Belly,

I think the problem is that spirituality and religion are permanently linked in most people's minds because religions have led the understanding of spirituality but within really confined boundaries.

These boundaries are the misinterpreted old dusty books that they hold dear and yet are so suspect in their origin and their answers.

People by their very natures can't resist joining a club, but is it the right club?

I can keep spirituality and religion very separate, because I can at least see that there are too many flaws in the old books and the policies derived from them.

If a God exists he/she/it is far greater than the weak human qualities ascribed to him by man.

If people could only step back from their dogma and look at spirituality from within, from their hearts, maybe we would gain further insight.

Someone once said the kingdom of heaven is within, but then also talked of ascension.

Spirituality needs to be set free!

Opinionated2,
It was Jesus who said,"the kingdom of heaven is within". The kingdom of God is demonstrated by attitudes, actions and relationships. It is more than a belief about, it is a life made worthy by acting upon its aspirations and beliefs.
.
The real person is not the ever changing and perishing body. The real person is the character, attitudes and actions that impact and change persons and society. It is this person's spirit that is accountable to the judge of life and time.

It is that character that lives on past death.

Dear Belly,

You wrote an interesting sentnece

"I think man should have his Gods, I prefer one."

You prefer a God. Fine! Then have one. Why do you feel you can prescribe for others what they should have? I feel no need for a God, but I wouldn't deny it to others.

In answer to the last three posts I found all interesting.
First I believe in no God.
So spirituality for me is quit separate.
My intensive reading on this subject has me thinking this.
Our leaders/ religion/tribal clans needed control.
Few of us would question that if our subject was A native witch doctor.
We would have little trouble remembering our mums and dads warning us about a non existent beast or wild man to keep us close to home.
Such I think, is the birth pace of Gods, my view about one God, was tempered so not to insult Christians, even runner who inferred my politics makes me a lesser being.
In truth that straw/God, if needed should in my view be one of inclusiveness.
I truly think past Kings Queens Tribal leaders have twisted God to warm up the warriors us/against the ungodly.
Hope that settles it.
I however very much agree if a God exists we do not yet know him.

belly/quote..""First I believe in no God.
So spirituality for me is quit separate.""

dont think im picking
but so many would agree with you

but think of it like this..if spirits are real
then 'god' must be real..

realise that a church
or a religeon
or a group of like minded scientists
all collectivly 'do'..that co-operativly...which defines their assosiation

to wit 'the church'..or the govt...or the science
[regardless if the mater is 'settled']

any group usually has its 'leader'[or figurehead]
like govt has its president..athiest inc has david..
the church has 'the pope'...and the spirit ruling collective..has god

they collectivly would do all
that the one god is honourd as doing

god is within you
god sustains me my life too

all life is sustained..by the collective at=one-meant
[collective atonement]..

we know as
the all living all loving good..[god]

yes we are divided now
we have kings and lords
but later on..we combine our spiritualised good

even if only to serve the collective good...
and your personal god gift..the one good sustaining all life

sepperated/devided...here...and there
but at one highest level..of heaven..the god level
is affectivly..indesputably...'god'

who even in the spirit hereafter..
sustains us all our life ...our logic..our union of love

and god said
let there be light
and behold we all did our best

acting so collectivly..*
no one even noticed the god of the gaps

even so as long as spirit is unseen
so too is god unseen...[and you sure wouldnt want to deney the ultimate love..that which is gods alone]

not one of you can declare the truth
or reveal the faulsity..of one good living loving god

to say you believe in spirit
means you believe in his collective goodness

anyhow
there is a good god
just one..live with it..its certainly not worth dying over

dont burn bridges
one day you just might be in a dark place
and then like so many others..all of a sudden..you know there is a god

when the little light comes on..!

belly..""My intensive reading on this subject has me thinking this.""

think of it..like this
mostly..i read authers..who are 'dead'

but..their spirit..is reflected..*in their words
[so i can feel..i know them..by their words]

but in the next life...their full life story is there with them
in fact every person..*involved with both sides..of every event
that ever happend...

is there in the afterlife

where there are no secrets
where we need but ask..and the very people
who were there..in their own time...can show us

a replay of what actually happend
[knowing they know..cause
*they were there..IT HAPPEND

TO THEM..!

there..we can find jesus..find the guy..that speared him
talk with both of them..one to one

EVERYONE
who ever lived
is there NOW..in spirit

there are the deciples..there is mosus..there is budda
there is jfk..there is lee harvey oswald..there is einstein

there is darwin..there is plato..there are the best
AND worst..that can explain DIRECT..what really happend..

in..*their mortal life..and
every bit of spirit life..ever since

there you can hear..beethovens latest symphony..LIVE*
there you can watch rembrant paint..
[ask him..*to teach you to paint]

so mate..look at it like this
there..[in the realm]..of spirit
is the very best and worst..leaders..thinkers/scientists

they all know*
there is a god

they KNOW...!

what are we..to think we know there isnt

THEIR spirit..KNOWS

even if there is no 'god'..THEY are there
and ya think that ALL THAT BRAIN*power..
cant do simple things..like a big bang

or begin life
or any thing..it/they choses to do

EVERY thought ever thought..is there
every life that ever lived..LIVES there

RIGHT NOW...

""Our leaders/ religion/tribal clans needed control.""

ya think things changed?

""Few of us..would question that
if our subject..was A native witch doctor.""

how much more
the collective living minds
of all that ever lived..ALL IN THE SAME TIME?..space/place

""mums and dads...is the birth pace of Gods,""

think please mr bell
we both..will be there soon
laughing at how silly..we thought..*here/now

there..is your mum
your mothers mum..and dad

all their family..most of their pets

EVERYTHING..that ever lived..!
is there...right now..!