... interpretations of sacred texts, and debates over the validity of science versus the provability of religious beliefs. These are but a few of the issues which present duality associated with religion and a divine entity. Perhaps this is why religion is a topic which should not be discussed within polite social settings. Functional vs. Faith Perspective In the interview portion of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist, the author makes a distinction between religion and spirituality when he states that, "...religion for me is a way of having discipline and collective worship with persons who share the same mystery" (Coelho, 1988, ¶3). While this may not be the prevailing theory or distinction which separates spirituality from religion, the quote provides a starting point for clarification. There exist many formal and institutionalized religions, as well as informal systems of religious or spiritual beliefs that proliferate this globe. Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, and Wicca ...

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