RELIGION- barrier or catalyst?

Question

is religion a barrier to SPIRITUALITY
or
a catalyst to SPIRITUALITY.

why?

Answer 1

Either. It depends on the nature of the religion and if it has dogma or not.

Generally, spirituality requires open thinking, and you then would be bogged down in a religion that says "no killing" for example.

Answer 2

Religion of the masses is a barrier .The religion of the individual is a catalyst.

Answer 3

well, I say barrier, because Jesus specifically warns against becoming religious in your worship. If you do everything the same way, over and over again, it loses it's worth and import. It becomes more of a methodical thing than actual worship.

[Christianity is not religion! The most accepted etymological derivation of the English word "religion" recognizes the root of the word in the Latin word religare, which means "to bind again" or "to tie back." Jesus did not come to bind, fasten, tie, or attach us to anything or anyone. He came to set us free to be functional humanity in the fullest sense, saying, "you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32), for "if the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:36). Paul likewise indicates that "it was for freedom that Christ set us free" (Gal. 5:1), for "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (II Cor. 3:17).
-http://www.christinyou.net/pages/confrel.html ]

Answer 4

From my personal experience, I would say that organized religion is a catalyst to spirituality. I feel that for me, spirituality without organized religion is apt to go loose and do things unsanctioned by society. Organized religion is a ballast for my pursuit of spirituality: it keeps me grounded in conceptual reality.

Of course, your results may vary :-)

Answer 5

Possibly neither one. Religion might not have much to do with spirituality at all.
Culturally it works mostly as an adjunct to the government. It is used as a secondary method of thought control.

Answer 6

Actually science and religion are like twins. The flooding of the world and the lucky people and 2 of every kind of animal and bird and insect in the world invited to be on Noahs Ark. The parting of the Red Sea, Davids slaying of the Giant Goliath. Its all explaineable in how real science that has to do with weather conditions and the in and out of flowing tidal basins. and with Davids Sling shot that is a real weapon used by shepards in those days, and in that area of time it was as effective for wolfs and coyotes as 22 caliber rifles are today. Your question is not original and churches go backwards with thier science translations to what the scriptures say. I think you may be refering to the real begining of Life itself with Adam & Eve versus the science version of evolution before caveman when it was that monekys changed into a caveman, then the caveman who is us becomes a normal civilized human being. The religion won't explain that coincidence. In that the twain is different to great to ever meet.

Answer 7

both.

in fact, even the exact same religion can act as both.

over lifetimes different beliefs are what are needed, so for one person any particular religion might be a means to being more spiritual, while for another person that exact same religion might be a limitation/hinderance.

Answer 8

2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2Ti 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
jtm

Answer 9

'A religion is a set of beliefs and practices generally held by a community, involving adherence to codified beliefs and rituals and study of ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, history, and mythology, as well as personal faith and mystic experience. The term "religion" refers to both the personal practices related to communal faith and to group rituals and communication stemming from shared conviction.

In the frame of (patriarchal) European religious thought,[1] religions present a common quality, the "hallmark of patriarchal religious thought": the division of the world in two comprehensive domains, one sacred, the other profane.[2] Religion is often described as a communal system for the coherence of belief focusing on a system of thought, unseen being, person, or object, that is considered to be supernatural, sacred, divine, or of the highest truth. Moral codes, practices, values, institutions, tradition, rituals, and scriptures are often traditionally associated with the core belief, and these may have some overlap with concepts in secular philosophy. Religion is also often described as a "way of life".

The development of religion has taken many forms in various cultures. "Organized religion" generally refers to an organization of people supporting the exercise of some religion with a prescribed set of beliefs, often taking the form of a legal entity (see religion-supporting organization). Other religions believe in personal revelation and responsibility. "Religion" is sometimes used interchangeably with "faith" or "belief system,"[3] but is more socially defined than that of personal convictions.'

'Spirituality, in a narrow sense, concerns itself with matters of the spirit. The spiritual, involving (as it may) perceived non-physical eternal verities regarding humankind's ultimate nature, often contrasts with the earthly, with the material, or with the worldly. A sense of connection forms a central defining characteristic of spirituality — connection to something "greater" than oneself, which includes an emotional experience of religious awe and reverence. Equally importantly, spirituality relates to matters of sanity and of psychological health. Like some forms of religion, spirituality often focuses on personal experience (see mysticism).

Spirituality may involve perceiving or wishing to perceive life as more important ("higher"), more complex or more integrated with one's world view; as contrasted with the merely sensual.

Many spiritual traditions, accordingly, share a common spiritual theme: the "path", "work", practice, or tradition of perceiving and internalizing one's "true" nature and relationship to the rest of existence (God, creation (the universe), or life), and of becoming free of the lesser egoic self (or ego) in favor of being more fully one's "true" "Self".'

Answer 10

Religion will disappear in the end.