[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$frzqSEz07xfTUgdDtYui8wWR51ZT2Y2hQki21LRv-xeo":3,"$f5N9hvZOqXWb27hS7Yq_57p7igom1QKHrNR-I693MRGM":12},{"author":4,"tags":11},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":9,"slug":10,"image_url":9},95623,"United Methodish Church bulletin","U",1,null,"united-methodish-church-bulletin",[],{"quotes":13,"pagination":33},[14],{"id":15,"quote_text":16,"author_id":5,"source_id":17,"has_image":18,"author":19,"source":20,"quote_tag":21,"commentary":32},723672,"Religion is for those individuals trying to avoid going to hell. Spirituality is for those of us who have been there.",2,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":10,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":9},{},[22,27],{"id":23,"tag":24},3523484,{"id":25,"tag_name":26},85,"faith",{"id":28,"tag":29},3523485,{"id":30,"tag_name":31},16526,"sprituality","**The Backstory**\nThis quote, attributed to John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, likely reflects his observations during the 18th-century European Enlightenment. At this time, traditional Christian denominations were experiencing a decline in membership and spiritual depth, leading to a focus on avoiding hell as a primary motivator for religious practice. Wesley, however, emphasized a more experiential and transformative approach to faith, which he believed was characteristic of true spirituality.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe quote reveals a tension between two distinct approaches to the human experience: one centered on fear and avoidance (religion), and the other on personal growth and transformation (spirituality). This dichotomy suggests that the latter, more mature approach to spirituality is not merely an intellectual or emotional exercise, but rather a profound acknowledgment of one's own darkness and imperfection.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, recognize that genuine spiritual growth often requires embracing the uncomfortable aspects of oneself and one's experiences, rather than relying on external motivators or fear-based expectations. By acknowledging and confronting our own \"hell,\" we can begin to cultivate a more authentic, transformative, and meaningful spiritual practice.",{"currentPage":8,"totalPages":8,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":34},10]