Spiritual vs. Religious

I have a confession to make... I absolutely adore Tori Spelling.

My infatuation started years after her days on 90210. In fact, she might have just been my least favorite character on a show I came to know mostly from re-runs. However, over the past few years, I have been watching her show(s)-- Tori and Dean (Inn Love, Home Sweet Hollywood, etc.). I have come to love her little family... From an outsider perspective, of course. I think her husband Dean has to be one of the sweetest men alive and there are times when Tori is upset, that I feel her pain. I know, I don't need you to tell you how silly this is. SO, because of my feelings toward her and her family, I decided to buy her first book, sTORI Telling.

I have been reading along steadily (in what little spare time I have) and thoroughly enjoying her "no-holds-barred" stories from the inside of 90210, growing up in the biggest house in Hollywood with a crazy mom, and through the trials and tribulations of her first marriage (and divorce). I even forced myself to look past the fact that she and Dean were married when they met and had an extramarital affair before they both filed for divorce from their ex-spouses. Hey, who am I to judge?!

BUT-- She said something in her book that is hard for me to let go in my feelings of who she is as a person. She clearly states that she is "more spiritual than religious." Hmm... If I had a nickel for every time I've heard this mind-boggling statement (more often than not from the mouth of a celebrity), I'd be able to afford the $500 boots I've been wanting from Victorias Secret AND have plenty of money left over.

So what exactly do these much-loved stars mean by "spiritual." My guess, of course, is nothing but the speculation of a born and raised Christian. I believe that it's a half-hearted attempt to say "I believe in something (possibly a higher power, possibly even the same God Christians believe in), but because of my rebellious nature, I refuse to follow any sort of "organized religion." What is it about organized religion that turns people off? Oprah is a very valid example of spirituality vs. religion. She says she is spiritual, not religious, but if you ask me, ol' O is nothing but a fair-weather fan. She has a very large fan base, so she must keep all calm on the homefront... If she has a Buddhist on her show, she wants to seem overly-empathetic of that religion. If her guest of honor is a Scientologist, she will attempt to agree with him or her. In my humble opinion, all she is saying is "I don't know what I believe, so I follow the fad of the day." It's unfortunate if you ask me.

Once again, I am just stating my beliefs. I may buy the trendy clothes or cut my hair like Posh, but one thing that is NOT a fad is my belief system. It is unwavering. I believe that my Lord sent his son to save us from our sins.
Do I lend an ear and offer respect to others who believe differently than myself? Absolutely. But will I change my feelings because of a few strong-minded people with valid points? No, because that's not how my religion works... My religion is an unwavering, unchangeable part of who I am... All the way to the core.

Sorry Tori... Tonight we disagree.