Lots of Religion but little spirituality

Over at preemtive karma Carla observes that while religion plays an increasingly powerful roll in the US there is very little spirituality. All you have to do is take a rational look at the history of the institution of the Christian Church and you will realize this is nothing new. Organized religion has always been more about consolidating power than it was about spirituality. The Roman Christian Church, from which all western Christian denominations originate, is no exception. The Romans, like all empire building societies, were very good at using religion as a political tool. From it's inception the Roman Christian Church was just such a political tool. It was used for centuries to legitamize kings Positions in the church hierarchy were not given on the basis of spirituality but were political rewards. In reality the Roman Empire did not fall but continued in the form of the Roman Catholic Church. While the Roman Church no longer has the power it once had it is still a powerful force and the Evangelical movement is no exception. The Republican party has effectively used the church and without it would not be in power today. Look how easily Ralph Reed went from the head of the Christian Coalition to a high paid lobbyist extorting money from Indian Tribes. Jerry Fallwell supports public policy that is not in the best interests of his "flock" because it is in his best interest. The United States is spiritually starved because the denominations that have the most power are lacking spirituality. This situation is not an anomaly, is not anything new but the rule. The way it has been from the beginning.