Do religions represent God?

[Little Rik]

Got to go along with F&F's definition.

But Rik, the difference you're trying to make between spiritualism and religion is problematic.  It would be more clear if you called it the difference between practicing a religion and seeking religious experience, like a shaman.  If one goes walk about in the wilderness long enough, or ingests 'shrooms/peyote, or engages in a sun dance in order to provoke a vision which one interprets for himself .. then one has engaged in direct religious experience.  But if you work with a priest/master the guided exercises and study is more akin to the religious training of the priest class than it is to the direct religious experience of a shaman.  Direct religious experience is dangerous.  No one who joins the priest/swami class can claim to be above/outside religion.  You are firmly anchored in your tradition every bit as much as any catholic priest, Rik.

You confuse external experiences with internal knowledge as in spirituality.
Religions and peyotes are external experiences that lead nowhere.
From internal knowledge as in spirituality you can not possibly go wrong.
God is within.
The seed is within and by allow the seed to sprout you understand who you really are.