I have rejected all religions. But I believe in spirituality, that we have souls, and that we move on after this life into something otherworldly. As a kid, I had out-of-body experiences, and have seen ghosts. I am very spiritual. I meditate and believe in listening to yourself. But I absolutely, vehemently reject all major organized religions as a crock. I have nothing but disgust and contempt for them.
The reason why I reject religion, is the same reason why you chose yours and rejected all others.
With that being said, am I considered an unbeliever? How do I stand in the eyes of religious followers of all faiths?
2007-09-26 16:36:45 · 36 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Who cares - how do you stand in your own eyes. That's all that matters, or you are pandering for others approval and you might as well join a church.
2007-09-26 16:52:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like your just Agnostic. Agnostic means, to the best of my understanding, that you believe in an afterlife and possibly that there is some supreme being, but that you do not believe in the doctrines of religions like Christianity. To me and my religion this means nothing to me. You are no more or less correct than I. I would actually consider you the opposite of an unbeliever. If you believe then you believe. and whether you want to go to some man made institution, and listen to someone interpret the already interpreted bible, then pay money so they can put three 40ft crosses in front of the church or so the Pasteur/priest/whatever can buy a new jaguar (sorry Ive had some bad experiences with organized religion when I was a christian). I think all religions are just as correct as any other but feel that its how each person wants to interpret their religion. And that does not take an organization to figure out. While being part of an Organization of like-minded believers is nice and beneficial to assist in pursuing knowledge about your beliefs, it is not a necessary part of religion.
2007-09-26 16:59:39 · answer #2 · answered by Lorena 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I thought alot of the same things before I was saved. I was a witch. It felt good. Yes it felt good cause it was self serving! I didnt really choose a religion, its more like I let God into my life. Then I researched churches to find where I belonged so I could have help& support when I need it.
Listening to yourself is basically being self-centered. Where do your guidelines or values come from, you? Who are you? How do you know you are right? If you are meditating, is it a spirit or God, you or evil that you may be hearing. I saw and felt ghosts / spirits when I was a witch & now as a Christian. But now I know the difference of the bad & good. Do You?
Its fine if you dont want to belong to a organized religon, but it may be helpful in your spiritual jouney to read the bible. I recommend the chapter 'John'. While you are reading, ask for the Truth be shown to you. If you open your heart, you will get the truth.
2007-09-26 17:06:07 · answer #3 · answered by T I 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
www.Subhanandashram.org.yes. We the Atmabodhees, deciples of Sree Subhananda Gurudev (Website.www.subhanadashram.org) believe in the principle of "One Caste,One religion, One God for Mankind. All are the creations of one God and as such the children of one Father, and the founders of all religions are the incarnations of that God who is nothing but Knowledge which was the form of God before He started the Creation. Religions are good if it purify you andmakes you realise the knowledge of self. Real spiritualism can be achieved only by rejecting the narrow religious fundamentalistic outlooks because all religions are good as the earlier steps of a ladder towards spirituality. So a believer need not be a religious follower.
2007-09-26 20:24:44 · answer #4 · answered by pkvijaya p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I spent most of my adult life in a mind-control cult. I didn't know it was, of course, until I left it. But while I was in it, I was led to believe that EVERY OTHER religion was a cult except them.
When I quit them I resolved never again to "join" any religion. That stance allows me to examine them all and find what is good in each, so I can value its members as individuals, whiile not putting my conscience until the compulsion of any group of "leaders."
But I am "spiritual" in much the same way as you describe. When I quit the former religion, my goal was escape, like you would escape from a flood or hurricane -- it's only about getting out and away... there's time later to figure out where to go from there.
I have found that people get from religion what they bring to it, or what they expect to get from it. I find that we all have capacities within ourselves that some are simply not comfortable accepting that they reside within them. Those who cannot take credit or blame need to have a place to project it.
I have dear friends in all religions and spiritual paths that I can think of, as well as those who neither profess nor require any. I don't confront my friends over their religious choices, although I may ask them leading questions to make them think. Those who want to judge me for having left my former religion are welcome to do so. I still have some friends in there. If I judge someone else, I'm not being productive.
2007-09-26 18:54:14 · answer #5 · answered by Suzanne 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would you care? If you are happy with the way you are experiencing your spirituality, that is really the bottom line. Whether or not you belong to a group is irrelevant. Think about it. How many people "belong" to an organized faith, but don't actively participate in it? Is that any better? Be content to be you and open to the possibility that what you need, want and believe can change as time goes by.
2007-09-26 16:49:30 · answer #6 · answered by GamB 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Religion is a belief system created by Humans on Earth. These are lifestyles. Spirituality touches more on the truth of how things work in relation to God and the different dimensions of reality.
You are way further along than most and are probably a very ancient soul and teacher. It is not wrong to discover God in your own way. That is actually the best course of action to take to be closer to God. Because you are being yourself and not held down by other people's rules and regulations.
An open mind and heart will help you discover the truth way faster than an old man preaching on stage about Hell and Damnation.
You are on the right path. Document your studies and teach your wisdom. This world has yet to enter the next phaze of spiritual evolution.
2007-09-26 16:45:11 · answer #7 · answered by Kevin Dellinger 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Ofcourse. There's religious, and spiritual. I'm way more spiritual than religious. I think that religion is way to far off, and I lean more toward the science behind things, so my beliefs about God and everything else don't lie in any certain religion, and some of the religions I do like, tend to have things I don't like. So, I am spiritual. Good question.
2007-09-26 16:41:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sure, it's possible. In fact it's one of the biggest fads today to say "I'm spiritual, but not religious". If anything, it's already sounding to sound cliche`.
>>The reason why I reject religion, is the same
>>reason why you chose yours and rejected all others.
What makes you so sure you know everybody's reasons for choosing their religion? Furthermore, have you actually studied more than 4 or 5 different religions (not denominations of the same religion, but different religions)?
2007-09-26 16:48:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I come very close to being the same way myself.
I haven't rejected ALL religions. You say that all major organized religions are a crock, and I agree with that. But there are some minor, disorganized religions that help me get in touch with my own spirituality (namely, Wicca/paganism).
2007-09-26 16:40:48 · answer #10 · answered by catrionn 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, of course. "Spiritual" is a term far above religion. Religion IMO is nothing but a man made product created to sell and control. Spiritual is when you find your own path to what YOU think is right.
Personally I have more respect for those that call themselves Spiritual as opposed to some religion label...they know what they believe because they have decided from their own gut feeling what is right. Not just because someone told them to believe a certain thing.
2007-09-26 16:42:19 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