Spirituality vs Religion!

This ought to get a few colorful comments started.  Let me start by saying, if you are easily offended on matters of Religion, stop reading now!

Many people ask me am I Religious?  To which I always reply ‘No’!  I am however, a big believer in Balance, Respect towards others, and the Ultimate Purpose of why we are here.  I consider myself more of a Spiritual person.   When I explain that to many people, I get looked at like I’m sprouting another head!  The next question tends to be ‘What’s the Difference?” 

I was raised Catholic.  And when I got old enough to start thinking for myself, I realized how much of what I was learning, I vehemently disagreed with.  I do believe in God, but I don’t believe in the Catholic Church’s viewpoints on birth control, living together, and I really disagree with covering up sexual abuse of a child just because the pervert who committed the crime was a priest.  

So here is what I think, and after all, the column is called ‘In My Opinion’.  I think a person can be ‘not Religious’, but still believe in God.    I don’t believe a person is a ‘Christian’ just because they say so.  I believe it has more to with how you live your life, as opposed to how holy you can look one hour per week in Church.  I believe the Catholic Church was at one time the ‘biggest business’ in the world, (think back 1000 years) and I believe that it is made up of human men, just men.  And all men make mistakes.  Every human being makes mistakes.

To err is human, to forgive Divine!  And remember, that’s  just my opinion.

Darlene