christian religious worldviews (people like Jenwitemi) who are also quick to dissociate themselves from the name "religion" as if it is a plague.

It was just another catchy thing for those Men of God to say and command their followers to chant. We all know they like shiny objects, like jackdaws.

"I'm not religious. I'm spiritual!" 

LOL yeah right.

Before it used to be 'christianity is not a religion, it is a way of life', or 'Christianity is not a religion it is a walk with Christ'. What is going on is so obvious? Certain words have their denotations and connotations. Denotation being what it actually means while connotations are ideas that are associated with the word. Most words go through many vicissitudes on it's journey through the ages. Some words like 'sick' or 'bad' go from meaning negative things and carrying negative connotations to meaning cool/trendy and all sorts of positive connotations.

'Religion' too has gone through some serious changes in its connotations. People are almost afraid to put their hands up and say that they are religious. And it is not just these pseudo-new age, pop-spiritual boo boys. Even christians will step back if you approach them regarding religion. It's pathetic really.

Pastor AIO:



Before it used to be 'christianity is not a religion, it is a way of life', or 'Christianity is not a religion it is a walk with Christ'. What is going on is so obvious? Certain words have their denotations and connotations. Denotation being what it actually means while connotations are ideas that are associated with the word. Most words go through many vicissitudes on it's journey through the ages. Some words like 'sick' or 'bad' go from meaning negative things and carrying negative connotations to meaning cool/trendy and all sorts of positive connotations.

'Religion' too has gone through some serious changes in its connotations. People are almost afraid to put their hands up and say that they are religious. And it is not just these pseudo-new age, pop-spiritual boo boys. Even christians will step back if you approach them regarding religion. It's pathetic really.

+1

Exactly!!

They are going on the defensive as usual. Their reactionary opinions do not bother me in the least because that is expected. I am only surprised about pastor's stance on this. Looks like the man has gone backwards in 2012. Oh, well. . .

izi-n-bizi:

@ Jenwitemi,
Let dem rant. Bread is not for dogs, it is for the children, they that are called will listen and they that are destined for destruction are hardened. Let him that hath ears listen and heed the beckon of Spirit. Mankind is evlving towards Spirituality and only those that are prepared will be delivered during the intense period of Spiritual starvation and extreme religious aggression, those times are near - Discover your essence for yourself.

Spirituality teaches one that the kingdom of heaven lies within each and everyone of us. Religiosity teaches one that the same kingdom is without (outside) each and every one of us. It is out there, somwhere.

Religion teaches one to be dependent on the priesthood. Spirituality teaches one to stand on one's own two feet and not be dependent on anyone. It is all about growing up and achieving maturity via evolution of one's consciousness.

Religion is all about belief. Spirituality is all about knowing.

Spirituality teaches that true morality comes from within each of us. Religion teaches that morality comes from without. From the scriptures, to be exact.

Spirituality encourages autonomy and independence of thought, to think for oneself as expansively as possible. Religion, however, frowns upon such. Strict obedience to the doctrine offered through the priesthood is both central and paramount.

Religion encourages one to lay blame on others for the negativities in one's life thereby absolving one of the maturing exercise of facing up to one's shadow self. There is always a figure of blame to heap the responsibility of one's misery on.

Spirituality, however, teaches one not to play that blame game, but instead, to accept all responsibilities for one's misery and seek redemption from within. In there lies the solutions. Blaming a figure of hate(i.e the devil) for every negativity that happens in one's life is both time and energy wasting exercise that leads to nothing but more misery via evolutionary stagnation in the end.

Spirituality encourages the search of knowledge through science knowing that the result will always prove spirituality right. Religion loathes scientific search for knowledge because it feels that it's very existence is being threatened by such searching.

Religion imposes dogma through coercion. Spirituality guides one along the path of realization and discovery of the self. Great difference.

Spirituality invites and encourages reasoning. Religion hates and fears it.

To be spiritual, religion and it's structures are not needed.

Religion promotes egoism. Spirituality helps one to relieve the self of egoism.

In spirituality, YOU are your own saviour. One's salvation depends on how well one is spiritually evolving from day to day. There is no separate saviour outside oneself as religion (ala christianity) propounds.

@ Jenwitemi
You are 100% correct on your posts and truly aware of the concept of Spirituality.

