Are you religious or spiritual?

AreaCode707

Lifer
Sep 21, 2001
18,447
133
106
Just flipping back to what I've missed the past few months at Ross's forums and noticed a few folks from different religions still encouraging each other.
I know these are very open-ended terms, quite ambiguous, so post your definitions of them after you pick your topic. Not definitions to be argued with, just the definitions as you see them. And maybe why you choose what you choose
 

Feanor727

Senior member
Sep 17, 2001
411
0
0
If we get to define the words ourselves, then spiritual. I always associate religion with the man-made trappings of true spirituality. Of course, then you have to decide what's man-made and what is truely inspired by God. I'll leave that discussion to another thread.
 

Jzero

Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
18,834
1
0
I consider "religious" to be the corporate practice of spirituality - going to church/temple/meeting or other similar events.
I consider "spiritual" to be your own internal practice of your faith.
In a recent discussion, I declared myself to be "Spiritual, but not religious." I have a very deep-rooted faith and a am comfortable in what I believe. For all intents and purposes, it would be called "Christian" but I very rarely attend any church or organized function. I pray often, and study the Bible occasionally, but I do this on my own.

So I voted "Spiritual."
 

blackdogdeek

Lifer
Mar 14, 2003
14,453
10
81
imo spirituality means care of my soul and the soul of others.

religion means care of my soul and the soul of others by adhering to a specific set of ideals.

EDIT: i voted spiritual
 

Riprorin

Banned
Apr 25, 2000
9,634
0
0
I slelected religious and spiritual. I'm "religious" in that I attend church and I'm spiritual in that I have a personal relationship with God.
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
44
91
I am spiritual in the sense that I do believe that there are things that exist beyond the ken of human knowledge. I have not yet found myself a place in an organized religion however.

ZV
 

ROTC1983

Diamond Member
Oct 2, 2002
6,130
0
71
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
I am spiritual in the sense that I do believe that there are things that exist beyond the ken of human knowledge. I have not yet found myself a place in an organized religion however.

ZV

That sounds like where i am at.
 

Barnaby W. Füi

Elite Member
Aug 14, 2001
12,343
0
0
I am neither, but for example, buddhism interests me alot. I'm all for mental enlightenment and spirituality - but I mean spirituality in the sense of your spirit being your mind. I don't believe in the classic definition of a spirit or soul or god or any of that.
 

WinkOsmosis

Banned
Sep 18, 2002
13,990
1
0
Hmmm.. I dunno. I sometimes believe in the supernatural, sometimes I don't. Not religious though. I'm free from The Church.
 

Kadarin

Lifer
Nov 23, 2001
44,296
16
81
I am neither.

Organized religion always struck me as a perversion (and as someone in this thread mentioned, a corporate franchise) of spirituality. On the other hand, for me the concept of spirituality is somewhat alien to my thought processes, and I could never really internalize the point of it all.
 

NikPreviousAcct

No Lifer
Aug 15, 2000
52,763
1
0
For the theology side of me, I'm religious. When it comes down to it, I'm classified as being spiritual because anything short of a personal relationship with Christ doesn't cut it. Well, according to real Christianity anyway.

But questioning all of it.
 

bentwookie

Golden Member
Aug 3, 2002
1,771
0
0
For my ally is the Force. And a powerful ally it is. Life creates it, makes it grow. It's energy surrounds us and binds us. Luminous beings are we... not this crude matter. You must feel the Force around you. Here, between you...me...the tree...the rock...everywhere!

it's about as outrageous as any other religion...but works for me.

I would follow buddhism, but you gotta give up sex.. no waaayyy