Do you consider yourself religious/spiritual?

[ella23]

It seems like most, or at least a significant number of people these days identify as atheist or agnostic? I have also noticed that some only do this because a many others look down at them/ridicule them if they admit to being religious and/or spiritual.

[curiousnycgirl]

I consider myself spiritual and traditional, but not necessarily religious.

 

However the term religious probably has different defiition to me. I was raised in an orthodox jewish environment, so to me the term religious means someone who follows the laws. I don't anymore.

 

However I do believe in a higher power - and I do believe in the spirit of the old testament. I just dont necessarily believe in all the rules anymore. To me those are man made.

 

However I continue to identify myself as a strongly affiliated jew.

[redtail]

First: Interesting assumption of people's motive, that the reason some would deny being religious would be due to fear of persecution. I would have to respectfully say that is an extremely biased opinion. Perhaps there is another explaination, like that's what they believe?

 

Second: Being religious and spiritual are not synonymous. There are many that are one without the other.

[ella23]

First: Interesting assumption of people's motive, that the reason some would deny being religious would be due to fear of persecution. I would have to respectfully say that is an extremely biased opinion. Perhaps there is another explaination, like that's what they believe?

 

Second: Being religious and spiritual are not synonymous. There are many that are one without the other.

I know they are different, just wondering what people identify as.

 

As for the first point, I meant that I know certain peple who have admitted to not being honest about their beliefs due to that reason.

[sally4sara]

I use to be a born again christian.

Then I left my family's umbrella of accepted information and found out what i was not allowed to be exposed to.

 

The stories did not hold up to facts and I became aware of the things that had happened in my family soley due to their faith base. I was disgusted.

[quankanne]

definitely spiritual, but tend to be a backslider about things like attending Mass though I believe what the Catholic faith teaches.

[Eve]

I consider myself a spiritual being and identify myself as Christian with Shaman leanings because of my expectation and identification with The Holy Spirit of God.. but I dont believe in the westernised, capitalist version of the 'white Jesus'.

 

Take care,

Eve xx

[redtail]

I know they are different, just wondering what people identify as.

 

As for the first point, I meant that I know certain peple who have admitted to not being honest about their beliefs due to that reason.

 

Fair enough, I appreciate your clarication. I am in no way religious, but consider myself spiritual.

 

Being dishonest regarding admitting ones religious leanings is not limited to those who profess to be atheist or agnostic. I would argue that there are many who publicly say they are religious but their actions do not support those beliefs. Two way street.

[disgracian]

I find sufficient wonder in nature. I see no reason to look elsewhere for answers or meaning.

 

Cheers,

D.

[TaraMaiden]

I'm Both Spiritual and Religious.

But I don't ascribe to a God of any kind.

[TaraMaiden]

I'm Both Spiritual and Religious.

But I don't ascribe to a God of any kind.

 

re⋅li⋅gion  [ri-lij-uhn] Show IPA

–noun

1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.

2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.

3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.

4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.

5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience

 

The Bolded text covers what I follow.

 

EDIT NOTE:

And I have noooooo idea how my post duplicated in that way.

And only in part!

[Eve]

Tara,

 

How would you define Buddhism as being spiritual? Or is that somehow seperate to your view of the philosophy?

 

Take care

Eve xx

[Enema]

I'm not religious or spiritual.

 

The furthest I've ever come to it since leaving my parents church as a teen was trying to change the colour of my eyes - aka The Craft. Oh my

[ella23]

Fair enough, I appreciate your clarication. I am in no way religious, but consider myself spiritual.

 

Being dishonest regarding admitting ones religious leanings is not limited to those who profess to be atheist or agnostic. I would argue that there are many who publicly say they are religious but their actions do not support those beliefs. Two way street.

 

Yes, that is true.

[redtail]

I find sufficient wonder in nature. I see no reason to look elsewhere for answers or meaning.

 

Cheers,

D.

 

Well said.

