“I’m spiritual but not religious.”
WTF.
Why do people say this?
Yes, we know you’re spiritual. Everybody is spiritual. Mafia hitmen are spiritual. We’re all made up of body, soul, and spirit. So why are you telling me about it?
…you could say you’re not religious without adding the “spiritual” thing and confusing the heck out of us. Not Religious is a good thing to be. It’s easy. It’s succinct. It’s the official doctrine of many political parties, including the Communists. It’s a way to say “I’m not concerned with God, churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, monasteries, or Holy Writ. I’m going it alone.”
So just leave “spiritual” out of it.
But they won’t.
We have to know how spiritual they are.
Fortunately we have some guideposts provided by Tara Burton, a writer for Vox who recently reported the results of a study conducted by something called the Public Religion Research Institute, which, upon cursory examination, is a think-tanky D.C. polling organization founded in 2009 by an Emory University professor who believes that “white Christianity” is dead. The “nonpartisan” PRRI is dedicated, according to its website, to “illuminating America’s changing cultural, religious, and political landscape.” Apparently this includes a lot of spiritual non-religion.
ht/ Chuckie
Right up there with I’m not fat I’m big boned.
What must one do to be saved?
#1 Believe that God, I AM, the Father exists.
#2 Follow Romans 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Oh no! Now I have to read EVERYTHING Joe Bob Briggs wrote! That is some really terrific writing right there. The only thing he left out — and I think it was purposely omitted — is that being *spiritual* rather than *religious* is meant to convey a pointed uniqueness and superiority of thought and insight to the nature of existence; though he did come close by describing it as “I’m going it alone.”
Thanks, Fur, for sharing this. I’m always forgetting how much I like Taki’s Mag.
I had to laugh out loud at some of Briggs’ examples of *spirituality*. A couple years back we attended a weekend Christian apologetics conference in which one of the main speakers did a breakout on a particular topic and it was discussed how very devoted people can become to their own, deeply religious, free-styling *spirituality*. I mean, the lengths we will go in creating and defending something that has absolutely no basis in historical fact and could never be subjected to any kind of testing is mind-boggling. And yet, the same people will denigrate Christianity as a fraud, and it’s followers as mindless sheep. I think at the core of it is a desire to skirt all accountability. No measurements, no sin. It’s all good — as they say.
Thanks again, Sir Fur. Good stuff.
I don’t consider myself to be religious or of a particular religion, but I do try to follow Christ and His teachings. Although I haven’t set foot in a church in many years for a number of reasons, I regularly study the Bible in depth including the “Old Testament” (Covenant) which contains most of the scriptures Christ and Paul used in their teachings (although many “evangelicals” today seem to ignore the “Old” Covenant as being irrelevant).
I don’t consider myself as belonging to any particular denomination or “religion”. I personally consider “religions” as being a man-made set of doctrines and rituals.
I accept God’s Word as pure truth and try to follow its precepts the best I can.
Although I consider myself to be a Christian (Christ follower), I don’t consider Christianity to be a religion but rather the reality that exists for all mankind in this earthly realm.
I try to seek God (Christ) Himself rather than “the image of God”. Thus, I didn’t see a proper category listed in the article that would fit my beliefs.
Bubba’s Brother — You do fit a category: In the vernacular, you are a seeker. Keep seeking. A.S.K.
Matthew 7:7-12 New International Version (NIV)
Ask, Seek, Knock
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
The Old Testament, formally, is God’s covenant with His people, the Jews. As you know, it wasn’t until Christ’s birth, death and resurrection that there was a New Covenant that included gentiles. Evangelicals who ignore the history of God’s interaction with His people and how the Old Testament is imperative to the New, are only telling half of the greatest story ever told.
I think when people make a point of saying they aren’t religious or they avoid being religious may be missing out on the one of the best parts of Christianity — being in corporate worship and service to each other in the body of Christ — the church. It’s a hassle, for sure, because then you have to put up with all the sinners. LOL!
Even atheists are religious. Everyone is.
Joe Mudd,
1 Cor 15: 1-4, the preaching that Christ died for our sins and was raised for our justification, is what you want, not Romans 10.
@AA – I certainly wouldn’t consider myself as being a “seeker” along the lines expressed by most large churches these days that are trying to be “seeker sensitive”, but I get your point (I’m not a “seeker” in the sense that the Rick Warrens, Andy Stanleys, et. al. put forth as being their “target audience). Maybe I should rephrase that ……. I found God (Christ) many years ago, but I continue to try to develop my relationship with Him by seeking out His truth as written in His Word.
