it's amazing to me how something so simple has become such a necessity for me - that time in silence, listening to the universe. Thank you love.

For me, there is a huge and fundamental difference between religion and spirituality. Religion is based primarily on beliefs that can become so ingrained and emotionally powerful that they move into dogma. Beliefs are very primitive types of thinking and are lazy. They require no investigation or research into their truth and no learning. They simply require acceptance. And most religious beliefs are taught at a very early age before cognitive skills are developed and with the caveat, never to question them...even though they are often delusional. Our Country has even reached a point where much of our public policy (laws) are based on beliefs not facts; e.g. "illegal aliens" (what hateful language), LGBTQ civil rights, marriage equality and adoption, approval of the use of military force in Iraq because of some believed "nuclear threat", etc.
Spirituality for me is more about practice than belief. I focus on two areas: I practice healthy, loving relationships to everyone each day, even those that irritate me; and I practice values (e.g. respect, honesty, self responsibility, etc.). I keep it simple and focused with daily practice. Period...end of story.

I love columns/articles like this, as it gives me further insights into the workings of the human mind. As an agnostic, I'm always a bit wonderous about those who ponder their place in the universe. Me? I'm just trying to find a parking space here on Earth, and among the people around me. I 'give thanks' by throwing a little party for friends, or putting more bird seed in the feeder. The closest I get to meditating is being alone with a bottle of wine and pondering the people I love, and who love me, and trying to figure out if I've been doing a good job of just being human. I figure the universe will take care of itself, and that it doesn't much care about a little speck of carbon like me, nor my place in it. I've got my hands full with the planting and weeding of my own little garden. I guess this does indeed put me into a minority of humanity, as most do seem to ponder 'larger', more
existential things. Kinda makes me wonder if perhaps science will someday discover a bundle of 'spiritual' neurons in our brain - and that I was born without it? :)

Jesus Christ is also waiting for you all in a totally accepting relationship with God just as you are. Jesus was not only God but also a left wing social activist. That is why the fundamentalists wanted to kill him. A relationship with Jesus Christ is not about church. However, having one will probably lead you in that direction. It is not difficult to get this relationship.

Pray: Thank you for Jesus for forgiving my sins. Come into my life. Lead and guide me into the kind of life that is best for me and take me to be with you when I die.

That's all. It is simple but profound. And if you want to learn more about Jesus and God in an environment that says you are fabulous, look up MCCBR.org and listen to the services and the music. The preaching is usually good. The music, well, we can harmonize! There is usually a new service up by Thursday. (Depends on when our tech guy gets it up. It is volunteer work.)

Just because something reminds you of church does not make it bad. As GLBTQ and supporters, it is important to PICK YOUR CHURCH CAREFULLY. If they tell you who you are is bad, leave. They are not following Christ and not worthy of your time or money. Not all are bad. In fact a majority are not. It is just that the bad ones tend to be big and have a lot of money and noisy egotistical pastors. Regard them as "religiotainment". I guarantee a lot of their members do.\
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You can still walk a labyrinth, meditate or even chant but you will have someone real whom you are communicating with and it will be life changing and fullfilling because that person is not you but is in you and is bigger than you and interested in what you are doing.