Why is it the "religious" people don't understand the meaning of spirituality?

Question

An athiest or agnostic can be spiritual. A person that doesn't go to church or spout quotes from the bible can be spiritual.

How hard is that to understand?

Agnostic- a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and prob. unknowable; broadly : one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god

Answer 1

I understand what you are saying because I am one of those spiritual agnostics. I am agnostic, maybe even atheist, about the so-called "God" of the Bible and the Qur'an.

I am spiritual in the sense that I have discovered a spiritual energy that transcends labels, personification and organized religion. We call it the source, the energy source, the connection and various other things, But it is definitely not an old grey bearded man with a staff hanging out in the clouds above.

Organized religion to me is like eating Twinkies. It may taste really good but it can't offer any real spiritual nutrition.

Answer 2

Religions, especially fanatical Christian sects based on the belief that the Bible created by Oliver Cromwell in the 1600's is the only true word of God is all about control and power.

This is not to say a great majority of Christians are not spiritual- they are. Just as Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and many other beliefs.

But Christianity is interesting, particularly in large parts of America where the Bible and song and dance routines by "preachers" is seen as more important in some cases. Very scary. Just like some of the quotes from the Bible that will be cut and pasted by some.

Answer 3

It sounds like your in a debate defending a point of view..
An atheist is the fly in the ointment to your basic question of "Why is it the religious people don't understand the meaning of spirituality." That's a loaded question in itself.
Atheists, off hand, as far as I know, don't believe in either and deny the presents of God or gods altogether.
The combination of terms you are using range from one degree to another as a scale to measure one's belief in God and/ or the universe. Starting with,..
Religious,.. only God is God. Absolute belief or suffer hell for eternity.
Spirituality,. everythings God, smell the flowers, life can be beautiful.
Agnostic,..... will grant anything's possible, even God, if that works for you, but it's very seriously doubtful.
An Atheist,..God? Your kidding, right? Wanna buy a bridge? I'll sell you one cheap.
It's not that religious people don't believe in spirituality, they certainly do, only the meaning and cause of it, differ.
All of these terms are easily tossed about, each for somebody's purpose without having read the actual meanings.
How hard is this that to understand?

Answer 4

I really think that you are making a major (and largely incorrect) generalization here. I consider myself to be both religious and faithful through the Spirit. Many of the people that I spend time around also feel the same way and would say the same thing about ourselves.

Someone can be "spiritual" without qouting the Bible, sure... but what would be the point in that? Spirituality without a faith just seems empty to me.

Answer 5

Webster's Dictionary:

Main Entry: 1spir·i·tu·al
1 : of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit : INCORPOREAL
2 a : of or relating to sacred matters b : ecclesiastical rather than lay or temporal
3 : concerned with religious values
4 : related or joined in spirit
5 a : of or relating to supernatural beings or phenomena b : of, relating to, or involving spiritualism : SPIRITUALISTIC


From what I understand about atheists none of the above applies, agnostics on the other hand are a completely different thing and the above can very much apply.

Answer 6

religious people cannot distinguish spirtuality from religion they are ignorant and spiritually blind however this little poem is a test to those that think they are spiritual and are not!!! a reliationship with jesus is still a religion. dont give me that cop out lie

A religious man goes to church, and sits
impatiently and day dreaming of fishing. A spiritual
man goes fishing, and day dreams of God. Religion runs
on guilt,fear,sin and is mind driven. Spiritualism
runs on truth, peace, and joy, and is Heart driven.
Spiritualism is a life style religion is a learned
from a book and folk lore you're born spiritual!!!!

Answer 7

Spiritual people have not explained there belief. From my understanding piritual peole belive in being good and meditation wereas religious people as least have written code that they should follow. I guest what we don't understand is why spiritual people avoid organized religions that there spiritual beliefs are based on. ( Like a spiritual person that believes in the bible but avoids gathering with the faithful)

Answer 8

Hello momatttexas.. :)

True Spirituality, will bring forth, change within a persons heart..and a deep and never ending Love for their fellow man..for that is what we all here are searching for..peace that passeth all understanding..being able to let go of our past..wanting to be forgiven..wanting to be accepted..

All the above is what EVERYONE seeks after..but there are some which never find all of it..Why is that..

In Jesus Most Precious Name..
With Love..In Christ..

Answer 9

well first off religious people are not correct in there beliefs. spirituality goes beyond the bounds of religion.

"religion" is based on dogma and bias beliefs and ideas there is no truths but faith in what they want to believe in. they have the idea of one god and they are saved for there sins but sins dont exist.

"spirituality" is based on karma and reality proven who you are inside of your self. spirituality is believing in the soul and past lives reincarnation and enlightment.

religious people dont seek enlightment and they dont have any idea on what god really is or what it wants us to do. religious people follow a book and spiritualist follow there hearts and they do believe in a god or disbelief in a god but the basis of balance within them selves.

Answer 10

because they don't have the Holy Spirit of God, and they just live a religion.
To be spirituals we need to have a very close relationship with our Heavenly Father.