I really have nothing against attending church and do miss the fellowship of other Christians (and “sinners” as well LOL) to some extent, but my personal circumstances make it more difficult for me to attend than for most.
Oddly enough, even in the small town I spend my time in currently, not a single person has invited me to come to their church over the several years that I’ve been staying with my dad.
I talked to the pastor at one local church for a couple of hours who was directing traffic for a “5k run” one night in front of our house. I was asking him about his church and what they taught / believed, but he only wanted to talk about college football LOL. Other people that I’ve known for years talk to me about being Sunday school teachers or otherwise involved in their church, but none have ever actually asked me if I wanted to visit their church for services.
I honestly don’t think that I’m that “unpopular” or even disagreeable (which I’m not, particularly in normal conversation). I think most people just don’t even think about it these days. They’re just too wrapped up in their own thoughts / lives to do it.
When I was a child, I remember it being a “thing” for people to invite others to visit their church, but I don’t see much evidence that it is even thought of these days. Just part of our society (or lack thereof) these days I guess.
Most of the people I’ve run into over my lifetime that claim to be “spititual” smoked a lot of weed among other things LOL.
For the record, simply believing God is real is not enough by itself. Satan, along with every angel that waged war against God, KNOW He is real and they are going to hell in a hand basket.
“I’m spiritual but not religious.”
This is what people say instead of “I can’t even fake some philosophy or religion in a casual conversation…”
I’m one of those curmudgeons who believe the world would be an infinitely better place if everyone would practice their own beliefs (or the lack of them) in silence and quit worrying about what everyone else is doing or believing.
Jihadists and Seventh Day Adventist door-knockers, take note.
😉
Been to plenty of alanon meetings. They, like the article says like to use the words higher power and spiritual.
I pointed out once that they start each meeting with a creed, 12 steps, communion consists of coffee, the sermon is preached by the members speaking and the Bible is the Big Blue Book. I told them the root of the word religious in Greek is “to bind”, and that’s not a bad thing, we all have that desire to a certain extent. (Vietvet excluded I guess)
I always took that phrase to mean “I believe in a god but like to sleep in on Sunday”. No more or less.
I suppose it could also be a way of saying, “whatever how much of a loose believer I am that at least I’m not an atheist”.
“Hey! Look at me!”
“Hey! Look at me!”
“I’m Special!”
“I’m spiritual but not religious” is for people who are “uncomfortable” with God but haven’t the balls to say outright “I hate God, and everything for which He stands!”
There are those who profess to believe in ghosts, witches, Globaloney Warming, and devils but who deny the existence of God – all the while railing against Him, in whom they don’t believe!
The human mind is a curious thing.
Prior to the invasion of Egypt, Napoleon and his Generals were drinking and discussing Philosophy. Meeting Napoleon on the deck of the ship, one of his Generals (I forget which – some French dude) remarked with great satisfaction that they had concluded that God did NOT exist.
Napoleon, with a wave of his arm at the star-laden sky retorted: “Yes. But who created THIS?”
izlamo delenda est …
Being born again through faith in Christ has radically transformed my life from the inside out and taught my what being spiritual is, it is listening to and being led by (following) Gods Holy Spirit. It is not believing in spirits, being in touch with ones inner self, meditation or anything else that people want to call being spiritual.
Of COURSE they’re religious – they worship the god of the bathroom mirror: who says, “You’re JUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSST FINE! Don’t change a thing, babe!” 😉
Just wait until they find out WHERE that… “god”… actually resides… 😮
Bubba’s Brother, I get what you mean. I was raised in Church and I raised my children in Church. I don’t attend Church now because my experiences with Churches now is that they are getting away from teaching God’s Word and “changing with the times.” Can’t offend anyone who might be committing adultery, might be a liar, gay, etc.
I miss the fellowship as well, but today in my experience it’s not the fellowship I care to have.
I will never lose my faith in God, but I have lost my faith in man.
Joe Mudd <— left off the last part. Mark 16:16
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Acts 8:37 Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
Vietvet,
If you should find yourself condemned for your sins and facing eternity in the Lake of Fire, you will likely try to blame God for not sending you one of the very few busybody pests with the good news that could have saved you. But you’ve already read it here, so you’ll be completely without excuse if you die having refused to believe it.
