I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your comments on this issue. Would anyone care to share their thoughts a bit more for my upcoming story? I can be reached in the office at 361-580-6303 or erodriguez@vicad.com.

Thank you again. This is a very complicated issue to dissect as a faith reporter, but I welcome your opinions.

-Erica R.

i don't find myself spiritual at most.
But i can read something, hear something that will move me... but i think that it is more of an emotional reaction to an equality or connection i have with the moment and/or person.

Mavrick - in a lot of cases you are correct. I too feel many religious places have become more of a big self serving business than charitable places...

I am a very true believer in our Lord Jesus and hour Heavenly Father above. I will admit, I do not attend church because of some of these very views you described. I do not have a problem with churches for the most part, but the question I always ask myself and others is... Would God want us making money off his name?! Would Our Lord Jesus want us to be selling his word?! All these so called people out there that write books and charge people money to read their beliefs about God and Jesus...Isn't that making profit off our God and his son?! There is no other way to put it really. Like the 500 club...man is that a joke! Not the religious aspect of it but the way they sneak in those ways of asking for money!

Or what about the fact that all Churches are exempt from taxes yet many I have attended in the past still would ask TAX payers, “could you just give a little more today!" Man, IDK...but it stumps me! Like I said, I am not in any way saying church is evil and they are all takers, not givers, but the many I have experienced sure did seem that way, I mean honestly, I have seen MANY preachers, Priests, driving some pretty nice cars and wearing pretty nice clothes.

Bottom line for ME, I DO NOT have to go to a church and put money in a plate every weekend to be a believer or for God to accept me! That's my way of thinking!

I'm sure I will have some comments on this...I'm ready!

I am both...I am a Christan and I have many spiritual beliefs and feelings towards many things. I feel being both has given me a better perspective on many personal things in my life. Spirituality and religion go hand in hand for me!

Does spirituality mean having the belief in miracles and that there is a higher power? And does being religious mean going to gatherings or services that are lead by men and women who are as flawed and as imperfect as the rest of us? Then yes, I may be more spiritual than religious. I know we are not the ones to judge, but religion has become more of a big business venture than a place of spiritual healing. With this economy the way it has been, churches are still taking our money and are still going strong. Where is the sacrifice for them? I will admit, I am lucky to have kept my job through all of these cuts and restructuring our company has done. The preachers, ministers, and priests aren't hurting at all. I guess one could argue that they have given up some things to follow the profession they are in... but isn't strange how they only build for themselves adding on new wings or just build whole new complexes. As big as some of those places are, the homeless should never be cold at night. But these places are locked up tight and some have round the clock security. Why? Do they not have faith enough and trust in the people that will be taking refuge there to just sleep and leave other things alone? That's my thought on religion. I can't wait to hear from a preacher, minister or priest.