You don't need religion to be spiritual. However, if you are religious, being spiritual is a plus. The two are often confused or interchanged. Throughout history violent acts have been committed in the name of religion. Before the establishment of the city state, there was no form of religion as we know it. Man saw the need for the social rites of religion and thus came (in the order that they were established): Hinduism circa 3000 B.C., Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, and finally Islam.

With the advent of each successive religion beginning with Judaism and with the exception of Buddhism, conflict ensued to expand their doctrine as a means of controlling other nations and continents. Atrocities ranging from extortion, rape, theft, and death resulted with the victors taking from their victims in the name of religion. No where did I detect a mention of spiritualism.

Lands and territories were taken over by the conquering religious sects as their own. We've heard of them. The Conquest of Canaan where the Israelites conquered Levant, then Jerusalem during the Jewish Diaspora-both in the name of Judaism; the Muslims made conquests on three separate continents, simultaneously, to advance Islamic faith; then the Christians countered Islamic conquests with two of their own-Reconquista and the Crusades. All of this before Christian missions and the founding of Israel to expand their respective territories even further.

Spiritualism, on the other hand, asks that the individual seek within himself and bring forth the essence of his being. Spiritual growth refers to that inside one that allows her to make life for herself and others better. A spiritual awakening means that the person experiencing this wonderful phenomenon realizes how their existence fits within the whole of the creation; he sees the beauty in the world surrounding him, the big and the small. She recognizes the interconnectedness of all things, and accepts her place and responsibility in the scheme of it all. She knows the whole and life is so much more than just herself. And, then she seeks for more.

Religion without spiritualism is barren. Spirituality is life, growth, rebirth and renewal.

Learn more about this author, Edwyne Rouchelle.
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