Spiritual vs religious

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Belief is spiritual, but when you codify belief, then you're into religion (remembering that I see religious as a narrower term under spiritual). So me just believing a bunch of things could be spiritual, but if I follow a list of belief based on or prescribed by the teachings of a religious tradition/organization, then it falls more specifically into religion. But they could well be the same beliefs, it's the context and the reason for holding the belief that really defines whether a belief is spiritual or more specifically religious. I can believe in a deity on my own of my own understanding or I can believe in a deity that is taught by a religious body or teacher. And I can have a set of beliefs about a deity shoved down my throat on threat of excommunication or other punishment, which is were religion goes off the rails spiritually.
 
I would codify belief as wishful thinking.

Belief is usually in alignment with a desire for something to be true.

"If you repeat a lie often enough, people will start to believe it."
 
WhyCzar said:
Religion binds people to a set of rules
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I agree with this -----

The Latin word for Religion is -----

The Latin word for "religion" is religiō, a noun linked to the verb religare ("to bind back"

My view ------

Religion seeks man's interests not God's interest
Religion is a man made system of beliefs -----that binds you up and ties you to obey their man made rules and rituals of their systems operation -----
Religion allows some half truths which of course is a lie to the Truth
Religion only worships God on the outside
Religions separates because different Religions have different beliefs ---
Religion divides through different denominations
Religion restricts spiritually
Religion bases itself on the Laws of God ---do good get good ---do bad get bad ---and the love of God for Salvation -----no need for Jesus ----
Religion is based on intellectual Faith --5 senses
Religion is an enemy of the Spiritual ---
Religions caters to the world and it's way of thinking ----
Religion is based in the curse which brings eternal death
Religion is based on these loves storge (affection), philia (friendship), eros (romantic love),Not ---Agape
Religion affects the external pars of our lives not the inner parts of our lives ---
Religion keeps your reliance on what you do and accomplish yourself --

Spiritual relies on God to help us accomplish what He wants
Spiritual seeks God's interest Not human interest
Spiritual encourages a real relationship being in union with God --
Spiritual is God being within ----
Spiritual is based in the blessings which brings eternal life
Spiritual has no denomination required ----you follow the Way of Jesus through His word ---- Spiritual is based on God's Faith which brings Liberty -----Freedom from sin and worldly cares
Spiritual is based on Agape--- Not storge (affection), philia (friendship), eros (romantic love),
Spiritual affects the inner part of our lives which is seen on the outer part of our lives ----
Spiritual allows you to seek Truth and believe it
 
Most of life requires no belief. Sun shines, seasons change, elements react predictably without any belief in their existence or their behaviour. Gravity and momentum and the movement of light and sound occur without human input.

I, too, would describe most religious beliefs, especially those centred on a specific definition of "god" or "soul" or an "afterlife", as totally wishful thinking.

To me, spiritual is a personal characteristic on a continuum (from not very self-aware to entirely consumed by an inner life). "Relgious" implies that one identifies with a particular religion, and particularly, is active in some fashion in a denomination/community of said religion. Level of spirituality over lifetime wouldn't vary as much as level of religiosity.
 
Thanks for giving us your perspective @unsafe . . . I was wondering if you would check in on this thread.

You have me wondering about the spiritual gifts that Paul talks about. Might pull out my Bible and take a look. You often have this effect on me ;)
 
There are black and white shades to belief ... divided by yellow and red which spin about the green-blue axis ... and even more ...

Some just can't cut the understanding portion that may provide purple and violet of those wee monster screaming in the dark ... puffy dragons?

They may be Erie plants ... far out in the back woods like nightshade when it falls ... a knock out essence?

Alice called it a love potion ... al ove that!
 
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paradox3 said:
Religion might be more about rules then. And rituals. And routines. And structures of various kinds.

Spirituality might be more concerned with meaning and relationships? More process oriented?
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THat is how I have usually understood it to be used. Sort of a striking back against what people find overly restrictive religion Or at least a strike back at being part of a system.
 
