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What do you think people mean when they say they are spiritual, not religious?

GarytheGondolier 6 Apr 10
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20 comments

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0

A so called "spiritual]" person is , most likely, one who has participated in organized religion, become disallusioned and stopped attending church but still believes in a 'prime source".

0

I havent a baldie! Soem thing s I just tune out.

0

Rather than think about the word "spiritual" it would be more helpful to talk about wonder, empathy, conscousness, amazement, awe, and probably a few more concepts that don't spring to my mind at the present moment.

The problem is that many of us would be hard pressed to differentiate between some feelings/ideas, let alone accurately identify and express them.

0

They probably just do yoga or meditation. Namaste or whatever.

1

Lazy ??

0

I try not to. Think that is.

I ask them directly what they mean by it. Most of the time they descibe different things, some make some sense of it, others don't. Many are describing empathy+ as I call it.

1

I think most of them believe in some kind of unseen "force", which may or not be god, but they don't adhere to any kind of organized religion.

2

Spirituality seems to mean that "I don't have the courage to really let go of superstitions"

0

"All aboard the woo train"

0

They may say spiritual only because they don't want to be blunt to say they don't give a rats ass about anything?

0

Believe in higher power just not organized religion. I was there for a while.

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I'm irrational, just not highly.

3

It strikes me as a cop out. What does it even mean? Nothing beyond the natural has ever been proven so I have no need for it.

0

It is indeed very vague. I prefer it to blindly following all the practices/beliefs of one religion, as at least it shows that this person has realized that no one religion/sect has all the answers. But I also think that they have not thought about the issue long/hard enough to reach the conclusion that there is likely no supernatural realm.

3

I know people who believe in God, but not religious institutions.

1

I see no use for it. Usually they describe the feeling of awe as being spiritual. Why? I have no clue. No one can define any of it and it means completely different things to like everyone. Vague at best. Why not just say you're awe-inspired? Then again why is it nessesary to label yourself as being capable of feeling awe? EDIT: It does make some sense I suppose if the person believes in something supernatural, but does not practice an organized religion.

1

That they live their lives with ideals, that are religious or otherwise (socially, empathically of others, naturalistically, etc.), and that are above simply eating, breathing, sleeping and working.

3

To me spirituality is believing in a deity. Being religious is believe in and/or participating in organized religion.

2

Spiritual implies a "spirit" or supernatural domain, which is no different than what religionists believe. IMHO

6

I generally think they haven't accepted reality.
'Spirituality' is just hedging.

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