In spirituality, there are no laws, no structure, no hierachy, no principles, no condemnation - The quest is that of the knowledge of one's essence; an internal pursuit of deep awareness in which your Essence (Spirit) directs you in the path of life and purpose. I wish people recognize these and stop wasting emotional, financial and other resources in trying to seek "divine intervention" of an external "GOD" and from priests and so called religious leader. They (pastors, bishops, arch-bishops, primate, imam and other religious authorities) will certainly contend with the truth in Spirituality for their personal gains and profit sakes but they will fail because the truth will liberate people from their deceit and wickedness. They have preached the message of condemnation for too long and gloried in captivating the minds of the simple with the message of the fear. This is the time of liberation and none is able to withstand the era of peace and of life in your Essence; an era of Spirituality.

Jenwitemi:

Spirituality encourages the search of knowledge through science knowing that the result will always prove spirituality right. Religion loathes scientific search for knowledge because it feels that it's very existence is being threatened by such searching.

This is so on point and accurate, its so interesting how religion abhors science, but truly science confirms Spirituality, it actually seeks to understand the Spiritual works. Religion wants to captivate the mind, put in bondage and rule it with fear ,so it opposes science/knowledge and sees it as a threat to its domain of slavery. Ignorance and darkness is part of the curse of mankind and this is where Religion thrive.

Jenwitemi:

In spirituality, YOU are your own saviour. One's salvation depends on how well one is spiritually evolving from day to day. There is no separate saviour outside oneself as religion (ala christianity) propounds.

I totally agree with you on this one!!! in spirituality, one evolves day to day with new discoveries of the potency of Essence and along with this comes increased level of liberty and vitality which even materialises physically. Man has evolved physically, Man has evolved Mentally, Man has evolved Socially and this is the direction of the evolution of mankind today - Spiritual Evolution; this is the height of evolution and refines all other forms of evolution and will lead mankind to perfection.

Succinctly put, izi. Couldn't have been worded any better. Bravo!

izi-n-bizi:

I totally agree with you on this one!!! in spirituality, one evolves day to day with new discoveries of the potency of Essence and along with this comes increased level of liberty and vitality which even materialises physically. Man has evolved physically, Man has evolved Mentally, Man has evolved Socially and this is the direction of the evolution of mankind today - Spiritual Evolution; this is the height of evolution and refines all other forms of evolution and will lead mankind to perfection.   

The highlighted is absolutely nailed on. One of the most insidious tricks of religions like christianity is the purposeful confusion of religiosity with spirituality to deceive the adherents into believing that they are, somehow, living a spiritual life when in actuality they are living far far away from it.
The great irony here is that the central figure of worship of the christian faith is not even religious. Jesus was 100% spiritual in his teachings and never put himself at the center of his message. But the christian priesthood did a fantastic job by putting Jesus right at the center of his teachings as the most important just so they could benefit from the advantages that move would bring them and, oh boy, has it brought them fantastic benefits! Just look at how they are living large today and have been living since the official formation of this religion. Absolutely amazing how this has lasted for so long.

izi-n-bizi:

@ Jenwitemi
You are 100% correct on your posts and truly aware of the concept of Spirituality.

In spirituality, there are no laws, no structure, no hierachy, no principles, no condemnation - The quest is that of the knowledge of one's essence; an internal pursuit of deep awareness in which your Essence (Spirit) directs you in the path of life and purpose. I wish people recognize these and stop wasting emotional, financial and other resources in trying to seek "divine intervention" of an external "GOD" and from priests and so called religious leader. They (pastors, bishops, arch-bishops, primate, imam and other religious authorities) will certainly contend with the truth in Spirituality for their personal gains and profit sakes but they will fail because the truth will liberate people from their deceit and wickedness. They have preached the message of condemnation for too long and gloried in captivating the minds of the simple with the message of the fear. This is the time of liberation and none is able to withstand the era of peace and of life in your Essence; an era of Spirituality.

Let him that hath ears listen and heed the beckon of Spirit. Mankind is evloving towards Spirituality and only those that are prepared will be delivered during the intense period of Spiritual starvation and extreme religious aggression, those times are near - Discover your essence for yourself.

izi-n-bizi:

Let him that hath ears listen and heed the beckon of Spirit. Mankind is evloving towards Spirituality and only those that are prepared will be delivered during the intense period of Spiritual starvation and extreme religious aggression, those times are near - Discover your essence for yourself.

Funnily, I heard differently just yesterday. I heard that Mankind was evolving towards Atheism.

logicboy:


However, religion does become toxic because hostility towards non-members arises. We have seen slavery and genocide of unbelievers. Human beings have now evolved or are evolving away from religion. The world is so interconnected that we do not need local religions appreciate/understan the importance of a co-operative effort in creating a better world for human survival or the survival of the human race.


Thank you, Pastor AIO for the video

https://www.nairaland.com/934680/hive-psychology-origins-morality-religion#10792910

Still on the subject how is Spirituality different from Religion?