Is there a growing stigma about being labelled 'religious'?

Question

I have seen a lot of people on Y!A R&S say, somewhat bizarrely, "I'm not religious, but I do believe in god" or "I'm not religious, but I have a relationship with Jesus" or some such thing. Is this an indication that people are becoming embarassed to be called 'religious', due to the negative connotations of religion, even though they hold beliefs which cannot reasonably be described as anything other than religious?

Wow, very interesting answers! I liked the comment about not wanting to be associated with nutjobs like Bush or Bin Laden. Historically, atheism has been the stigma that people would avoid being labelled with at all costs (even those who were clearly atheists), so perhaps the tables are turning.

Answer 1

Yes, there is a stigma brought on by unchristian Christians preaching hate and ignorance. Many people don't want to be associated with that.

I'm one of these people. I identify myself as Christian. However, I have never found any church which I believe follows the word of Christ. I am appalled by the uncharitable things that so-called Christians often do and say. They can seem like children to me. I honestly pity them. No one has taught them to be kind.

I also regard science as the greatest achievement in history, and I see no conflict there. Evolution is a fact. Question: how does God create Man? Answer: Any way he wants to. Evidence is on the side of evolution. The Earth is pretty close to spherical, too

Fundamentalism has given a bad name to Christianity, Islam, and other religions. The strident voices you hear in Y!Answers is just one more embarrassment.

Where does the fear and hate come from? I blame lack of education, and primitive culture. We could do a much better job of encouraging kindness. Instead we are focused on the almighty dollar, and kindness be damned. Unfortunate.

Answer 2

It's embarassing sometimes, to be labeled as the church going fanatic. Look at the world that we live in right now - all the nut jobs are religious... (see Osama and crew... see George W. Bush et al). Religion is the cause of so much pain and suffering. Religion has been abused and twisted to fit the need of man. Religion is not cool anymore...
Spirituality is the new way to God. Spirituality is more intelligent and less dogmatic. It's more than just believing in what the book says... it gives you freedom and choice. Doesn't mean I don't believe in Christ... it's just that I don't believe in being confined by the questionable truths of the bible. God is within you - not in a book.

Answer 3

Another is, "I prefer to be spiritual."

Actually I think christianity is on the rise which is why we might consider this discussion. Having people who might be embarrassed at their religion is a transistion phase which must delight the church.

I do think that there are some mis-guided ideas about how a christian must also serve as evangelist which puts that person in a bad place and give the body a bad name.

Eastern religions in America do not have that bad rep, if you say you are a Buddhist then most will say, "good for you." But if the response is "I am a christian" people feel like they are on the verge of a barrage of well-meaning but mis-guided apparent 'propaganda'.

Meeting someone who is well grounded in the faith is usually a delight.

Answer 4

This is a passive form of the phrase "I'm spiritual but not religious". What it means is I want to have the comfort of belief without the (perceived) drawback of commitment to an actual system of worship. The "spiritual" person is often no different than the teenager who says "We're in love, why should we have to get married to prove it?" They fail to see how commitment enhances the value of and growth from a relationship. Beiing "religious" has the same stigma as being commited to anything. And I'm an Agnostic!

Answer 5

I am one of those people you are talking about...I am a theist that values the spiritual teachings of Christ and my husband and I are NOT Christians...We seriously have nothing in common with them.

There is a difference between spirituality and religion...Spirituality is more of a personal meditative/thinking path to gradually change your core being by looking in the mirror...Religion is man's attempt to try to help others know their God.

I don't know any other people like us...Most people are either religious or agnostic/atheist....We live a pretty isolated, peaceful existence working and raising our family.

And there is one more difference between spiritual and religious...I value people like you, Jim Darwin, Devilsadvocate, Larry, the funny puppy, and I think that you have so much to offer humanity, where as a religious person would condemn you for not being a believer.

Answer 6

Unfortunately, what you say is true, but people also avoid being called this because in its full meaning it is a very high standard to live up to.
As an aspiring religious, I hope that people avoid being called that term for the latter reason rather than the former.

Answer 7

OK ill play devils advocate here :o)

until very recently i would not call myself religious .. because i didn't attend church , so didn't feel comfortable with the label
i did however believe in god and an afterlife
only now that i attend church will i say ... yes i have a religion

perhaps others feel like this ?

Answer 8

good question, interesting suggestion

I think that somehow "big religion" has gotten a bad reputation like "big oil"

people don't want to be associated with it

also, there are a growing number of belief systems (like certain forms of environmentalism) that include beliefs that (as you put it succinctly) cannot reasonably be described as anything other than religious

these new religious-like (but not called religion) belief systems may also be changing the way we view the word religion

Answer 9

I think people might be seeking and looking for a personal relationship with Christ rather than religion. Anyone can be "religious" and, just because you claim to be religious that does not mean you have a relationship. However, you can be religious and have a relationship with Christ. I guess it just depends how your perceive what the word "religion" or being "religious" means to you.

Answer 10

Yes. I think people are ashamed. And partly because, they act like they are without religion, then claim to know God. They don't want to be held accountable and want free license to keep right on sinning. Then others just don't want to feel the wrath of other people condemning them for loving God. Either way, I have no respect for the former or the latter.