Religion vs. Spirituality
Rev. Erik Swanson
August 31, 2025
When I read the quote — “God has no religion” from Gandhi — it struck me deeply. Religion is something we humans create in hopes of drawing closer to God, but God simply is. Our calling is to connect with that reality and let it shape our lives. More and more, people today describe themselves as spiritual but not religious, and I think that distinction is important. Many have been hurt by rigid institutions that cling more to tradition than to Spirit. Yet by being here — whether in person or online — we live at the intersection of religion and spirituality. At Westhope, our work is not to idolize religion itself but to deepen communion with the Divine.
The Ongoing Effort to Connect to the Holy
Gandhi’s quote reminds me that all religions, when explored deeply, point us toward the same Eternal One — the Creator, the Great Mystery. Too often, we get caught up in fighting over beliefs or which faith is “right.” But I believe God waits patiently for us to set aside the arguments and simply enter into relationship. For me, that is spirituality: the ongoing effort to connect with the Holy. I admit I have a bias here — I encourage us to lean first into spirituality, because that is what grounds us, gives life meaning, and helps us deal with the chaos of the world. My own time in a monastery shaped this conviction, as did the life of Jesus, who chose compassion and healing over rigid rules.
Religion Must Never Be Confused with the Divine
Religion at its best is a container for spirituality, not God itself. It can provide sacred space, community, and guidance, but it must never be confused with the Divine. I think of our LGBTQ+ siblings, many of whom are deeply spiritual yet have been rejected by religious institutions. That exclusion has nothing to do with Spirit and everything to do with fear and condemnation — two things Jesus spoke against. In God’s eyes, they are beloved, just like everyone.
Distorted Religion
I also recognize how religion has been misused in history. Some of the worst human actions have been done in God’s name. Today, we see this in the rise of Christian Nationalism, which claims God favors one people or one nation above others. That is idolatry — making God in our own image. Such distorted religion harms both faith and society. True spirituality never excludes; it embraces.
God Isn’t a Box We Can Control
Recently, one of our members admitted she doesn’t believe in the God she was taught as a child. In some churches, that would be heresy. Here, it sparked inspiration. That’s because we’re not fixated on “right belief” but on seeking the Eternal Mystery. God isn’t a box we can control — God is bigger, messier, and more beautiful than that.
What Is Your Spirituality?
Spirituality weaves through all of life. It’s not tidy, but it grounds us in meaning and resilience. So I ask myself and you: what is your spirituality? How are you nurturing it? My hope is that this community offers a safe space to explore those questions and to discover, again and again, the Loving One who has been waiting for us all along.