what does it mean to be spiritual but not religious?

Question

i have heard people say that are are not religious but that they are spiritual? what does this mean? and what is the idfference?

i mean to say what is the difference

because personally i believe in god and i am saved but i dont go to church or anything like that and i dont think that all other peoples belifes are wrong

Answer 1

Generally it means that you believe either there is something like god, but no sure what it is OR you believe that a persons spirit reaches beyond the bounds of the body and spirituality refers to knowledge or awareness of this.

Answer 2

Religious would suggest being a part of an organized religion, an association with Catholicsm or Judaism or Buddhism for that matter. Whereas spirituality seems more open to all paths leading to a higher purpose, not necessarily a God but moving towards being a better person, being kind, being patient...all those things that may be indoctrinated in the priniciples of most religions, but not hung up on rituals or a certain belief. It also seems to me to be very subjective wheareas one who belongs to a religion follows a certain credo and conforms with everyone else. For me I would say I am both religious and spiritual, I am a Catholic Christian and with the spirituality I myself incoroporate my own religious interpretation (again, the subjectivity in the use of spirituality). For me "spirit" is the Holy Spirit, the Guide that centers me. But it doesn't mean it's right for you, but it does give ME peace. Hope this helps

Answer 3

I think when people say this, they are talking about organized religion. You can still have a spiritual experience(meaning an experience that comes from your spirit or soul) and not have a religion. Many people who have taken hallucinogenic drugs have said to have spiritual experience. You could very suddenly feel one with yourself and the world around you and say you are spiritual. Have you ever been to a school rally and been sort of uplifted and gun-hoe about whatever team? That's why they call it school spirit. These are occurrences of spirituality without religion.

I think the confusion is you must have spirituality or faith to be religious.

Answer 4

Spirituality is the faith and beliefes but to practice Religion is to take practice in the physical practices (ie attending church, joining Bible studies ect.). Someone can be spirtual, fully believe and trust in God (or higher power) but not take part in the practices that go along with Religion. It is purely a personal choice and anyone that tells you differently should perhaps re-read the Bible. Love one another, do not judge etc.

Answer 5

OK, many are Pagans - Paganism firstly is a way of life NOT a specific religion, although there are many Pagan religions also.

SO Paganism is about contacting your inner spirituality, respect for the earth and those/that around you.

You 'could' be an Atheist Pagan, an agnostic Pagan, of even as I have know a Jewish Pagan.

So spirituality is more like a covering belief in the miracle of the universe, without attaching to any Godform, religious Deity or Devine Being.

I realise that it is difficult to understand this, but some people feel that this is true so strongly, they say they are Spiritual rather than religious.

Answer 6

I'll give you my Personal opinion. The difference is that spiritual people are concerned with the ideal of achieving and maintaining a balance within themselves, among other people, and ultimately with God and eternity.

Relgious people are more concerned with observing the rituals and rites pertaining to specific sects or denominations. While the two are not mutually exclusive, some people find it impossible to meet their person spititual needs within the confines of one set of teachings.

Answer 7

I have utterly no idea. So, why am I answering this, you may ask? Because I do have the thought that it may be a distinction without a difference. I am not religious -- I do science, in which natural causes are sought and supernatural causes are excluded. So, the next time you encounter such a person, ask for a detailed explanation. I would probably find it interesting.

Answer 8

It means that they do not go to church or read a religious book or believe in particular sins or virtues.

But they are not atheist and do not believe that what we see is all there is to the world.

I think it's kind of a cop-out. I think people that say they are spiritual but not religioius have not put much thought into their beliefs.

Answer 9

This is silliness.
Spiritual equals religious.
People may say this because they don't understand.
Some people equate religious with going to church or reading the Bible.
That might account for it.
Some people misunderstand that religion is belief, it's what you practice, what you beleive, what makes you you.
Spiritual is a word that is not usually associated with religion, it's too, "out there."
All religion is spiritual.
Spiritual is more of a plane thing, when we refer to the spiritual world.
Religion is more of a belief plane, a definition.
It must be based on misunderstanding.

Answer 10

spiritual: Ignorance about one's true (divine) identity. That is, the sense that one is separate from God. Spiritual ignorance or ego leads one to believe that one is but the physical body; it is regardless of one's worldly education/knowledge.

religious: a member of a religious order. In canon law a religious is a person who lives in ...

or religious means that you belong to a specific type of group and know who your god is. spiritual means that you belong to no type of group and you believe in what you believe in....i dont know....you could say that spiritual means that you believe in a type of god figure but you do not belong to a certain group who believes the same as you. you study religion on your own with out any kind of church. something like that.