Tolerance. In a word that is a strong issue with me. I think when people have decided that they know the "truth" that they have actually stopped learning and have started seperating themselves from the spirit. Though they proclaim their truth loudly in the name of god it rings hollow and creates wickedness (pain, intolerance, hatred, selfishness)

We all have pieces of truth. By sharing our truths and being open to others, life becomes a process of continual learning. Continual growth. As long as we live we cannot stop growing spiritually, cannot reach the pinacle. For if we stop growing, stop learning, we don't just stagnate - but actually lose spirituality. What little we have is taken from us.

Having grown up in a predominantly Christian nation, my spiritual musings do have a very western orientation. The basis of my belief system is the teaching of Jesus when he was asked what the greatest command was. He stated it in two parts. One: love god with all your heart and all your soul and all your mind. Two: Love your neighbor as yourself. As one learns and grows spritually both of those commands become one and the same. The love of god is the love of others as love towards others becomes the love of god.

The first command is that of spiritual growth. Develop what is moral, what is loving, what is worthwhile within yourself. Realize the true nature.

The second command leads directly to the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Further it also leads to the warning: with what measure you mete it will be measered against you.

That is the sum of spiritual behavior. How one treats others. That is the best measure we have to determine the spirituality of others. And it is not how one treats their fellows, how one treats family, friends or fellow believers that measures the existence of the spirit in ones life. It is how one treats those who believe differently than them, who even are in conflict with ones beliefs.

If one is a christian then does one treat muslims any differently than one treats fellow christians? Does one treat other denomenations (catholic, Jehovas witness, methodist, Unitarian) any different than their own denomenation? Does one treat homosexuals any differently than their own pastor? If so to any of these, one has violated directly the number one teaching of the prophet, the one many believe is the messiah.