In the beginning,
Creator put four peoples on the earth.
He gave them each a continent and way to live.
He placed the whites in Europe and gave them a way to pray.
He placed the blacks in Africa and gave them a way to pray.
He placed the reds in the Americas and gave them a way to pray.
He placed the yellows in Asia and gave them a way to pray.
He gave them animals and plants to help them live.
And He gave them all Free Will.
Over the years, some of the people used their free will
and chose to become different. Some became too busy to pray and did
not want to live the way Creator had given them. Some used their free
will and chose to pray and live in a different way. Many of them traveled
beyond their given home.
And now we have many new peoples and many ways to pray and live. From
the different cultures that evolved in the different lands come different
religions and different forms of spirituality. And they seem
so different. And we wonder why, if there is one God, are there so many
religions?
For many people spirituality is troublesome. They don't know what to
believe in because there are so many different beliefs. They don't know
what religion is best because there are so many. And many people who
want to turn their lives around struggle with spiritual concepts because
they are have an aversion to religion.
Many who enter the circle of recovery from addiction and/or alcoholism
struggle with the spiritual aspects of the 12-step program.
Let me offer this concept: Sprituality is not the same as religion.
Religion is not spirituality. You do not have to be religious
to be spiritual. And being religious does not make you spiritual. Going
to church every Sunday and donating a portion of your income does not
make you spiritual. It makes you a religious follower... not neccessarily
a religious person.
How can that be? Let me offer some ideas that religion and spirituality
are two completely different and separate things.
Spirituality is natural. We all have it, whether we know it or
practice it, it is in us. And it really is a rather simple thing. We
want to be happy and live a "good" life. To have friends and
be social and have a special someone. We want to be "good"
and do the right things. But we have some very deep questions. What
happens when I die? Is there a God and who is it? How should I pray
to this God? How did we get here?
These questions are usually overwhelming for many people. And human
nature is to turn to an authority to tell us the answers. And
that is the purpose of and the origion of religion.
Religion is a man made, culture based doctrine that guides
it's people in the practice of spirituality. Religion is a good thing
that in some cases has had bad consequences on some individuals spirituality.
Not because religion is bad, but because it was applied in a
bad way.
Because religion is man made and culture based, it naturally has some
of the rules and taboos of that particular culture built into it. Unfortunately
for some, many cultures have chosen to use the fear of God to
enforce the man made rules of that culture.
And some wonder, how can there be a loving God when so many terrible
things happen to some people. Creator gave us free will. No one, no
thing, can totally control that which has free will. Although Creator
has a great plan for us to be happy, healthy, and good people, He has
no control over it. If we chose to follow this great plan, our lives
can be wonderful. But there can be sadness or pain or misfortune even
if we follow a good spiritual plan. Because that is the flow of life.
Things happen in life that are not always good. Many people chose not
to follow a spiritual path and do things as they wish. And while those
people walk through life, they cause an inbalance that affects the web
of life and all living things.
It does not mean they are bad people. Though some of them choose to
be bad and know better, many don't know any better. Many don't even
have a true understanding of goodness or spirituality. Many were never
taught. Many had reason to doubt what they were taught.
You can be a spiritual person without being religious. You only need
to have faith that there is some Higher Power out there. Pray to that
Higher Power for guidance and strength, faith and protection, help and
wisdom. You need not pray in some specific way. Only quiet your thoughts
and focus on praying. Maybe you will think your prayers. Maybe
you will say them out loud. Maybe you will read them from a book or
collection. Try to be humble and focus more on prayer for goodness and
for other people. Don't pray for great things for yourself... only for
guidance in living in a good way. Pray for yourself for protection and
strength.