Religion & Spirituality

I tend to use the word "spirituality" in this blog and avoid the word "religion".

This isn't because I believe, with what seems a growing majority of people, that "spirituality" is good and "religion" is bad. This has become so intrenched an attitude that even "rational" people cling to it.

I feel religion is the Source of spirituality and that folks seeing religion as bad are confusing the human practice of something with its Essence.

So, it often seems the best course to avoid in-your-face posts. Surely hope you don't feel this post is that way...

Check out this apostrophe to Muhammad from Bahá’u’lláh ( included in the compilation Reality ), clearly showing the importance of True Religion:

"Behold, O Muhammad, how the sayings and doings of the followers of Shi’ih Islam have dulled the joy and fervor of its early days, and tarnished the pristine brilliancy of its light. In its primitive days, whilst they still adhered to the precepts associated with the name of their Prophet, the Lord of mankind, their career was marked by an unbroken chain of victories and triumphs. As they gradually strayed from the path of their Ideal Leader and Master, as they turned away from the Light of God and corrupted the principle of His Divine unity, and as they increasingly centered their attention upon them who were only the revealers of the potency of His Word, their power was turned into weakness, their glory into shame, their courage into fear. Thou dost witness to what a pass they have come. Behold, how they have joined partners with Him Who is the Focal-Point of Divine unity. Behold how their evil doings have hindered them from recognizing, in the Day of Resurrection, the Word of Truth, exalted be His glory. We cherish the hope that this people will henceforth shield themselves from vain hopes and idle fancies, and will attain to a true understanding of the meaning of Divine unity."

Bahá’u’lláh: Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, Selection
XXVIII, pp. 69-70