What does being spiritual not religious mean to you?

sun rise · Apr 21, 2019

9-10ths_Penguin said:
I don't know enough him to say whether he was actually a universalist or was trying to co-opt the beliefs of other religions into his own religious worldview.

I can't gainsay that stance on your part. There's a healthy middle ground between swallowing anything someone tells you and automatically denying what someone says. If the question interests you enough, you'll do your own research and make up your own mind. And that to me is how it should work.

shunyadragon · Apr 21, 2019

' Being spiritual and not religious' is an oxymoron. It is often used to use 'religion or religious' as stone words to throw at other people who believe differently. It is kind of in vogue today among among the smug spiritually elite,

Zita · Apr 21, 2019

LuisDantas said:
Here in Brazil, while you are technically correct, a "spiritualist" is understood to also be an animist (although most are not even aware of the term "animism").

Interestingly, Brazilian Spiritism has a strong interest in syncreting itself with Catholicism, or perhaps it would be more correct to say that it co-opts its superficial trappings. There is even a splitter group that presents itself as a spiritual successor of Islaam, despite the well documented abhorrance of that creed towards animism.

LuisDantas said:

Here in Brazil, while you are technically correct, a "spiritualist" is understood to also be an animist (although most are not even aware of the term "animism").

Interestingly, Brazilian Spiritism has a strong interest in syncreting itself with Catholicism, or perhaps it would be more correct to say that it co-opts its superficial trappings. There is even a splitter group that presents itself as a spiritual successor of Islaam, despite the well documented abhorrance of that creed towards animism.

The exact relationship between the African-inspirated "Umbanda" and Kardecist Spiritism is a permanently controversial subject matter. There are periods of more friendly relations, alternated with emphatic claims of divergence.

Click to expand...

The exact relationship between the African-inspirated "Umbanda" and Kardecist Spiritism is a permanently controversial subject matter. There are periods of more friendly relations, alternated with emphatic claims of divergence.

SalixIncendium said:
While they might not be mainstream, there are organized religions that practice exactly what you describe above.

But I digress. Most who identify with spirituality rather than religion do so because they find identifying with one specific religion limiting in one's spiritual development.

I am not a medium, that is a person who summons a dead person to talk with them or can see the dead. I never said I do this. that is not a spiritualist,

Zita · Apr 21, 2019

LuisDantas said:
I don't doubt that the word has different meanings in other contexts, but the one that you point out is very usual here in Brazil. It is used mainly by Spiritists (Animists) who do not want to be perceived as representatives of the organized Kardecist movement. In that sense, it is a claim of noncommitment, not much unlike "Spiritual" itself relates to religion.

However, I get the sense that the OP is not talking about animism and/or Spiritualism at all, @loverofhumanity .

In practice, both "Spiritualist" and "Spiritual" strike me as code words requesting the interlocutors not to be too questioning and to keep the conversation at levels and matters that do not invite confrontation. "Spiritualist" presumes an animist bent and, usually, a belief or even a definite interest in mediunic phenomena, while "Spiritual" tends to hint at a lack of such animism and at a general, perhaps unfocused theistic belief.

I guess that is fair enough. But it is also slightly frustrating. Ironically, the net effect is that I end up perceiving both groups as uninterested in true religious matters.

spiritualist does not mean religion! yes religious people are spiritual too but they are not in the practice of studying spiritualism. as a person who defines themselves a spiritual.

Zita · Apr 21, 2019

LuisDantas said:
Whenever I see anyone claim to be spiritual but not religious, I conclude that such a person would prefer not to be perceived as aligned with any specific religion for some reason.

Meanwhile, that same person also does not want to be perceived as entirely opposed to religious practices and values, and seeks refuge in the word "spiritual".

Really not much to go on. It is all but impossible to tell from that alone whether the person proper is himself or herself a critic of religions, either in general or in some specific scope. It might instead be just an attempt at distancting oneself from controversy, or a pure ideological incompatibility, or even simple lack of awareness of the true diversity of religions and religious stances.

The "spiritual" part is even less informative. There is hardly anyone living that would go out of their way to claim not to be spiritual. All that I can truly conclude is that the person will probably not also claim to be a materialist... but then again, it is exceedingly rare for anyone to claim to be a materialist.

you are exactly right I don't agree with religion I am a critic of religion and that is why I say I am spiritual and pracitce and believe as I do.However I have no problem saying I am opposed to religion and I do find refuge and safety in the word spiritual be cause it describes who I am.

Vinayaka · Apr 21, 2019

Zita said:
you are exactly right I don't agree with religion I am a critic of religion and that is why I say I am spiritual and pracitce and believe as I do.However I have no problem saying I am opposed to religion and I do find refuge and safety in the word spiritual be cause it describes who I am.

