Religious vs. Spiritual

I had a discussion the other day with my sister-in-law on religion. She's a very set, yet open Catholic (nothing's going to sway her beliefs, but she IS open enough to understand someone else's point of view regarding belief and can accept them).

Now, the discussion went on to become about religion vs. spiritualism. Now, it wasn't a debate or anything heated, I just merely mentioned my idea about what religion is and what spiritualism is (to me).

Religion: I stated that my belief is that religion is created to tell people what to believe. Essentially that's true. Look at the Church. For centuries they have told people what they can and cannot believe in. The MUST believe the bible is the 100% true word of God, but mustn't believe in other Gods (even though they are out there). Religion services to hinder "free thought", even though they are given free will to make the choices they wish...however, if they choose something that goes against what the church believes, they're labelled a heretic and burned at the stake. Free will exists in the church so long as the followers choose what the church wants them to. It's not free will if one goes against the church...it's "Satan's Choice".

Spirituality: In my view, spirituality is the freedom to believe whatever you like and not be confined by the rules and regulations of organized religions. You can believe in Jesus if you like, but also see that other deities exist in the vast universe that is our home. You don't have to adhere to specified books, prophets, whatever to dictate what you can and can't believe because you have the true freedom to believe what you like. You have true FREE WILL. Whatever choices you make are your choices; not any churches, not any devils.

***(I've intentionally left this open ended as I feel this is a never ending topic that I may return to, to add more thoughts).