I sincerely hope it doesn’t go that way for you, but it’s your call.
And here all these years I have said I am religious, but not spiritual.
I’m spiritual but not religious = I like sin cuz it’s fun, but I’m still hoping to get a pass cuz my heart’s in the right place.
Religion is man’s attempt to explain God’s word (scripture and Jesus). He interprets what he thinks the scripture means, which could be accurate or not. His rules, based on his interpretation, is what people strive to follow. If your religion follows scripture alone with dependence on the leadership of God, you are more likely to be on the right track than a religion that follows man-made (especially the ones who specialize in one thing; like prosperity, social justice or snake handling) rules.
Spirituality is more of a manifestation of what is in you, either God’s leadership or someone else’s. This is used more often by people who do not want God in their lives but place their faith in anyone or anything to fill the need for direction.
Or something like that!
If you believe the government should force your viewpoint upon people by the point of a gun you ARE NOT spiritual.
@grool: I find it extremely presumptuous of you to assume that I have not already been saved, that I might find myself facing eternity in a lake of fire for my sins (of which you know nothing), and for that matter, for you to preach to me your religious opinions when I did not ask for them. Go back and read my previous comment and you will see how you can make the world a better place.
P.S. – If you are still unclear on this, look up the meaning of the letters “M.Y.O.B.”.
Man’s religions are not necessary to hae a relationship with God; the way I see it, religions attempt to supplant Christ’s role in our salvation, like money changers outside the temple – or maybe carnival barkers.
The bigger the religion, the more corrupted to this world it is – Catholicism immediately comes to mind.
I place cafeteria Catholics under this umbrella – although they won’t admit it. They insist on making it up, by picking and choosing, from Catholicism or from any other source that they stumble across, as they go along too.
The only path to salvation is through Jesus. Everything else is folly. Follow the Bible, not any particular religion or denomination. If the church you attend does not follow Scripture, it is just as worthless and lost as any other false religion.
Believe in the Lord Jesus, if you love Him, follow His commands. Trust in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. If you are hoping you are “good enough”, you’re not. None of us are good, all have fallen short….
So one of my sons told me I was kinda fat. I said No I’m big boned. His reply, You’d have to be. But serious if you don’t belong to church just say so. You can believe in God and not go to church. Besides, anyone who tells me they are very religious unprompted is looking to get into my wallet.
I think Bob M nailed it. Those who are “spiritual” without being “religious” are those that like all the bits about heaven and rewards and God is love but don’t care too much for the “thou shalt not..”.
I think of it in terms of martial arts. Some styles have jumping spin kicks that look totally cool and totally destroy a plank of wood- every time and if you are going up against an untrained behemoth you will most likely break his knees and be the hero of the day. There are other styles that lack the flair and the flash, which is to say they don’t look like the movies but they get the same results- man walks into bar, 5 guys decide to fight him, seconds later all 5 men are knocked out. The topper is that style will crush the flying spin kicker.
But the point being, without discipline, without a road map, spiritually speaking, one is like a ship in the stormy sea without keel or rudder being tossed about by every wind of doctrine. Sadly, many organized institutions have decided to go that route because they makes more money every Sunday but the organizations that are “old school” (we are talking Isaiah 5:20) are providing a Godly services.
What I’m tying to say this “spirituality” thing is just another way to normalize everything by saying “there is no universal right; if you think its good then its good” and thereby there is no universal wrong (who am I to say that is wrong?). That kind of thinking is going to he the cultural rot that will lead to the down fall of the west.
The most important place of worship is between your ears.
The most important place of worship is kneeling in front of the altar where the priest says, in persona Christe, “This is My body,” and holds up the Eucharist.
Vietvet,
I presumed nothing. First word I typed was “if.” Whatever upset you there, it wasn’t me.
If you define religion (as I do) as “any system that tries to explain the origin, purpose and meaning of life, the universe and everything” (LTUAE), then even the most strictly materialistic form of atheism is a religion, and atheists just as religious as anyone else.
Having used this definition dozens of times with atheists, they object by saying atheism seeks to explain nothing. Which is a lie.
Origin of LTUAE: a big explosion that came from…somewhere. Or nowhere (depending on which atheist you ask).
Purpose and meaning of LTUAE: There isn’t one, and every other religion that says there is, is wrong (which automatically elevates materialism to the level of absolute truth…or even “God”).
