I disagree with this also. The further we get from religion the more violent we become. For one violence is inherent in many humans for some reason and there are more of us in close proximity on this planet now so naturally violence will commence. Verification of our violent nature ie, sports, movies, games we play, death penalty, etc.... That does not include of course the street crimes committed, family domestic abuse, etc....

Some of the most horrid crimes to humans have been done with religion as a backdrop. Wars, conversions, witchhunts, etc.... So ungodly humans do not have the monopoly on horrid crimes. Look at the abortion clinic bomber, saving lifes by killing them. I can go on and on.

I am sorry but in the wrong mind religion can be just as dangerous as non religion. The recipient of the information is the determiner of the result.

It is not my gut instinct to me, I am unreligious, but I do have a really good gut instinct. It has saved me on many occasions. I call it my sixth sense.

A blind sheep is a sheep that doesn't follow the shepard, it blunders through the world until it falls off a cliff or drowns in a river. A blind sheep is one that denys that it's shepard would want something from it or that it's owner will lead it to a better place. A blind sheep doesn't see the shepard, so it denys the existance of the shepard altogether. Although the blind sheep can hear the voice of the shepard, it ignores the shepard and blunders along thinking that it must know the best way.

Good question, thanks for asking.

I laughed so hard on this one spider.

You have come up against me on many things in these threads and I would like to see one instance of my unbravery for what I believe.

Maybe you consider a blind faith in a book being brave, I do not know, but I know that there has never been a person who has talked with me or met me who would say I am weak about anything I believe in. I have to tone it down some so I do not over power others. I haven't got this skill all the way down yet as I get argumentative but I am working on it.

My spirit is life pure and simple. It is not governed by a book or a god. My body is controlled by my logical mind so it is moral and ethical, the spirit makes my body feel alive, glowing, etc...

You asked and I answered. I didn't say that I was speaking of any particular person.

There are many kinds of bravery and there are many kinds of strength. The strength to be mocked in public daily is one which many lack. The bravery that it takes to talk about your beliefs when you know they will be mocked, not many have that. It's very hard not to pick up and throw a couple stones back, but I see so many here complain when just that is done.

For me being spiritual means, being one with yourself and all being around you.
Being spiritual, in my opinion, has nothing to do with religion.

You are definitely right about bravery at the risk of being mocked. The way I think of this is if I am comfortable with my own spirituality others judgements of it or me are irrelevant. Throwing stones, just like I said, a person should try not to do it but on the occasion that it happens they should be willing to apologize even when they feel they are justified. I have had to do this on more than one occasion and will continue to do it as I cannot know all the time if I am offending someone else, even though I do not see it. I am learning to control my strength so it is not overpowering to others. I am still a student of life. As we all are.

I agree

back at'cha Dragoness

I enjoy both spirituality and religion.

I think that they are different and to me the biggest difference is that spirituality is very personal and individual and religion is more formulaic and intended for groups.

Spirituality is me paying attention to my life, to what is happening now, to what is good in the world. Spirituality is being in nature, it is listening to myself, it is many things but as I said they are personal to me. I can share aspects of my spirituality but I don't need to share my spiritual beliefs or meditation, etc in order for it to be meaningful.

Religion to me is a group activity- even if the religion is practiced alone at times it is based on what groups of people or authors of books or both have agreed on. It is defined and standardized within itself although some are more fluid or adaptable than others. I feel that religion can be useful. Religion at it's best is just an education and a community- a forum for teaching children and adults, for discussing what is right conduct in ambiguous situations, how to solve problems, how to help and care for one another, a community that cares for one another and helps each other... I rarely see that occur but it could be good in the abstract.

Peace and joy.