I believe there is an important distinction to be made between religion and spirituality. Religion I take to be concerned with belief in the claims to salvation of one faith tradition or another--an aspect of which is acceptance of some form of meta-physical or philosophical reality, including perhaps an idea of heaven or hell. Connected with this are religious teachings or dogma, ritual, prayers and so on. Spirituality I take to be concerned with those qualities of the human spirit--such as love and compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, contentment, a sense of responsibility, a sense of harmony, which bring happiness to both self and others.
-His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Beautifully put and wonderfully self-explanatory. It is the dogmas that religion preaches, and the rituals which are not even understood, that shackle people. Even well-educated people get caught in the web of ritualism, losing sight of that Loving, Omniscient and Omnipresent God/Father/Supreme Being/Supreme Power. There is only one Golden Rule which is that we must treat everyone as we ourselves would like to be treated. And we would like to be treated with compassion, tolerance and forgiveness. If we followed this we would become spiritual beings, & therefore contented and responsible beings. For centuries the Brahmins and priests have kept people chained to rituals, making religious practices so important that the whole purpose of it is lost, and there is this paralyzing fear of Divine retribution which they hold over the head. This road does not lead to spirituality which would make us. in effect, better people. This road does not lead to the realization that within each of us there is a Divine Spark. It is this Divine Spark that we have to search for deep within ourselves, and recognise its presence in others. This is the only thing that would make our lives supremely fulfilling.