To me the word "spiritual" connotes that there is some type of supernatural consciousness; and, for this reason, I avoid using it. I think some atheists use it because it is the word that best describes what they are feeling, even though they do not attach anything supernatural to it.

EVERYTHING humans experience is internal. There is no "out there" there.

Feeling connected to the universe is just that, a FEELING. And the universe does not give a shit how you feel.

"Feelings, nothing more than feelings."

What is religion? In the western world, it seems to be the praising of a God based on abusive fathers because we darn well better. We are so afraid of this guy that we help him abuse. We have burned witches. Hopefully, there isn't much of that going on anymore. But there is all of the preaching that makes people look down on us. What if one wonders about ultimate reality but does not want to take part in the abuse. I guess we need a term for that.

It's become a meaningless word, because of what you are discovering. Everyone you ask uses the word to mean something different. I used to use it when was coming out of religion. I still thought I believed in god, but not the god of my ancestors, it was a new and improved god, and I became "spiritual not religious". It was just the path I chose out of my religion.
It sounds silly to me now, but I was dead serious about it at the time. I used to debate atheists, because I thought I'd found the truth about god.

I looked it up spiritual in a dictionary many years ago. There were 9 definitions, the first 8 were theist or mysticism based. The 9th definition made sense to me, but I don't use the word because of the other definitions.

#9 was "Pertaining to mind or intellect."

"Spiritual" is one of those words that can be fraught with ambiguity. The goalpost on its definition seems to move too easily for the word to have any real value. I tend to avoid using it for that reason. I had a friend tell me once about 30 years ago that, for an atheist, I was one of the most spiritual people she knew. I gave up ever trying to get that statement to make any sense. Not even sure she had any idea what she meant by saying it.

The term spiritual is misused more oft than not. It is inconsistent. In one sentence it means an actual spirit, in the next wonder, in the next, awe of nature, in the next some emotion>
BUT they then tend to be all conflated into the same paragraph.

I am an Ignostic

I was raised a believer
AS a believer I thought understanding God of the utmost import.
SO I studied that.
Which is why I am today an Igtheist/Ignostic

Ignosticism is an Epistomologic position; it is a set of ideas refuting the importance of determining the existence of God. It claims that knowledge regarding the reality of God is altogether unprofitable.

It is the idea that every theological position assumes too much about the concept of God and other theological concepts; including (but not limited to) concepts of faith, spirituality, heaven, hell, afterlife, damnation, salvation, sin and the soul.

IF you cannot even define what you are talking about, or consider it beyond human understanding, how is it you can claim to know anything about it and keep your intellectual integrity intact?

Ignosticism or igtheism is the idea that the question of the existence of God is meaningless because the term god has no coherent and unambiguous definition.

I agree with you.. And honestly, I don’t know what’s up with ‘Agnostics,’ either Perhaps both are a stepping stone to reality, freedom.

Having spent many years in backward to regressive enclaves of the USA, often the best I can do is find someone willing to call themselves spiritual, as opposed to religious... Though, my first & best friend in a new rural setting described himself as Atheist!

My cold observations would describe those not having shaken religion or spirituality as scared. The fearful, ..hesitant way they’ll apologetically describe being ‘spiritual,’ or perhaps ‘agnostic.’ Sure, my ancestors may not have ended up with me & mine had they openly exhibited ..or spoken of doubt. But in this day & age?

Though, It’s quite obvious around here how many are in the midst of escaping religion … so (as mentioned), if baby steps are required - bring em on, better walking ..than crawling ~

Like The Police claimed in their famous hit song: "We are spirits in the material world".....

That's the only way I think of myself being described as spiritual....but not including any kind of supernatural belief system. Just a curiosity of what life means beyond owning and consuming things. I suppose it is a focus on the inner life, self improvement and mental health in order to achieve happiness and contentment. In spite of the material world and all its challenges and demands
(including social relationships!)