What is spirituality and religion? Are they different?

[Beautiful_Epona]

To give the curmudgeon’s answer:

One often describes themselves as “spiritual but not religious” if they are too lazy or weak-willed to commit to a religion but still want to have some way of justifying themselves as a “good person”

Wow
I do not agree with this!

I believe a Spiritual person is one seeking God/enlightenment (or whatever you may want to call it).

Some people cannot accept one religion or another completely, and I think this is ok. There are so many beautiful aspects of all of the religions, it is so hard to choose.

I do not think it makes a person ‘lazy or weak-willed’. This is an terrible thing to say. I think it makes a person, if anything, more open-minded, more willing to accept others, and more respectful of other religions.

How can you be weak-willed if your whole life you are seeking and searching, spiritually?
It is actually very tiring.

All paths lead to the same place, it is just the journey that may vary.

 

[Beautiful_Epona]

“Religion” is what you do with others.

“Spirituality” is what you do alone, in the depths of your heart.

Now this I agree with.:yup:

Perfectly said. Spirituality is a very deep personal thing. Often it requires a lot of soul searching to achieve happiness and contentment spiritually. By yourself you can be true to yourself. You have no one there watching you, no one to impress.

At Church it may be experienced where you feel you need to ‘dress a certain standard’, not show your tattoo’s, pray correctly, or whatever it may be. There are standards, is my point.

When you are at home, just connecting with the Great Spirit/God, it’s just you and him.

 

[TypesAndShadows]

Wow
I do not agree with this!

I believe a Spiritual person is one seeking God/enlightenment (or whatever you may want to call it).

Some people cannot accept one religion or another completely, and I think this is ok.

While I do respect that this is what you personally mean by the word, I have heard so many people say they are “Spiritual, not religious” and mean simply that they buy into a vague new age wishy-washy sensitive-to-auras crystals and ghosts sort of idea, very fad-driven, and seem to think this makes them very ‘deep’ or ‘developed’, despite being unable to sustain a true conversation on various belief systems and philosophies. Often accompanied by Orientalism or similar mystifying of other cultures, which is at heart racist. It’s like they’ve bought into an idea that having a feeling about something is more important than anything else. The sort of person who says, “I’m a very spiritual sort of person”: I think, like a sense of humour, it’s something people only say when it isn’t true.

It is used so heavily in this way that I think it is hard to use it another way, since what people will hear is the boastfully shallow meaning. And it’s tricky, because there were times when I was in a place more like you describe, when I was very unsure about religions, but still praying sometimes and investigating religions, and sure that there was something beyond the material. But I could never say I was ‘spiritual, not religious’ at that time, because it implies a particular sort of view which is often associated with that phrase, and which I could never buy into. And someone like St Theresa of Avila was both deeply spiritual and religious.

 

[CopticChristian]

While I do respect that this is what you personally mean by the word, I have heard so many people say they are “Spiritual, not religious” and mean simply that they buy into a vague new age wishy-washy sensitive-to-auras crystals and ghosts sort of idea, very fad-driven, and seem to think this makes them very ‘deep’ or ‘developed’, despite being unable to sustain a true conversation on various belief systems and philosophies. Often accompanied by Orientalism or similar mystifying of other cultures, which is at heart racist. It’s like they’ve bought into an idea that having a feeling about something is more important than anything else. The sort of person who says, “I’m a very spiritual sort of person”: I think, like a sense of humour, it’s something people only say when it isn’t true.

It is used so heavily in this way that I think it is hard to use it another way, since what people will hear is the boastfully shallow meaning. And it’s tricky, because there were times when I was in a place more like you describe, when I was very unsure about religions, but still praying sometimes and investigating religions, and sure that there was something beyond the material. But I could never say I was ‘spiritual, not religious’ at that time, because it implies a particular sort of view which is often associated with that phrase, and which I could never buy into. And someone like St Theresa of Avila was both deeply spiritual and religious.

I understand your sentiment. Think of this as a means of speaking of Spirituality with someone and sharing your spirituality. I have found it useful to speak to these people without being so clear on my intent. For instance I had a conversation with someone last night about something and I said…

I appreciate that you are honest…I appreciate that you are concerned for what happens to your self and others. I appreciate that you see what is happening and what is being done by these other people is not correct…

Now I could have said the commandments tell us not to lie and Jesus said to love others as ourselves…As Christians we are to be Charitable and rebuke wrongdoing…we should always seek the truth.

Dialogue is an avenue that has been opened by the notion of Spirituality whatever it may be.

 

[Marybeloved]

I love all your posts. You have a sound Catholic mind. I offer this. You are discussing a noun and adjective. They are two different things. Religion is something. Relgiosity is something someone does. It would be safe to say that we should not confuse the two. What does happen is that Religion can become a concrete named thing that may cause cofusion. For example. Show me where you stepped on religion? Where is a bowl full of Religion? I think I left my religion at home in my drawer. It is not something that exists as a thing per se. Religiosity is something you can see that someone does as an act. It is descriptive of something someone does.

Didn’t see this post earlier. You’re right, I think I get from you and Telstar what the subtleties are. And thank you for the compliment my friend. Likewise

Peace!

 

[Beautiful_Epona]

While I do respect that this is what you personally mean by the word, I have heard so many people say they are “Spiritual, not religious” and mean simply that they buy into a vague new age wishy-washy sensitive-to-auras crystals and ghosts sort of idea, very fad-driven, and seem to think this makes them very ‘deep’ or ‘developed’, despite being unable to sustain a true conversation on various belief systems and philosophies. Often accompanied by Orientalism or similar mystifying of other cultures, which is at heart racist. It’s like they’ve bought into an idea that having a feeling about something is more important than anything else. The sort of person who says, “I’m a very spiritual sort of person”: I think, like a sense of humour, it’s something people only say when it isn’t true.

It is used so heavily in this way that I think it is hard to use it another way, since what people will hear is the boastfully shallow meaning. And it’s tricky, because there were times when I was in a place more like you describe, when I was very unsure about religions, but still praying sometimes and investigating religions, and sure that there was something beyond the material. But I could never say I was ‘spiritual, not religious’ at that time, because it implies a particular sort of view which is often associated with that phrase, and which I could never buy into. And someone like St Theresa of Avila was both deeply spiritual and religious.

Yes, it is true, that this is only my 'personal opinion, of course. I understand your point, although don’t completely agree with it all, especially the part of some beliefs being racist.

St.Theresa was a deeply spiritual and of course religious woman, and I do think it is possible to be both or only one…spiritual or religious.

I think what you said about people that say “I am a spiritual person” and likely they actually are not, I don’t agree. I was born and raised a Catholic, and have been on an amazing spiritual journey for over 15 years. I think the ‘yearning’ the searching the love that others can feel for something deeper, above themselves, something higher. They are spiritual people. The are searching, they have faith in something else, so I believe this makes them extremely spiritual.

Just my views of course.

Blessings to you.