So for the atheist, no purpose or meaning IS the purpose and meaning of LTUAE. Which, in turn, frees you up to say “You know what we should try next? Eating people” advocate for sex with children.
…AND to advocate for sex with children.
If there’s no ultimate meaning or purpose to the universe, then there’s no judgment, because no Judge.
No Judge, no true right or wrong. Just evolved apes with differing opinions, all of it ultimately signifying nothing but noise.
So…you get the urge to rape children then then eat them…or vice versa? If atheism is true, then in a universal sense…why not?
What difference could it possibly make in the Ultimate Big Scheme when there IS no Ultimate Big Scheme?
None. Enjoy your nihilism and wherever it takes you.
That’s a logical corner that no atheist has ever been able to get out of. They try but they always fail.
More and more, I find God most omnipresent in nature and, even more, in God’s animals, and less and less in so many of his arrogant and superiority-minded people. …..Lady in Red
Most people see themselves as decent generally good and they think being not committed to a specific religious affilliation makes them more spiriual and “enlightened” A prideful and elitist point of view – where have we heard that before. Besides being the foundational ideology of Statism and relativism. believe it or not it started in the Garden of Eden. Eve was beguiled by satan with the question, “Are you sure God said…” She had enough doubt to think God was not open minded enough to other spiritual options she thought were valid thanks to satans lies.
As someone already said on this thread, even the devil and the demons believe God. So there must be some other factor – its knowing God in a personal relationship though Jesus Christ. As a good father knows his child. That kind of intimacy can’t be faked.
Personally, not a fan of religion it’s just a form of worship – a sandwich can be worshiped. It’s what you’re worshipping that matter. I do obey the edict in the Word – Holy Bible not to forsake the assembly. It a way for Christians to “check ourselves before we wreck ourselves”.
About being spuritual. Everything is spiritual as already stated. Trees, animals even a crying out loud rock is spiritual. The important thing is what kind of spirit you’re dealing with, good or bad. Satan is a spirit. Christians are told to test the spirit by discernment of the Holy Spirit. So there are distinctions with serious consequence. There are abdolutes in the material world and spiritual world. It up too individuals ….
“Choose you this day whom you will serve”…The Holy Bible.
I was too distracted to edit. Sorry about that. See, the nature of man is to make mistakes. I thank God he’s got me covered.
“…arrogant and superiority-minded people.”
Ah, the irony.
@grool (at 4:48 pm): So your use of the word “if” gets you off the hook for your comments? That’s good to know, because if you are one of those insufferable religious fanatics whose smug holier-than-thou attitude happens to piss some people off so bad that they punch you in the face, then you may be tempted to blame them instead of yourself, which would be a mistake on your part.
Notice that I prefaced my comment with the word “if”, so if any part of it upsets you, don’t blame me.
VV,
Exactly what it is about people like that (or like me) that bothers you the most…what they’re preaching, how they preach it, or just the fact that they preach at all?
@grool (at 7:48 pm): The fact that they feel free to make comments about me because of what THEY presume to be my beliefs, as though it was any of their business to do so.
Grool….. Your gentle, kind and loving humility cuts like the sun through a thick blanket of clouds on a dreary, damp and overcast day.
….Lady in Red
VV,
I posted to you only because you said that you want people to be silent about eternal matters and not speak to anyone about them, not just to you:
“I’m one of those curmudgeons who believe the world would be an infinitely better place if everyone would practice their own beliefs (or the lack of them) IN SILENCE and quit worrying about what EVERYONE ELSE is doing or believing.”
That’s an odd statement. You’d prefer it if no one was talking about eternal matters? Okay, you’re entitled to that opinion but I still wonder what exactly it is that offends you. No one today (except Mohammedans and atheists) is going around forcing anything on anyone.
Y’know … it’s kinda funny … but the origin of “spiritual” is “breath” and the origin of “religion” is “reverent, obligation.”
The “spirit” was, in its original usage, something to the effect of the “sacred breath” breathed by God into us.
And today, when one asserts “spirituality” as opposed to “religiosity,” the implication is one of Paganism or Animism – a denial of a Living God – except insofar as He manifests Himself in His Works – but otherwise a Grand Watchmaker.
I find most of these mental exercises as absurd almost to the point of lunacy.
Does the E. Coli in our guts conceive the person in which it resides?
Does the molecule of water conceive the Ocean?
Maybe. I don’t know. I’m pretty sure it isn’t worth killing people over.
