E
Elzee
Guest
Our priest makes ths distinction time - he admires ‘spiritual’ people but not ‘religious’ people.
“I want people to say nice things about me at my funeral, but I’m too lazy/confused to really figure out what it is that I believe in, or to commit to anything that might require that I recover from my addictions, or take the initiative to reconcile with estranged friends and family members.”Short and simple:
What are your ideas on the statement “I’m spiritual but not religious.”
This doesn’t make sense to me-Our priest makes ths distinction time - he admires ‘spiritual’ people but not ‘religious’ people.
Yup. 100%. I know, because I used to say it. When I didn’t want to get out of bed to go to church in the morning. Or when I wanted to make my own choices, knowing good and well that the bible said ‘no’. Or when I felt guilty because I wasn’t even living up to my own expectations, let alone anyone else’s.It’s a cop out.
The term “religious” to “spiritual” people sometimes has as negative connotation. Think of the Pharisees - they knew the letter of the law, but they didn’t know the spirit of the law.This doesn’t make sense to me-
When you say that you admire “spiritual” people, but not “religious” people, you are implying that people who are religious are not spiritual. If you say someone is “religious but not spiritual” you are really saying that they are practicing a religion without faith or devotion, and so that differentiation is impossible.
If they are going through the motions of a religious action, that doesn’t make them religious-it makes them tired.
I think that the role of spirituality in one’s sense of their own religious identity is underemphasized. A religious person must, by definition (see the Catholic Dictionary by Hardon) operate according to a defined spirituality.
To say someone is religious but not spiritual is to say that they fly the flag, march in parades, etc, but are not patriotic.
To say someone is spiritual but not religious is to say that they are patriotic, but they do not have a residence in or even citizenship in any country-effectively leaving their patriotism meaningless and empty.
I could not agree more! In fact, when one claims to believe in a “force”, or “higher being”, or “energy”, I have to wonder what kind of personal relationship they could have with this “entity” that doesn’t even have a name? I could hardly feel secure about “energy” presenting the truth of life or the guidelines of existence. In my own personal experience, claiming “spirituality” without religion is usually a way to escape the truth while still claiming some transcendent experience. puzzleannie is right: their religion is the worship of self.being spiritual in its broadest sense that even a new-ager can understand means being attuned to movements of the Spirit within oneself and aware of one’s spiritual needs, beyond the wordly bodily needs. Being religious means awareness and acceptance of the Source of the Spirit, seeking knowledge of that Source, and ultimately loving Him. Religion in all its manifestations is rendering to God what is owed to Him–worship, praise, thanks, contrition, adoration, obedience.
someone who claims to be spiritual but not religious is fooling themselves, because they refuse to acknowledge the origins of spiritual impulses, and yes they do have a religion, they worship their own egos, senses, emotions and gratifications of the spiritual impulse without rendering any duty to God.
Oh my. What memories. Since I came into AA over 22 years ago, I have heard lots of “AA is a spiritual program, but not a religious program. AA is not allied with any sect or denomination” But they say the CHRISTIAN Lord’s Prayer at meetings, and the Protestant version at that. (Most of early AA were Protestants.)Short and simple:
What are your ideas on the statement “I’m spiritual but not religious.”
I think that this statement presents an impossible circumstance. Spirituality and religion can’t really be separated because religion is a spirituality which a group of people (could be 10 people, could be 10 million) agree upon and participate in. I think that those who claim to be “spiritual but not religious” are really just trying to be a “one-person religion” where they make the rules and attempt to define God in their own image.
There is an EXCLENT pamphlet put out by AA titled “A Member’s Eye View of AA”. It gives a superb overview of the AA program as it should be, and as it sometimes lapses. Including trying to make AA a sort of spiritual ghetto. If you have an AA Central Office in your area, you can pick up copies there. Otherwise, try an open AA meeting.I think for a lot of people in AA, AA itself is their religion.
I suppose one could do worse, all things considered.
That was a couple of weeks ago. I remember thinking, “I wish I had thought of that!”Father Groeschel’s “Schleppitude” theory is great – I think I saw the episode where he refers to this saying
I agree. I was a little harsh but here in Los Angeles the people that say this are the same ones that bash “organized religion” and view Catholicism as archaic and out of touch and often have very low opinions of us personally. I do have a lot of bitterness but I have been through the mill here – it is something I am working on.Ooh! This thread makes me so mad!
If someone is spiritual but not religious, why call them names and make assumptions about their vices? The Catholic religion is True and Authentic. It should be preached to anyone who says “I have spirituality but no religion.”
First preach – then kick the dust of your sandles. Not the other way 'round.
I think probably what the priest meant was ‘spiritual’ people are those who have a deep and personal relationship with God and we see them living their faith as faithfully as they should. They are the people who hears the word of God and act on it. ‘Religious’ people would be those who would probably tend to ‘show-off’ their piety and devotional practices but do not practice the teachings of her religion in real life.There are so many of this ‘religious’ kind in parishes. They are actively involved for instance in charitable outreaches but when you enter their homes they do not treat their househelp charitably. Maybe the priest was referring to these kind of people.Our priest makes ths distinction time - he admires ‘spiritual’ people but not ‘religious’ people.
I think the writers of the Bible did a lot of that, since not everything noted as pertaining to God was ever actually stated by God through prophets, or by Jesus.I think that those who claim to be “spiritual but not religious” are really just trying to be a “one-person religion” where they make the rules and attempt to define God in their own image.
The OP said:Maybe. Maybe not. That’s not relevant to the question at hand. The question is “can someone be spiritual and not religious?” and vice versa.
What’s your view on that?
Those are my ideas.What are your ideas on the statement “I’m spiritual but not religious.”