Mark Twain once had a heart to heart discussion on religion with a prominent Boston business man, well known for his ruthless business practices. With great sincerity, the businessman told the writer, ‘Before I die I mean to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I will climb Mount Sinai and read the Ten Commandments aloud at the top.’ ‘I have a better idea,’ replied Twain. ‘Why don’t you just stay in Boston and keep them.’

Religious acts, no matter how impressive they may seem, are no substitute for true spirituality. Jesus once said to a group of people, ‘Why do you call me Lord, when you don’t do what I say?’ The Old Testament prophet summed it all up when he said, ‘What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.