"Spiritual But not Religious"

ChristineR

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Does anyone know what this means? What do you think it means when you hear it? At least one person who was appalled when I told her I was atheist calmed down when it was established that I was "spiritual." I'm not sure what I told her, but as I'm keenly interested in morals, ethics, philosophy, psychology and all that good stuff, I think it was something along those lines.
 
Religious implies both an organised set of beliefs (as in beliefs associated with an organised religion) and in many circumstances an theistic belief (hence why many Buddhists deny that they are religious- although many others disagree).

"Being spirtual" is basically having a religion without the organisation and/or without the anthropomorphic interventionist deity.

It's also a “nice” catch-all term for these people who haven't thought to much abbot what they believe, but like to think that there is “something”.
 
It usually means an overabundance of silver and lapis lazuli jewelry, a dreamcatcher hanging from the rearview mirror, and patchouli incense. Oh, sweet merciful Allah, the patchouli.
 
Marquis de Carabas said:
It usually means an overabundance of silver and lapis lazuli jewelry, a dreamcatcher hanging from the rearview mirror, and patchouli incense. Oh, sweet merciful Allah, the patchouli.
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Now I'm going to puke. Can't it mean having a library full of Kant and Hume instead? Or maybe just liking the Harry Potter books? I don't love the Harry Potter books, but I do like them.
 
If I remember correctly, Ann Druyan uses the word to express the feelings associated with religious feelings in a non-religious context. I also use the word in a similar way, though I take pains, when I do, to point out that I acknowledge these feelings in an entirely physicalist way.

An atheist who is "spiritual" is nothing more than a person who treasures feelings of awe and wonder, feels deeply connected to the world around them, and uses these feelings to empower their lives.
 
ChristineR said:
Does anyone know what this means?
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Pretty much as Brodski put it, plus Agnostic, Buddhist, Neo-Pagan, and New age.

ChristineR said:
What do you think it means when you hear it?
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"I already have a religion, so I don't really want to hear about yours."

ChristineR said:
Now I'm going to puke. Can't it mean having a library full of Kant and Hume instead? Or maybe just liking the Harry Potter books? I don't love the Harry Potter books, but I do like them.
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Really, it's such a vague term that it can mean practically anything the speaker wants! I remember a girl who claimed to be "spiritual but not religious." It turned out to be her way of saying that she was seeing a psychiatrist 2 or 3 times a week.
 
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ChristineR said:
Now I'm going to puke. Can't it mean having a library full of Kant and Hume instead? Or maybe just liking the Harry Potter books? . . . .
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Sure, but it's not as much fun as saying lapis lazuli jewelry and patchouli all in the same sentence.
 
ChristineR said:
Does anyone know what this means? What do you think it means when you hear it? At least one person who was appalled when I told her I was atheist calmed down when it was established that I was "spiritual." I'm not sure what I told her, but as I'm keenly interested in morals, ethics, philosophy, psychology and all that good stuff, I think it was something along those lines.
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You should probably ask that question to whoever was responsible for establishing that you were spiritual.

Interestignly enough I just heared a song on the radio where guy-being praises girl-being with the words "you are spiritual". (Sorry, I cant seem to find out the precise lyrics or who it's by. Swiss song is all I know.)
 
Fnord said:
plus Agnostic, Buddhist, Neo-Pagan, and New age.
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being agnostic has no direct bearing on whether one is "spirtual" or not, neo-pagenism can often be descirbed as religion rather than just "spirtual" and buddism, as I said, can go both ways.
 
Well, I know the "spiritual but not religious" type. It's someone who doesn't subscribe to religious orthodoxy, doesn't practise religion (though they've usually had a religious upbringing) and is politically and culturally liberal but is still interested in the metaphysics of that sort of thing.
 
brodski said:
being agnostic has no direct bearing on whether one is "spirtual" or not, neo-pagenism can often be descirbed as religion rather than just "spirtual" and buddism, as I said, can go both ways.
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I based my comment on the Agnostics, Buddhists, Neo-Pagans, and New-Agers that have told me how spiritual they are.

I never would have known if they hadn't told me, btw...
 
Fnord said:
I based my comment on the Agnostics, Buddhists, Neo-Pagans, and New-Agers that have told me how spiritual they are.

I never would have known if they hadn't told me, btw...
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But not all Agnostics, Buddhists and Neo-Pagans are spirtual rather than religious, being "spirtual" rather than "religious" isn't an essental part of those beleifs so there is no need to make specific room for, or mention of, them.
 
I am a very spiritual person,I believe in spirits.Especially spirits like vodka,whisky,gin or barcadi.
 
brodski said:
But not all Agnostics, Buddhists and Neo-Pagans are spirtual rather than religious...
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Of course. Just as all Agnostics, Buddhists and Neo-Pagans and are not arrogant, condescending, and socially myopic people who easily take offense at the slightest provocation, rather than being exceptionally intelligent and perceptive.
 
I like to think of myself that way.

I like philosophy and ethics.

I don't like dogma.
 
l0rca said:
An atheist who is "spiritual" is nothing more than a person who treasures feelings of awe and wonder, feels deeply connected to the world around them, and uses these feelings to empower their lives.
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I've been called a "woo-atheist" for that, but yes, that's my "spirituality."
 
Tsukasa Buddha,

"I don't like dogma."

Your karma just run over my dogma!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

More serious post being constructed as we laugh.
 
I believe we can be spiritual without being religious. It's more to do with self-awareness and personal and spiritual growth. People are leaving the churches and discovering their own god-like abilities through relaxation and meditation. Power to them!​
 
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