Mini rant on : spirituali/religious
I've heard it so often..."I'm not religious but I am spiritual."
What the heck does that MEAN?
I don't believe in God, but I like trees?
I believe in God, but don't go to church?
I'm not like "those other people"?
I'm cooler than religious people?
I'm lazy?
What do people think religious people ARE?
Can they be "religious but not spiritual?"
This makes me nuts. Chime in.
What the heck does that MEAN?
I don't believe in God, but I like trees?
I believe in God, but don't go to church?
I'm not like "those other people"?
I'm cooler than religious people?
I'm lazy?
What do people think religious people ARE?
Can they be "religious but not spiritual?"
This makes me nuts. Chime in.
posted by Mata H at Thursday, October 13, 2011
13 Comments:
Hi Mata,
I am one of those spririual not religious people. I grew up in a traditional religious home where I was required to go to church every Sunday. I've gradually grown into a practice and and journey that is based on the practices of my African and Native American ancestors. I do like trees because in them I find wisdom and language to learn that challenges me to think about what I use and consume; trees teach me the beauty of age and the grace of growth over time through all kinds of hardships. And when I am able to be still enough, they let me glimpse a bit of bliss. To me, spirit is in all things, many of them those who are religious believe are without life, or at least hold little importance in comparison to mankind.
Because I have not been able to fit into a religion that allows me to follow a meaningful life according to my experience of the Divine, I have chosen a solitary path that includes altar work, Hoo Doo, honoring Orishas of the Yoruba pantheon, and ancestor reverence, among other pracices that keep me sane and centered enough to make some sense of the world and most of all to hold hope.
My pennies...
That phrase is the bane of my atheist existence. You don't have to be religious but you can still be spiritual right? Uh no. Nice Blog
For me, it means, I do believe in God, but because there are so many paths to God, I haven't chosen one. So, basically, I believe in the inter-connectedness of all beings. But I don't follow any specific religion or their traditions. "Spiritual" usually seems to mean that people believe in that inter-connectedness or "unity concsiousness" if you will, and also concepts such as karma or reincarnation without affiliating themselves with any one religion, because, like I said, there are many paths to "God", and for a true believer, they are all sacred, and none are wrong. The Jews, Christians, and Muslims are all worshipping the same God, whether or not they know it!
Hope this sheds some light.
I think there can be a discomfort in claiming to be religious in those who of us who don't observe religious rituals very much, especially when we see others who seem to do so regularly. But we can say we are spiritual, whether we subscribe to a particular religion or not. I think one way we mean this is in finding beauty around us and also in the ways we moderate and discipline our thoughts and behavior.
I suspect, as so many people revel in their religions, that those who do not, fear they might well be perceived as shallow and empty, if not worse. So, though they attend no structured religious ceremonies, in places such as the Crystal Cathedral (how these embellished places of worship irk me), etc., they hope to convey that they actually have a bit of depth within, even though they do not require structured grandeur to connect with the one who sustains them. I so well understand, unfortunately. I heartily dislike televangelists and the like. I object to their lifestyle, facelifts, private jets, designer clothes, poor interviews during which they contradict themselves. It is accepted, though disrespected as part of America's religious culture,to those of us outside America. They are entitled to their mode of worship, as we our to our limply perceived spirituality.
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I get it. The worlds messed up. Big time.
I didn't grow up in a church. I don't personally believe that one needs to belong to a religion as an institution. I don't, however, like to call myself an atheist or agnostic. I believe in many different types of gods. I pray, I meditate, and I constantly strive to be a better person. I believe in life after death and in cell memory. I believe in previous lives. I think that people who are "spiritual" believe in something. Whereas others believe there is no core purpose to life and nothing happens after we die.
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I have wondered for so long where Thalia is - now, unfortunately, I have found out, today. I feel so stunned and saddened by her passing - she brimmed with such valuable contributions, for us all to relish. I shall miss her sensitive, imaginative and intelligent spirit. I have not met her but this feels like such a personal loss. Peace to her. Jill
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