[TaraMaiden]

Tara,

 

How would you define Buddhism as being spiritual? Or is that somehow seperate to your view of the philosophy?

 

Take care

Eve xx

 

That's a good question Eve....

 

For my own part, I think that somebody 'spiritual' is seeking to find a serene place to be, within themselves, and is eager to establish a calm and content, joyous attitude, within, without attempting to control, deny, resent or change what goes on outside the Self....

Spirituality to me, means being focused on the Self, but focused on the self in a manner in which one can completely accept one's self as one is, but realise that every day can bring further developments to challenge - or nourish - the Contentment one is seeking do attain. I think Spirituality is focused more on achieving a 'level' Self, while religion is focused on a specific practice with discipline, guidance and Devotion. So there is an inner peace that spirituality brings because spirituality is about yourself.

Combine this with the satisfaction of Practising the Religion one follows, and there is a whole-ness that can be achieved with immense reward....

[alphamale]

no i'm not religious, i may be a little "spiritual" whatever that means

[TaraMaiden]

I told you what it means.

Go with it.

[redtail]

etc...

For my own part, I think that somebody 'spiritual' is seeking to find a serene place to be, within themselves, and is eager to establish a calm and content, joyous attitude, within, without attempting to control, deny, resent or change what goes on outside the Self....

Spirituality to me,

etc...

 

Wow, that's awesome, I like your definition!

[Eve]

Taramaiden.. isnt that a desciption of mood? Spirituality in essence is the belief in a soul seperate from the self. Some branches of Buddhism accepts such a concept but not all.

 

Please clarify if poss.

 

Take care,

Eve xx

[TaraMaiden]

It's my definition of Spirituality for me. And no, of course it's not a mood. it's a process of finding a perpetually serene state, no matter what the mood might be.

 

You may hold that Spirituality is a 'belief in a soul separate from the self.'

I don't.

 

And as far as I'm aware, no branch of Buddhism accepts the concept of a transmigrating soul, in the same way other theistic religions do.

 

I might be wrong of course.

If I am, doubtless you'll let me know, but I really am not of that mind.

 

But it's not my definition.

[Toki]

I'm a Unitarian Universalist. Spiritual, but accepting of science and reason. I don't believe humans have a specific "purpose" other than we happen to be the dominate species on our planet at this time. I do believe however, that the machinations of the universe are infinitely intertwined, and that all processes (birth, life, death) happen to be a reality that is true for everything, not just life, but we're recycled just the same as everything else on the molecular level, eventually atoms from our bodies will be reinvested back into the earth in some form or another, H2O being the first. I'm as physically, and mentally tied to this planet as one can be, and perhaps spiritually as well, as this planet is dependent on the solar system, as the solar system on the Local Cluster, etc.. If that is what god is, that's spectacular, if not, it's still beautiful.

[Trojan John]

I love it when my posts magically get deleted.

[Itzo]

I think that any type of religion is a form of conditioning that in most cases works against people's natural inclinations.

 

This is terrible! If you ignore your biological drives, this will create a friction inside you. This will always bothers you and challenge your belief system.

 

Beliefs have to be flexible, thus making a conscious choice of changing them, if necessary.

 

Some beliefs people have are limited beliefs. They prevent people from moving forward, and getting whatever they want out of life. That's why flexible beliefs (being able to alter them at any time) is an important skill in life.

[Eve]

It's my definition of Spirituality for me. And no, of course it's not a mood. it's a process of finding a perpetually serene state, no matter what the mood might be.

 

You may hold that Spirituality is a 'belief in a soul separate from the self.'

I don't.

 

And as far as I'm aware, no branch of Buddhism accepts the concept of a transmigrating soul, in the same way other theistic religions do.

 

I might be wrong of course.

If I am, doubtless you'll let me know, but I really am not of that mind.

 

But it's not my definition.

 

 

Well, I was wondering how spirituality would be defined if one takes the stance that humans are purely an organism... but its ok.. didnt mean to offend. I will ask a friend what they think in real life.

 

Take care,

Eve xx