--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The important religious distinction is…" description: "\"“The important religious distinction is not between those who worship and those who do not worship but between those who love and those who don’t.”\" — ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfc/anthony-de-mello-1331_distinction_the-important-religious-distinction-is-n_1043140.png" --- # The important religious distinction is not between those… ![“The important religious distinction is not between those who worship and those who do not worship but between those who love and those who don’t.” quote by Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfc/anthony-de-mello-1331_distinction_the-important-religious-distinction-is-n_1043140.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfc/anthony-de-mello-1331_distinction_the-important-religious-distinction-is-n_1043140.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfc/anthony-de-mello-1331_distinction_the-important-religious-distinction-is-n_1043140.png) > ““The important religious distinction is not between those who worship and those who do not worship but between those who love and those who don’t.”” [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True spirituality is defined by love, not by worship or lack thereof. **In simple terms:** Love, not worship, defines true spirituality. Key Takeaway Cultivate love as the core of spiritual practice. Themes spirituality love belief Mood compassionate inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal meditation - community service - interfaith events - ethical decision making Key Concepts mysticism ethics interfaith dialogue Questions to Reflect On - How can you express love beyond rituals? - What obstacles hinder loving others? A Different Perspective Love can be difficult to practice universally. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Distinction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinction/) [Distinction Worship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distinction-worship-2449984/) [Important Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important-religious-2180280/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Religious Distinction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-distinction-2449983/) ## Related quotes > [Faith is important, even if you're not religious. 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But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/it-is-not-important-to-be-a-believer-it-is-not-important-to-be/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [The sense of a spiritual dimension in life is absolutely important, and the religious communities are also important. The question of believing in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elaine-pagels/the-sense-of-a-spiritual-dimension-in-life-is-absolutely-important/) [Elaine Pagels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elaine-pagels/) > [I do think it is very important that the religious communities do try to bring their teachings and their insights to bear on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sandel/i-do-think-it-is-very-important-that-the-religious-communities-do-try/) [Michael Sandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sandel/) > [Women covering their heads is traditional, but now we're seeing more and more women covering themselves from head to toe. 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The rich think they will be happy when they are rid of their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/the-poor-think-they-will-be-happy-when-they-become-rich-the-rich/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [You only change what you understand. What you do not understand and are not aware of, you repress. You dont change. But when you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/you-only-change-what-you-understand-what-you-do-not-understand-and/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [A zealous disciple expressed a desire to teach others the Truth and asked the Master what he thought about this. The Master said, "Wait."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/a-zealous-disciple-expressed-a-desire-to-teach-others-the-truth-and/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [As the Arabs say, "The nature of rain is the same, but it makes thorns grow in the marshes and flowers in the gardens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/as-the-arabs-say-the-nature-of-rain-is-the-same-but-it-makes-thorns/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [Sinners often speak the truth. And saints have led people astray. Examine what is said, not the one who says it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/sinners-often-speak-the-truth-and-saints-have-led-people-astray/) [Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/) > [Isn't there such a thing as social liberation?" "Of course there is," said the Master. "How would you describe it?" 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