The thing is that none of these are necessarily bad. Religion, as much as we tear it apart because of the way it has been used and abused, is not bad in its rightful place and spirit. As a way to learn about and grow closer to God religion is a necessary aspect of life, and when it is defined as a particular system of faith and worship or a pursuit or interest to which someone places great importance, it's easy to throw even atheism and spirituality into the mix of religions. We are made for relationship, so getting along with others is an important part of life. My wife's upcoming heart surgery would be impossible without the heavy duty drugs they will administer. For those who can indulge in moderation, there are benefits to some alcohol consumption. Eating is necessary for life. Sex is a pleasure created by God and without it none of us would be here. I could go on, but I am sure you get the point.
Idolatry is when we take a good thing and make it an all thing, a god thing. When something we were made to use begins to use us. And the truth that those of us who have come to the point of desperation found in Step 1, that are lives are unmanageable and that we can not control what is controlling us, have learned is that there is never enough. What worked at first stops working and or becomes more destructive than helpful. Religion without relationship will beat you up and leave you miserable and you can't please everyone. No matter how much you drink, drug, eat, buy, accumulate, win, etc., it never satisfies. Not long, and not well. We are insatiable, and rarely only in the area of our addiction and bondage. We are never satisfied long by anything, and always needs more or different or stronger.
Insatiability will drive us to despair and destruction if we don't find the answer. St. Augustine said that our hearts are restless until we find our rest in God. Spiritual food is the only thing that will satisfy spiritual hunger. The things of this world are not bad in themselves and in their proper use and purpose, but they are not enough. Even religion and spirituality is empty of spiritual calories that feed and nourish without the relationship. Created things will leave us empty because our hearts will never be satisfied with anything less than communion with our Creator. Jesus is the cup that won't run dry and the food that satisfies, Daddy is the source or love and acceptance that never changes and doesn't have to be earned, and the Spirit is our comfort and refuge and escape from that which makes life unbearable. Relationship with God is the only thing that truly satisfies and gives us a life worth living. Our insatiability is satisfied only by our connection to a limitless Creator.
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