Except musselmen, of course.
And those damned heathen Chinee!
izlamo delenda est …
@grool (at 4:42 am): I never said I was offended by anyone’s beliefs, did I? Only that the world would be a better place if people would let each other believe what they want, without badgering them, as you are doing here. Perhaps the words “in silence” were a poor choice, since it gives you an opening to attack my viewpoint. O.K., fine – talk about your beliefs all you want, to anyone who cares to listen. Just don’t come banging on my door with religious pamphlets when I am trying to sleep in, or threaten to cut off my head if I don’t convert to Islam.
P.S. – I should have known I was going to flush out some fanatics with my first comment.
I’m assuming you’re a door-knocker, not a jihadist, but I could be wrong about that.
You never know.
VV
It was a post about religion and spirituality. People have strong opinions about their faith. You expected no one to make any comments about a post where you tell people not to voice their opinion to you about their beliefs?
@muddjuice: Go back and read my comment again. I didn’t tell anybody not to voice their opinions to me. For one thing, I know it wouldn’t do any good – people have been trying to convince me to change my religion, my politics, my buying habits, etc., etc., my whole life,
and I don’t expect it to stop now. I guess I sinned when I used the term “in silence” instead of “in peace”), which is what I really meant. So mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa. I used the wrong word. So sue me.
All I wanted to convey is that we would all be better off if we didn’t try to force our beliefs
on others, especially those who didn’t care to hear them. Is that such a hard concept for you to understand?
Me? No. I get it. I don’t force my faith on anyone. I do feel pity for the lost, which is why I am always prepared to give an answer for my faith to any that ask.
I guess if you don’t want comments on your comment, don’t comment. Otherwise, be prepared to give an answer for what you believe when you make comments about what you believe and tell people not to tell you what they believe in answer to what you believe, or refuse to believe.
@muddjuice (at 5:31 pm): That has to be the most confusing, obfuscating comment that I have ever read on this site. I can’t even tell whether I agree with you on it or not, but (as Voltaire would say) I will defend to the death your right to say it.
😉
I’m agreeing with you. Just being tongue and cheek. You always crack me up with your comments here.
I would never force my faith on you and I think that’s a horrible way to witness to people. I live my life trying my best to follow Christ’s commands. I fail at times because I’m a sinful human. But I strive for perfection none the less.
I think people witness to you cause they genuinely care about you.
@muddjuice: That’s the nicest thing that anyone has said to me all day, and I thank you
for the thought.
P.S. – One of these days I’m going to learn not to make any comments on this site that even remotely involve religion, because no matter what I say, somebody’s going to get offended. Gets me in trouble every time.
🙂
If we removed religion, politics, family and sports from our conversation list, what would there be to talk about?
And, what is more important than discussing the fate of our eternal souls?
Make comments, interact, discuss. And have fun doing it. I try not to make things or take things too personal.
I don’t mind discussing religion, to a point, but I hate arguing about it, especially with people whose only purpose in doing so is to try to convert me to their way of thought. Many times such attempts are accompanied by dire predictions of what might happen to me in the Afterlife if I don’t accept the One True Path to Salvation (or something similar), which they just happen to be following themselves. In actuality, after countless hours of such debates, I never convinced anyone to change their beliefs to mine, or vice versa*. It was all wasted time, and that’s why I don’t do it anymore.
You have the right idea. Keep it low-key, and low-pressure. If anyone’s interested, they’ll seek you out.
(* -Probably Radical Muslims would have had the best chance, though. The threat of decapitation can be a strong motivator.)
😉
VV, if you’re purposely being made uncomfortable or you’re being attacked, it’s certainly being done wrong.
Here’s a direct point on the matter. It made all the difference for me.
Proverbs 9:7
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
So, I see you as right. It’s being done wrong for the reasons you cite. Every Christian that gets this lives in a peaceful place, psychologically speaking, regardless of any other’s stance on the subject.
We’re talking about the argumentative aspect. I don’t think you feeling bad if they cry for your eternal soul is the same. They aren’t attacking you with angry rhetoric and actions.
@Dadof4: I was raised as a Christian and (at least at the time) I was taught that you should practice your religion with humility and grace, attempting to peacefully co-exist with your neighbors, even though they might have beliefs that were different from yours.
All I was trying to say (poorly, apparently) is that I think the world would be a better place
if more people followed that philosophy (i.e., live and let live).