Religion is for people who don't want to go to hell; Spirituality is for people who have been there already.

Question

You don't have to be religious to be spiritual. Do you agree?

Answer 1

Definately.

The priest Joseph Girzone once wrote "Unfortunately religious leaders model themselves after civil governments and treat people accordingly. In doing this they fall in the same trap that the scribes and Pharisees fell into, making religion a tangible set of measurable religious observances, which is legalistic and superficial. In doing this they become the focus of religious observance rather than God, and it is their endless rules and their rituals rather than love of God and concern for others that occupy the people's attention. Customs and practices and traditions then replace true service of God and these become a serious obstacle to real growth in the love of God."

I think he said that well.

Answer 2

Religion is man's attempt to be good enough for God so they will be rewarded. Having a relationship with Jesus is a one-on-one communication with God through the sacrifice of the Son. It involves prayer and reading as well as meditating on the word of God. It does not negate belonging to a church because one needs to be among others to be able to stay focused and share the needs of the community. God tells us to continue meeting with fellow Christians.
Some call the relationship with Jesus being spiritual. I'm not so sure I agree. Spirituality can be used to include communicating with spirits other than God's spirit. It also seems to be used for anyone who meditates on anything. I think I'd rephrase your statement more like..
"Religion is for people who don't understand they have an advocate with the Father. Relationship is for those who do."

Answer 3

Religion is a set of man-made rules to make the outward self appear holy and be good enough for God.

What's required is a spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ, not a religion, not a spiritual connection with ones self. The only true salvation, freedom, and joy comes from a relationship with Christ.

Answer 4

No.
I don't need spirits any more than I need a god.

You can keep your spirituality and whinings about having been through hell.... much as the christians can keep their religion and their blithering idiocy.

I have a "belief-system"... based on what can be experienced and reasoned... and generally doubting of most things.... and that is all I need. None of that wishy washy ghosty nonsense.

Answer 5

Being "religious" is a sort of indefinable word. To some it is the act of going to a specific church where one may practice their personal spirituality. To others, they may feel they are religious merely by having firm beliefs.

What ever is right for you, my personal belief is to know God sent his only Begotten Son to the end that all who believe in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

Answer 6

I absolutely agree, and what a poetic way of putting it. I would not consider myself to be religious (although I was brought up in a Christian family and attended a Church of England Primary school as a child). However, I try to be spiritual in other ways. For me, it's meditation that offers a spiritual path.

Answer 7

The problem here is that I am not at all clear on what may be meant by "spirituality". To me, the term is void of meaning. It might mean something if there were a soul distinguishable from a body containing it, but there isn't.

Answer 8

Spirituality is not for people who've been there already.
Religion is a organized faith.
Spirituality is for those who are guided spiritually.
Not by the hands of a high priest or a man who claims to know God more than his congregation.

Answer 9

Well said! I want to keep this quote and out it on my myspace page. Perhaps it will keep my religious fanatic friends at bay

Answer 10

LOL!

I wish there were more people on this site that understood this. Do you reckon a takeover is possible...

...or desirable?