Not religious, but Spiritual?

Question

I've noticed this is popular for women to put on their profiles online. Then once you get to know them, it turns out they are full of religious dogma and more religious than half the people who claim to be religious, they just don't attend a particular church on a regular basis.

What's the deal with that? Is it just trickery so people don't shy away from them? Or am I misunderstanding what "Spiritual" is in this context?

Answer 1

Interesting question! I'm starring it so I can come back and look at the other answers.

The definition of spiritual is so broad as to be very hard to pin down. Some people think that if they believe in the Christian religion but don't attend a church that means they are spiritual and not religious. Some people think if they don't believe in religion but still hold to a strict moral code they are spiritual. Some people believe that they are spiritual because they attempt to maintain a sense of wonder about the world while holding no religious beliefs. Some consider themselves spiritual because they hold one of the non-Christian beliefs like Buddhism, Wicca, etc.

I don't think it's ever intentional trickery, just the difference in what one person means by it.

Answer 2

It's because most religions 'off the shelf' have a few bits to them which don't appeal to people: It might be the no seafood part, it might be the wearing of head to foot enormous black robes, it might just be the burning of live human sacrifices in wicker cages. Each to their own.

It's much easier to create a bespoke religion and call it 'spiritually minded', and then you can make up the rules as you go along.

Answer 3

mendacity is seen a severe sin in Islam. it quite is merely not allowed, because of fact Islam and lie are incompatible. yet, on an analogous time as i'm at dwelling house, sound asleep or approximately to take a tub or feeling drained, i don't carry my telephone and tell considered one of my sons to assert i replaced into not there. They consistently hesitate announcing it replaced right into a sin. and that i encourage them to bypass forward and say it on my duty. It takes place once or twice a week. My occupation is programming and my consumers are too stressful. What to do ? I curse Alexander Graham Bell for this nasty invention. yet in addition am frightened of duty contained in the hereinafter. Muhammad Javed Iqbal

Answer 4

I would say that it could simply be that people who say such things believe that being "religious" entails active practice of that religion, rather than holding strong beliefs about it. Whereas you may interpret "religious" as just having clear, set, rigid guidelines, and "spirituality", in contrast, as similar beliefs to religion, but much looser pratice and interpretation of them. Just a slight desparity in definition, is all...

Answer 5

I'm still trying to figure out how some who does not believe in a spiritual being, can claim to be spiritual ! Rather oxymoronic.
God Loves You ! He Really Does !
OM

Answer 6

Some people call religion the social aspect of spirituality.

These people can rigidly believe things but do not class themselves as religous.

Answer 7

no idea. i try not to be like that myself though. if someone has a question about my religion I try to answer to the best of my knowledge or point them to someone who can give them an answer if I can't.

Answer 8

It means I have religion-like beliefs but don't want to be externally accountable.

Answer 9

I think it means I am not an atheist but beyond that I don't have a clue.

Answer 10

Pagans. Religion is killing this world.

The trick is this, worship God, acknowledge his son Jesus Christ as your savior, by faith and hope.