Religion and Spirituality
Found this quote in an interview with writer Paulo Coelho on Beliefnet.com:

Well, let's distinguish religion from spirituality. I am Catholic, so religion for me is a way of having discipline and collective worship with persons who share the same mystery.

I like the way he put that! Religion is not spirituality but a

• set of disciplines (and)
• collective worship (with)
• persons who share the same mystery.

I think I would add for me that part of the purpose of thse disciplines and worship with like-minded people is to touch the spiritual dimension of existance. I call that spiritual dimension the love of God in Jesus Christ. Yes, it does sound different than what we have always thought it was about, but stop and think about it and I hope you will understand a little about what I am saying.

"Being spiritual" is what happens when we have made those connections with God. "Being religious" can help us get there.

Also on Beliefnet.com is a "parable" by Coelho, A Place in Paradise, based on a Hasidic tale by David Mandel. It's a wonderful read.