Thanks everyone for your contributions to the conversation. It has been eye opening to see the different definitions that are possible for "spiritual" and "religious".
 
So many vapors are denied and yet there they are ... unseen ... then there was that female gingko plant in NS raising a pheromone ... some say a stink in the order of things! Dissonance in vapors leads to insane poetics ... and Poe TU's ... that is difficult to grasp or handle as a prickly loser ...

Recall you are not to speak of such things as 1/3 of the monkey Ruel ... that's the Job or vocation if you wish ... avocation if not! Thus it wasn't ...

You can pose anything with proper words ... eons ago someone propped them on a tree ... cord a Bella, or central value ... see through trees? Step behind one and watch ... the goings on are fierce!
 
Following up on the AA comments - as I have a few friends who are involved with AA & its related groups, we've had some chats about this as I wondered about the use of 'God' language and how multiculturalism might be accommodated.
Yes, the founders of AA came from a Christian background, hence the focus on a 'Christian" understanding of God.
Today, in many areas of our country and the world, there are people of many religious traditions other than Christianity who embrace AA. I think current language often refers to 'your higher power, however one holds that to be true for themselves'. Love of neighbour as oneself seems also to be a foundational tenet - which is also common to many worldwide religions. Because we are Christian we may read & interpret the words though a our Christian lens. Others may read it differently. Language is tricky that way.
 
Alcohol? I wish. My name is Craig and I'm addicted to sarcasm.

The religious/spiritual language of AA is either a non-issue for some atheists, or a non-starter for others. If I was addicted and went to a meeting, could you imagine how that would go? A never-ending stream of setup lines when I'm already on edge from not drinking? Jesus, it would be funny at least.

There are secular alternatives, but mostly in large urban centres, so they aren't as available.

I don't know much about alcohol addiction. I go through a bottle of vodka or rum in about a month or two, plus maybe 3 or 4 cases of beer or coolers in a year. And my wife helps a bit. Wine at dinner very occasionally. My daughter refuses to touch the stuff. Something about "underaged." I don't know because I'm usually drunk when she says it.

From what I do know, I wouldn't go to AA even if I needed it. I'd search out alternatives. Maybe online? I don't know what's available, but I wouldn't stick around for appeals to a "higher power" or similar to help me with my problems. I couldn't take it seriously.
 
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Carolla said:
That would indeed be an interesting one to explore. AA never presupposes it is the way for all people & strives to be non-judgemental. It has been lifesaving for many.
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Until sarcasm causes cirrhosis, I'm good.
 
Late BIL was saved by AA ... but then instead of a bottle booze a month or so 40 Oz's+ a day was the trend ...

I can't even imagine how that would affect me ... I'd be permanently sick to my stomach and mostly blind ... the source of a type of faith? The pathway would be rocky and unstable ... there'd be a pile of metaphor ... in essence!

There is a populace that has no idea about metaphor or parallel understandings ... they live in a Shue of their own ...
 
Carolla said:
That would indeed be an interesting one to explore. AA never presupposes it is the way for all people & strives to be non-judgemental. It has been lifesaving for many.
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To take this back to spiritual/religious, while I'm more on the "not interested" side of spiritual and "not credible" side of religious, a lot of people have been hurt by religion and want nothing to do with it.

Can you imagine a person who started drinking as a way to cope with religious shaming? And now AA wants to invoke religion to treat their alcoholism?
 
I’ve known people in 12 steps who are/ were insufferably cultish about it. Decent people, but still…they see everything and everyone through that model. That’s how they survive and stay sober…but it’s not for everybody or every problem. Whatever works for people though. It has saved lives. It’s not always Christian based but there is the Higher Power aspect. 12 steps is a bit like an addiction itself, it seems to me. They replace one with another. But it keeps people alive, so … harm reduction?
 
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Reminds me of Montessori schools. Some treat Maria Montessori like the other Maria. We noped out of one interview like their heads were on turntables.
 
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