What is Religion?

Religion is the love of God and our neighbor; that is, every person under the heaven.  This love ruling the whole life, animating all our tempers and passions, directing all our thoughts, words, and actions, is "pure religion and undefiled."

Now, will anyone be so hardy as to say, that love is misery?  Is it misery to love God? to give Him my heart who alone is worthy of it?  Nay, it is the truest happiness; indeed, the only true happiness which is to be found under the sun.  So does all experience prove that justness of that reflection which was made long ago,

"Thou hast made us for thyself; and our heart cannot rest, until it resteth in thee."

Or does anyone imagine, the love of our neighbor is misery; even the loving every person as our own soul?  So far from it, that, nest to the love of God, this affords the greatest happiness of which we are capable.

-John Wesley "The Writings of John Wesley"