I'm curious. What does religion meant to you? Do you have any particular religions in mind when you say this?

Fool · Apr 21, 2019

Zita said:
I've been asked so many times what is my religion? and when I say that I am not religious ,I am spiritual don't really get what I really mean.I explain to them that there is a difference because religion is limited in there practice of spirituality.I use different ways of seeking spirituality!! ways that most religions say are wicked or of the devil.I get messages from the spiritual realm by reading tarot cards, I get messages from the spiritual realm from using the pendulum and I practice chants,mantras, incantations, energy spells, horoscope and astrology,numerology,feng-shui ,crystals ,meditate,visualize into manifestation and some more.I feel that aligning my self with spirit is seeking a your higher self and understanding my purpose in this life and fulfilling that. I believe being in tune with the spiritual realm assists me in how to accomplish my desires in different things. understanding the powers and gifts I have that God has given me though the spirit , to enhance and enlighten my path as well as others, that is just a small portion of what I truly feel it means to be spiritual. Main stream religion doesn't go that deep in their spirituality quest or even understand it. I am curious as to how others feel about this.

it means to be mindful and not just rote.

the mind in it's primal state is unconditional. only as it becomes conditioned does it starts to act as if what it wears is more important than what it is.

it is what it is.

LuisDantas · Apr 21, 2019

Zita said:
spiritualist does not mean religion! yes religious people are spiritual too but they are not in the practice of studying spiritualism. as a person who defines themselves a spiritual.

I agree. Spiritualists are not necessarily religious, nor vice-versa.

There may be overlap or there may not be. But they are not particularly convergent concepts.

LuisDantas · Apr 21, 2019

shunyadragon said:
' Being spiritual and not religious' is an oxymoron. It is often used to use 'religion or religious' as stone words to throw at other people who believe differently. I kind of in vogue today among among the smug spiritually elite,

Personally, I think that the popularity of that self-descriptor is more often than not motivated by an attempt at finding a balance between valuing the expressed purpose of religion and refusing to condone perceived mistakes from it.

Zita · Apr 21, 2019

Vinayaka said:
I'm curious. What does religion meant to you? Do you have any particular religions in mind when you say this?

I grew up in a very religious household and remained a Christian till I turned 32 years old and decided I was tired of pretending that I was happy, satisfied and agree with all the dogma and the beliefs they have and the structure of religion. I felt there was more to life then the religion was teaching me.I felt there was more to my existence then being born into sin,living as the bible said I should and fearing a God because he will punish me if I don't live right according to what I am being taught by the church but yet he is said to be a loving, forgiving God, and then I die and he judges me by the life I lived and I go to heaven or hell, I felt there was a lot of contradictions in the religious texts I didn't find it helpful to my spiritual growth or true happiness to my life and that is why I feel the way I do.

Zita · Apr 21, 2019

9-10ths_Penguin said:
When someone tells me that they're "spiritual, not religious," this tells me... almost nothing.

I've heard people use the term "spiritual, not religious" to describe their beliefs when they:

- are irreligious skeptics, but feel a general sense of connection to others,

- don't belong to an organized religion, but have their own particular version of religious practices and beliefs (which is where I'd probably put you, based on what you've said in the OP)

- Christians (and very occasionally, members of other religions) who very much belong to an organized religion but really don't like it when people call their religion a religion ("it's not a religion! It's a personal relationship with Christ!")

And you would be correct, you described me well.

Zita · Apr 21, 2019

osgart said:
Spiritual is that which motivates the soul or life essence. Spiritual is also qualities of being. Motivations and qualities of being have no physical basis but are realities unto themselves.

I am a spiritual naturalist. I have no stake in chakras, or any other fluff attaching itself to the word spiritual.

Religion is all myth in my practice. Spirit is a reality. Whether spirit is caused by the physical, or noneso caused that way, it is its entire own reality.

Soul might be caused by the physical, but i strongly believe not.

All is recognized by experience of one's own heart, mind, and will. Experience is to be observed, and understood objectively. Motivation and will and heart of self, is self studied carefully in meditation, and outward expression.

The mind is only one aspect of three aspects of being. Living solely in the mind while worthwhile, also neglects heart, and will. The mind feeds the heart, and filters experience through understanding.

How the self is conceived of is important to attaining to spiritual virtues. I am a self, yet i do not cling to ego; ego corrupts the self.

and I agree!!

