hi there,
your on your way.
Re-ligio (Latin) means exactly what you said but the word is not 'owned' by the religions in this world it is just a word expressing an action to look for the re-connecting to the 'Universal Energy' (Creation, Creator, God etc.)

Being religious and being spiritual is not the same.
Our Ego and our Higher Self are not the same.
Searching for our Higher Self (the divine in us) means being spiritual.

Blessings
Thomas
http://www.dorn-method.com

You might be able to add some ideas to my thread on 'My Oen Personal Religion' (sorry for the typo) in the Christianty Forum

The words that are available to express all of the ideas, thoughts, concepts and feelings about anything in this world limit our thinking because we don't just 'say' words, we live them. Word usage (semantics) becomes very important in understanding and communicating. People will choose their words (both intentionally and unintentionally) in order to impose shame, guilt, humiliation and intimidation on the other person because their ego is offended by the other person's good character. So you will very often hear things, whether about God or not, that will make you feel uncomfortable.

(I think I might have been misunderstood about 'selfish' because I didn't express myself well, sorry). Being at peace with yourself is certainly not contrary to the Lord's will (except if it prevents the humility necessary to learn from Him and the realization of His gift of eternal life). When the Lord was talking to Moses at the burning bush and said that He should be identified to the people as 'I AM', I believe that He DID want us to know ourselves (and be bold 2 Timothy 1:7 SELF-CONTROL to regulate that power) and be at peace with who we are. In THEORY, there should be no difference (except rank and power) between God and Christianity, but, in PRACTICE, I could hardly say that is the case (sad but true). There are two requirements in the bible that are worth noting found in Hebrews 11:6, "...For whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him". Everyday, learn more about Him and He will reward you. We are also to be sensitive to all the pain, misery and suffering in the world in the way that we should be able to recognize how evil causes people to suffer. We should be sensitive enough to not cause evil and compassionate enough to want to help those who suffer evil. When we are sensitive to evil and the ways that people mistreat each other (snickers, sneers, dirty looks, hatred, greediness, corruption, etc.), we will have reason at times to feel sad, dejected and low in spirits, that is why James 4:9 says "...turn your laughter to tears and your joy to..." because then, coupled with His gift of eternal, we really can recieve everything He has for us because, as He said in The Sermon on The Mount, Matthew 5:8..."Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is

THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
(our compassion blesses us)
God is LOVE.
God bless you.

The only thing religion is is a general term for things concerning doctrine, scripture, and spirituality. You seem to be fighting against an imaginary enemy! I think you mean "Christianity", in which case that is very foolish.

Psalm 14:1
"The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."

:O)
aj

Ann, this is God.
Thanks for telling the world what I do not need.
It is nice that your have outgrown the need for spiritual help from my deciples and have come to understand my needs so well. Gee, I must have had it wrong all of these eons, I thought you needed me. I remember your prayers.

I can remember when 'you' took your first bite of an apple and came running to me like the scared child you were.
Did I look pregnant? When did I become "creators" with a capital C?
I'm not going to read your mind so tell me who these other dudes are?

In your society, structured religions have their place, a biggie is instilling morals at a young age. Without morals, you are an animal. Everyone can't go on a quest such as yours, amoung perfect people to discover what I want you to know and learn. You have headed off a big disappointment as you will only find imperfect people worshiping in my house.

You seem to have concentrated on 'spiritual' studies and have only been critical of religions. This only offers you a lazy path to a heaven created by satin.

If you can not find me in structured religion you have failed your spiritual studies. Perhaps you should take up another hobby.





FYI - this isn't really God.