These are random musings of my life journey, the people, animals, places, and events which have woven, and continue to weave, a tapestry that is me. We all know there is no real destination, only the ongoing experiences which blend together, creating the trail. Each step gives a glimpse of what is to come, without allowing me to see the end result. It is exciting. I have a home base that is mine, that gives me a place to rest. This is it. This is where my heart is, no matter where I journey...................

Sunday, October 28, 2007

Spiritual or religious?



What does "spiritual" mean to you? I'm not trying to start a holy war, and I'm not looking for which "religion" is best. I'm just wanting you to opine here about spirituality.

I see "spiritual" and "religious" as being different. I know religious people who don't seem to be very spiritual to me. "Spiritual" pertains to matters of the soul, the moral part of our makeup; "Religious" is the part of us that is concerned with the rites, following laws or tenets of one's practice. My definitions. I think a person can be "religious" without being "spiritual" and vice versa.

I think of myself as a spiritual person because I believe in a higher power, and I try to live my life accordingly. But I'm not tied to a particular ritual of worship. I have been, and I find that my spirit or soul feels more free since I untied myself and let my spiritual self free to experience and seek a balance. I haven't changed how I live on a daily basis. I've chosen to focus on a set of practices that are positive and affirming to myself and others.

I'm not going to go further because I don't want to skew your ideas and how you express them here, but I am wondering ... are you spiritual or religious? Or both? What do those terms mean to you?

10 comments:

  1. I think "Spiritual" and "Religious" are two different things as well. I know religious people who aren't very nice. Seems to me they're a bit hypocritical. I believe in a higher power and I try to live a good life. Treat others the way I would like to be treated, etc.

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  2. For the first 30 years of my life I was religious. Now I find that I am much more spiritual then religious. I still can't not go into a church service, but that does not mean I don't have a relationship with God. I know I have shared this with you, but I feel closer to God now that I am no longer part of the cult. When I walked away (or pushed away) I thought I was losing my relationship with God. What I found was getting away from the cult actually helped me get closer to God.

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  3. This is a really great post..

    I'm not sure what category I'd fall under. I am a Christian, but I don't consider it my religion, more my reality.. I don't fit in any denominations because I find fault in nearly all of their doctrines and I don't see how anyone finds any real comfort in most of them. However, that isn't how I was raised.. I was raised in one particularly strict (and unhappy) denomination. I too have found that getting away from them and discovering truth for myself and not someone else's interpretation has been very freeing.

    I suppose that by your definitnion though, I'd consider myself more spiritual than religious, but others may view me completely differently.

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  4. Just so you know, I'm not ignoring you. I'm just letting this play itself out for a while. :)(:

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  5. I'm with you on spirituality. Since I freed myself from religion, I've never felt so good inside.

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  6. Catherine - I'm glad to hear that. So many people assume that I've gone to the dark side or something when I say I'm not practicing a specific religion, but I've found more of God everywhere in my life and around me since I quit listening to what I should believe. It's a indescribable peace, isn't it? I enjoyed your post about superstitions and thought of how we tend to incorporate those into religious lives. As if the supreme powers need us to avoid certain acts to avoid bring peril on ourselves or others! Thanks for the comment.

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  7. I've actually never met a religious person who seemed spiritual. Or a spiritual one who was involved in religion. I don't know what that means, but it's interesting.

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  8. Sandra - I would agree. What do you think causes that? I suspect the religious are to caught up in dogma, rules, following the course, etc.

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  9. I am most definitely NOT religious. I do believe religious and spiritual are two entirely different things. Whether I am spiritual or not, I couldn't tell you honestly. I have different feelings about it at different times.

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  10. Traci - I know. Considering what you've been through, It doesn't surprise me. I traded religious for spiritual, and I've never been happier. I find blessings in many things, every day, and I've come to believe that there is a great power that is wonderful, benevolent, loving, and wants only the best for me. I hope you find that one day. Hugs, dear girl.

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If you have something to say about it, just stick out your thumb, and I'll slow down so you can hop aboard! But hang on, 'cause I'm movin' on down the road!!! No time to waste!!!