I’d consider myself spiritual, but I do have a religious background and both my parents identified as conservative Christians.
I feel like the main differences is that religion has more clearly laid out teaches and rules and practices. There’s a clear way about how things are supposed to be. There’s a lot of structure.
That’s not bad in and of itself at all.
But arguments arise when it comes to interpretation and application of certain beliefs and practices. There are people who try to leverage religion as a weapon or leverage their position to make others conform to their own unique beliefs and opinions. The water gets muddied and people can get heated on who’s wrong and who’s right.
Religion is not bad in and of itself. But, it has been misused and leveraged for the wrong motives and intentions by people in power or by groups of people. Enforcing their own rules as if they speak for God, and obscuring their misdirection.
At the end of the day, Christendom is supposed to be about loving God and loving others. But, so many people who identify as Christians lose sight of that.
I identify as spiritual from a place of humility, acknowledging that I do not have all the answers.
But, I believe in the supernatural and that higher powers exist. I believe that the higher power/s that govern the universe should be respected and sought to be understood.
But, I also believe in the very likely possibility that such a force or entity or being cannot be so easily packaged and boxed into a human-made religion.
Like ants trying to explain to other ants about the nature of humans. Why do humans speak so authoritatively about that which they do not truly know for certain?
They that exalt themselves will be humbled and they that humble themselves will be exalted.
I am but a human being on this tiny rock space, curious about the truth of reality, respectful of the higher powers that rule. I claim no authority that I can speak on behalf of them. But I can share from my thoughts and experiences and reflections.
That is all one can do when they acknowledge and accept that they do not and cannot know and understand all things.
Religion has done so much evil shit that it should be outlawed. The word "religion" comes from the Latin root of "Religare" which roughly translates into "bind together" Most of what I've seen is the exact opposite. Spirituality is kind of a squishy word,. Honestly, the most intensely spiritual feelings I've had have been courtesy of LSD. After one truly mind blowing and mystic experience I used to- still do- microdoses of psilocybin because it puts me in a spiritual frame of mind. I've lain back on a picnic tble and watched what mathematicians call the Fibonacci process. It's an incredible idea and its in almost everything that occurs naturally. The3 most common example is the shell of a hermit crab. While I was lying back and looking up at a tree I could see it in the leaves the branches all of it. I think psychedelics allow you to focus intensely in the present moment. No worrying about the future or regretting the past. When I'm fully in the present moment colors intensify, music sounds incredible and I can feel my mind dancing with a guitar riff. I sort of think that psychedelics should be required to everyone above age 18. It allows you to see what Aldous Huxley wrote about in Doors of Perception. It was a huge influence to my personal deity Jimi Hendrix. It was the best thing about the Grateful Dead, in fact their sound guy, Owsley, who invented many things commonly seen at any musical performance. Religion, especially western monotheism IMHO is ridiculous. Its the opposite of spirituality. Too many intermediaries between yourself and ultimate reality. I think that the mystics St John of the Cross, Theresa of Avila Julien of Norwich. Whoever wrote the christian manifesto "The Cloud of Unknowing" The Course in Miracles come close to replicating it but Purple Owsley, did for me what Hendrix wrote about in the lyrics "Excuse me while I kiss the sky" Throughout history mystics pop up in any spiritual tradition. From the Jewish Kabbala, the aforementioned Christian mystics; The Islamic Sufis- who dance into a state of delirium, seemed to be able to access that state at times but being unable to access it all the time made St John of the Cross say "my god, my god; why hast thou forsaken me. From what I've seen none of the religious mainstream has a clue and were usually afraid enough of them to Torquemada them. I finally studied Eastern spiritual practices that recognize this state and the resultant Nirvana. The Buddha story includes his freedom from attachment while sitting under the bodhi tree and waited. His contribution was the recognition that Nirvana alone was insufficient and returning to more worldly things to teach others. The father of the actress Uma Thurmond, Robert (I think) Thurman is or maybe was one of the foremost Buddhist scholars in the west. There is French guy whose name escapes me was labelled the "happiest man in the world" based on observation from PET tests, Positive Electron Topography can measure brain activity. Michel; ( fuck me I'm losing my memory). MDs took a sampling of Tibetan monks and they all had significantly more activity in the areas of the brain that measured serenity, joy, and Michel? had the most. He had the most privileged lifestyle, father a famous French philosopher, ate lunch with Stravinsky when he was growing up attended the Sorbonne and had a very prestigious position in France's most well regarded research facility, The Pascal Institute (anglicized) saw a Tibetan monk and instinctively knew that the path to true happiness was in that direction (according to him). He helped write a book with the title- that he wasn't too fond of-named "The Happiest Man in the World" where he narrates his journey. The opposite of Nirvana is self-indulgence like someone who splatters his opinion over mass media- much like my answers to almost everything. Christians were close to it but they decided to follow Irenaeus instead of Thomas The Gnostic. The definition of "sin" was originally "separateness from God". The Greeks translated all of whgart we know about Christianity aside from the dead sea scrolls ( which is where the info about Thomas the Gnostic and other what were called desert Christians. No shortage of opinions here.
Spiritual. There are over 4,000 religions in the world. How can they all be right?
But I do admire religions that promote polygamy, but not polyandry. Doesn't that sound fair? lol
Religious. Spiritual folks follow intuition in an unorganized way, religious folks tend to follow intuition guided by a doctrine or principle.
Opinion
12Opinion
Spiritual - I am Metis, so harmony with nature is important to me. I believe in Mother Nature, therefore my god is a woman. Women are mothers (bearers of life), nurturing figures and wise in traditional aboriginal ways and stories. That is why I have the highest regard for my mother and my grandmothers as they are teachers and descendants of the creator. it is also why I respect women in general.
I was born into religion. Got out at a very young age. Though it was non sense. Religions were created by man. So I guess I'm more spiritual. I'm grateful, for so much, I try to take care of my body and mind. Be respectful towards others, when possible.
Spiritual is of or relating to the regions beyond the earth and the known. For example, I believe in the Universe and the laws of science and nature.
Religious is relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity, a religious person or
religious attitudes, beliefs or observances. For example, I believe in God and his church.
I don't see myself as either, but am curious how others define the difference.
For me the difference is organized religion following others examples, and spirituality being your own way of whatever faith and beliefs you have picked by yourself.
I study the bible most every morning. I think that's love of God and me trying not to be deceived
It's like the difference between chocolate flavour and chocolate.
To the imbecile, they will be "same but different".
Being "spiritual" is being a facetious coward.
I’m religious but I don’t know the difference
Not sure what I'd call it. I believe there is a Creator and strive to live by the standard of not unjustly harming others or violating their property.
Spirituals feel the need of religion, but have some grudge or problem with one of the religions (mostly Christianity)
I don't know. I usually say I am confused.
u I’m Christian
Neither of those.
spiritual
Not at all
Neither off
You can also add your opinion below!
