Religion Vs. Spirituality?

[koneill08]

Good morning all!!

At the risk of starting a, hopefully healthy, debate!

I have this question. In one of the other threads I was reading this morning about IHOP one of the posters said something that struck me and I thought I would ask this question to see what others thought. The poster was talking about the good things about the IHOP church. I'm familiar with that whole group of "prophetic/apostolic" workers. Mike Bickle, Chuck Pierce, C. Peter Wagner, et al.

My first comment is that there is something very uplifting about being touched in a truly open, passionate experience of worship and praise through song. I miss it. However, there seems to be a diametrically opposed set of forces at work in those kinds of groups. 1) THe openness to the spirit at work through worship, prayer and praise. Yet at the same time, when not in worship, prayer, and praise there is this anger, hatred, and judgment using the "law" as it's basis for right and wrong. It's like the verse that says how can blessings and curses come from the same mouth, brothers and sisters this ought not be. Anyway, that's not my point in all this....

The poster said something about IHOP not allowing "religious spirits" there and that it was to a be a place of spirituality instead.

So here's my question(s). What is the difference between religious and spiritual? How do you know when one is at work vs. the other? What part does "structure" (as the poster stated) have to do with spirituality? Is "structure" compatible with spirituality or is it a sign that something religious is at work (think of how the history of the orthodox church and it's structure in the early centuries came to be when you think about this question). I would just like to know what others think about the differences. Because many people believe that religious has a negative impact where with spirituality there is much more "freedom."

What do you all think?

Hope your Saturday is going well.