Vinayaka · Apr 21, 2019

Zita said:
I grew up in a very religious household and remained a Christian till I turned 32 years old and decided I was tired of pretending that I was happy, satisfied and agree with all the dogma and the beliefs they have and the structure of religion. I felt there was more to life then the religion was teaching me.I felt there was more to my existence then being born into sin,living as the bible said I should and fearing a God because he will punish me if I don't live right according to what I am being taught by the church but yet he is said to be a loving, forgiving God, and then I die and he judges me by the life I lived and I go to heaven or hell, I felt there was a lot of contradictions in the religious texts I didn't find it helpful to my spiritual growth or true happiness to my life and that is why I feel the way I do.

Paganism, Taoism, Shinto, lots of native Indigenous religions, and the 4 Dharmic religions all don't view God that way, nor sin. But I can certainly understand why you'd want to escape that.

shunyadragon · Apr 21, 2019

LuisDantas said:
Personally, I think that the popularity of that self-descriptor is more often than not motivated by an attempt at finding a balance between valuing the expressed purpose of religion and refusing to condone perceived mistakes from it.

The fact of this use of 'religion or religious' is indeed a common tool to separate the 'True' belief or the prefered belief from those who believe differently. I have heard it from the JW, Jews, Muslims, and many others that do not consider themselves religious or belonging to a 'religion.'

For example: I have heard Muslims claim they are 'devoted to the submission to God,' and not following a religion.

I do not believe there is a distinct definable separation between 'spiritual' and religious.' It is the eye of the prejudiced beholder that makes the judgement.

shunyadragon · Apr 21, 2019

Fool said:
it means to be mindful and not just rote.

Virtually all believers in all religions and other belief systems, or whatever consider themselves 'mindful and not just rote.'

David T · Apr 21, 2019

Zita said:
I've been asked so many times what is my religion? and when I say that I am not religious ,I am spiritual don't really get what I really mean.I explain to them that there is a difference because religion is limited in there practice of spirituality.I use different ways of seeking spirituality!! ways that most religions say are wicked or of the devil.I get messages from the spiritual realm by reading tarot cards, I get messages from the spiritual realm from using the pendulum and I practice chants,mantras, incantations, energy spells, horoscope and astrology,numerology,feng-shui ,crystals ,meditate,visualize into manifestation and some more.I feel that aligning my self with spirit is seeking a your higher self and understanding my purpose in this life and fulfilling that. I believe being in tune with the spiritual realm assists me in how to accomplish my desires in different things. understanding the powers and gifts I have that God has given me though the spirit , to enhance and enlighten my path as well as others, that is just a small portion of what I truly feel it means to be spiritual. Main stream religion doesn't go that deep in their spirituality quest or even understand it. I am curious as to how others feel about this.

It means to me a behavioral response imagining it's original when It's not. Martin Luther said exactly that. Also it's a churchy problem.

Evangelicalhumanist · Apr 21, 2019

Nowhere Man said:
I just settle with the wonderment and awe of what I see around me. I personally don't need any fluff to go with that, but I know people desire something more beyond the realities.

I'm an atheist, but what you describe is also how I think of being spiritual. Just the knowledge that I am an intimate part of a reality that I cannot completely understand necessitates giving myself over to my feelings and impressions. I cherish my rationality, but I also know it has its limits.

George-ananda · Apr 21, 2019

What does being spiritual not religious mean to you?

To me, it means the person has spiritual beliefs but does not identify with any of the established religions and denominations. It means to me that they still though generally believe in some type of God concept and spiritual meaning to life.

To me, it means that they likely have some spiritual beliefs beyond atheistic-humanism.

Windwalker · Apr 21, 2019

loverofhumanity said:
One of the definitions of spiritual is to be a member of a religion.

Bologna.

That's a crappy definition. I know countless people who are part of religion are anything but spiritual.

loverofhumanity said:
Spiritualist: someone who serves as an intermediary between the living and the dead; "he consulted several mediums"

That is a very specific practice that relatively few spiritual people practice. I sure as hell don't! What you are describing is a "medium", which are usually hucksters.

LuisDantas · Apr 21, 2019

shunyadragon said:
The fact of this use of 'religion or religious' is indeed a common tool to separate the 'True' belief or the prefered belief from those who believe differently. I have heard it from the JW, Jews, Muslims, and many others that do not consider themselves religious or belonging to a 'religion.'

For example: I have heard Muslims claim they are 'devoted to the submission to God,' and not following a religion.

I do not believe there is a distinct definable separation between 'spiritual' and religious.' It is the eye of the prejudiced beholder that makes the judgement.

I would use the word "arbitrary" instead of "prejudiced", but otherwise I quite agree.

What does being spiritual not religious mean to you?

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