Are religion and spirituality mutually exclusive?
Exclusion happens only when a religion defines itself in a way that prohibits spirituality. For example, consider the one-way exclusion related to astrology for Fundamentalist Christians. Here, an age-old form of spirituality is expressly prohibited by religion. Yet this same form of spirituality is perfectly acceptable within the religion of Hinduism. Many other religions take a neutral attitude, not expressly forbidding interest in astrology. For all these religions, spirituality is not considered a threat. Ironically, astrology is central to the Christmas story, where three wise men followed a star to find Jesus. Were those same wise men Christians today, they might have to conceal their spiritual interests when attending church. Today, many strong believers in organized religion do have to conceal their interest in spirituality. So long as they succeed in hiding that interest, they may worship at will. Of course, no corresponding exclusion forbids those with spiritual interests awa
