Spiritual but not religious?

Question

I was Catholic, a Mormon and a last non denominational Christian. Now I am not active at all. I'm not sure if it's because I am losing faith, or that I am becoming an atheist. I don't feel anything when I am at church anymore. Ever since I first started working a hospice, I became more open minded, more spiritual, but less religious, or not at all religious.

I feel something around mother nature... I feel relaxed when I am walking through a park, looking at the sky day or night, sailing on a boat, when it rains or snows, I fear but have a deep respect of nature's disasters such as twisters, hurricanes, etc.. I feel that a plant has feelings... is this a psychological problem??

I feel lost...

I don't want to be preached, and no sarcasm please. I just want appropriate opinions from everyone of all different faiths. Thank you!

Yea, I thought so too, but I have a problem, there are alot of things in the bible that I just have a difficult time believing in. I think that I would be a hypocrite, if I say yea I'm a christian but there are plenty of things I question and disagree on.

Those who have any religion, they have thier own beliefs and thier own heaven & hell (if they believe so), well, I thought maybe, is it possible for all of us to end up in the same place after death? This is what concerns me the most, if I die, where do I go? Will I go to heaven,or hell, will my spirit stay on earth or will I reincarnate?

Answer 1

Religion is when man takes what is God's and twists it to suit his own purposes for the most part. There are good churches out there but don't stick with them if they are making you feel disconnected from God. Nature is what God has created, like you this is where I feel most at peace as well. It makes sense since He created it and it remains untouched by man, other than pollution and what man destroys. Continue praying that God shows you in other ways - what He is all about. I read email devotionals and books by Joyce Meyers and other such things.. Don't give up on God because of religion.

Answer 2

Phae as always interesting questions... The Roman Catholic Church is the only true religion and all others are either false or misled. I am creating a gap so that people can thumb me down or up from just the statement above. I said that when I was 16 when I was a student in London among Orthodox Christians, Muslims, and Agnostics. We were on the 3 rd floor of the student dorm. I was almost thrown out the window that night. I never said that since then. For I vowed never to think in those terms. Currently I am Buddhist, and I make it a habit never to say something like, MY Buddhism is better than others. There is NO such thing. So to answer your question, I define S & R tolerance as being able to accept other religions as what they are. I try to practice tolerance daily but I still believe in what I do. Although I do not say or think that our religion is superior to others what I do right now works for me. It is the very essence of 'belief' isn't it? I see it this way, each religious entity (organization) have to maintain a particular shape and a specific border. They are like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle. There are borders which fit specifically into another. The whole puzzle constitutes the picture. It is what makes sense. At that point we see the picture and that we are ALL ONE. Thanks for a great Q!!!!!

Answer 3

I would agree with you, your lost. However, its better to be lost then deceived, there's more hope for you.
I was once lost myself until The Creator in His mercy revealed Himself to me. I was also unsure about alot of things and had questions. Jesus Christ has opened my eyes and healed my soul, He has given me spiritual knowledge and understanding. As a soul that has been born-again I walk through this world seeing what most do not, "knowing" what most do not, only because of The Lords free grace

I know you probably didn't want to hear Jesus' name because where you've been, I would've told you, you would never find the truth in one of the cults ( catholic, Mormon, etc ) They just cast God in a false way and you can never come to know Him.I'm not trying to recruit you to my church, this has nothing to do with church, I'm just pointing you to the "answer" His name is "The Lord". If you sincerely seek the truth then get alone and call out to Him, ask Him to reveal Himself and to show you His great salvation, and He will not disappoint you. This is what I have found, may you also find the truth.
Read the gospel of John, these are the words of eternal life.

Answer 4

I once became alot like you. Lost. I could find happiness, but only a temporary kind. Nothing that lasted. This went on for many years. I never lost my belief in God, but I did lose closeness with Him. Then one day, I met a person that was so saturated with the Holy Spirit that it rubbed off on me, so to speak. I discovered that by praying and talking with God, and reading His word daily and believing in His power and glory that I had found a true happiness that never goes away. Just going to church doesnt get it done, but by actively seeking His will and staying in touch daily with Him will give you peace and comfort. May God bless you

Answer 5

The relaxation you feel when you walk through the park is the peace of God. God hasn't changed, it's you that has changed. Try walking back towards God and you will find your answer. Keep walking away and you'll get your answer too, you just probably won't like it much. And you KNOW that to be the truth!

Answer 6

I grew up Luthern (Catholic lite). I didn't get any answers to my questions, so I explored several other religions. Buddism & Taoism came closest to answering my spiritual questions. I am agnostic leaning towards atheism. I have read the entire bible & a lot of other versions.

I feel closest to "God" when I am in nature also. I live near the ocean & try to get there as often as I can.

Answer 7

What is it your looking for?

Many religions claim they know the way but they are blind. If you are seeking the truth and to know God, keep praying and seeking. If you are sincere, he will lead you.

I have been to many churches and came away empty as well, yet I believed what I read in my bible was real. The more of my life I am willing to give up, the more he reveals himself to me and teaches me.

Answer 8

God desires a personal relationship with us it sounds like you never developed that relationship. Have you accepted Jesus as your savior and surrendered your life to him? If so you need to find a church that teaches the Bible and building a relationship with Jesus. Study the Bible and seek God there. Listen to christian radio, sing praise and worship songs and pray. God will become alive for you. God is not found in the crash of thunder. or the roaring of the wind or waves of the ocean, He is the still small voice.

Answer 9

You are just experiencing what Heidegger calls "Being in the world." It is a phase where one feels connected to the fabric of reality, even to the microbe level. Many people believe that Matter is just Spirit made manifest. Look at Pierre Teilhard de Chardin or Sri Aurobindo.

It could be a maturing period for you. It could be that God is showing his magnificence to you through nature. No matter what, I say explore explore, and inquire.

Although you don't want to be preached to....let me show you an excerpt that aided me to go through many paths(literally, I am a Catholic yet explored Sufism, Vedanta, Tibetan Buddhism, and even Meso-American Mysticism):

How different the man who devotes himself to the study of the law of the Most High! He explores the wisdom of the men of old and occupies himself with the prophecies;

He treasures the discourses of famous men, and goes to the heart of involved sayings;

He studies obscure parables, and is busied with the hidden meanings of the sages.

He is in attendance on the great, and has entrance to the ruler.

He travels among the peoples of foreign lands to learn what is good and evil among men.

His care is to seek the LORD, his Maker, to petition the Most High, To open his lips in prayer, to ask pardon for his sins.

Then, if it pleases the LORD Almighty, he will be filled with the spirit of understanding; He will pour forth his words of wisdom and in prayer give thanks to the LORD,

Who will direct his knowledge and his counsel, as he meditates upon his mysteries.

He will show the wisdom of what he has learned and glory in the law of the LORD'S covenant.

Many will praise his understanding; his fame can never be effaced; Unfading will be his memory, through all generations his name will live;

Peoples will speak of his wisdom, and in assembly sing his praises.

While he lives he is one out of a thousand, and when he dies his renown will not cease.

Answer 10

Being spiritual is a good thing and is a religion in itself, if you think about it. If you believe in a supreme being and his role in the universe, then when you are sitting and enjoying mother nature and all that she has to offer, you are feeling God. You don't have to be "religious" to feel God. Religion is something made by man, being spiritual is something directly from God, something that brings you closer to him and all that he has created. So...don't feel lost, go with your feelings and keep communing with nature and enjoying all this world has to offer.