I just got back from a meditation retreat, and I got some lunch at Bubba's Diner - where they state on the menu that they just try to make friends one meal at a time, and discussion of politics and religion are $10 up front.
Whether it's politics, religion, philosophy or whatever - these are all just thought systems. What I'm interested in is people who live an authentic life, and whether that includes any particular world view is secondary, and frankly those views are barely of interest to me. Of course this doesn't mean you necessarily agree with them or even like them, but you can't deny that there is something to someone who just walks the walk as they say. And this isn't the old 'applying bible principle' BS, it doesn't come from a thought at all. You have probably seen atleast a small glimpse of this, someone that is so fully engaged with life that they don't try to make it into something an idea says it should be, they are too busy living, if only for a moment.
During my retreat when I had interviews with these teachers they mostly wanted to 'encourage' me to meditate more and better because they see some potential, but the difference between me and them is I don't have this belief that meditation is the sh!t - my deepest experiences come effortlessly on their own, this particular time it was mostly from being in nature, and even when it wasn't it sure as hell wasn't from doing things the way it is 'supposed' to be done. If anything, I would have to say whole heartedly that religious attitude holds people back from their spiritual development - however you might understand that word.
This is why I appreciate it when there's someone asking on the board about becoming a JW or being an active one, and the answer is not at all derogatory or pressuring in any way. This to me is the smartest attitude, because you are not responding to the pressure of a mental prison with more pressure, even if the intent is to free them. The response itself is that you are free to choose, and under the right circumstances the person can just relax and be like "oh, it's up to me." This doesn't mean you don't share any pertinent information you might have, but the attitude is wise in that you've in effect pointed out they are free, it IS up to them. Even if they are still confused and pressured, that is the beginning.
Here is a poem I've posted here before on more than one occasion, so I will just post a link. It is The Journey by Mary Oliver: (the page was just found with a Google search)
http://www.breakoutofthebox.com/journey.htm
