Religious vs. Spiritual -- Is there a Difference
 

From the Chit Chat section of GC there is a conversation now where several GCers are now talking about whether or not last Tuesday's tragic incident has made people "more religious".

My questions for you are:

A. How do you define being religious?
B. How do you define being spiritual?
C. Is there a difference?
D. Which one are you?
E. Has last Tuesday effected your relationship/views/belief in God?
F. When "bad things" in general happen, what is your take on them?
G. Do you believe that "EVERYTHING happens for a reason"?



I am always cautious about starting topics with others about religion/spirituality so if this topic gets out of hand, then I will close it because GUESS WHAT I Am a MODERATOR NOW :D but I hope that we can have this conversation and be respectful towards others.

Good Topic
 

My belief is that being religious goes hand in hand with your beliefs in God. Therefore, a religious person can also be spiritual. However, a spiritual person is not necessarily a religious one. There are some people that proclaim to be very spiritual, however, they may be into spiritualism, and not religion as it relates to God.

I consider myself to be religious and spritual. I am God-fearing and believe that I am in tune with His spirit. His is the only spirit that I want to be in tune with, if that will help some see the difference.

This situation hasn't changed my relationship/view with God. I think I was already close to Him, although, each day, I yearn to be closer. It , & I might add, Aaliyah's death, served as a chilling word of confirmation that we really need to get our houses in order because you never know whether or not today may be the last day of your life.

I do believe that everything happens for a reason. As you stated that your pastor said (those words really stuck, girl) God already knew that this would happen. You know, there are emails out there talking about Nostradamus' predictions. I know the part of the emails that quote the prediction are a hoax. However, the ones that details how the numbers work out ~ I don't think they are. I've always been taught that God is very mathematical. So, no, I don't think some terrorist sat down and worked out the equation, but God had His own.

As far as when bad things happen, I firmly believe that God allows some things to come into our lives to serve a greater good. Look at Job. The devil thought he was hurting him. However, he couldn't do anything that God had not given him the permission to do. And in the end, Job had more than he'd had before. In reference to the attacks, I don't know God's plans, but because of my faith in Him, I believe that it will all work out for the good of them that love Him.

Re: Religious vs. Spiritual -- Is there a Difference
 

A. I define being religious as doing everything prescribed and in a rigid manner with no sense of flexibility along with an inability to discern the spirit of God in which He may want you to deviate from the "normal routine" for reasons only knownst to Him. Being religious is going through the motions of being a Chrisitian (or whatever religion you may be) but not growing and maturing in God. In a nutshell, it is "playing church"

B. I define being spiritual as having an active relationship with God and seeking ways to forge a closer bond with Him. Doing whatever He may wish to have you do to please Him, even if you don't necessarily want to do it. Being able to go against the pious religion as usual--where He leads, you follow. An unending desire to please the Lord and to have a true relationship with Him.

C. YES! Nuff said.
D. Spiritual, of course! I was religious for at least 20 years. I have been spiritual for the past three, and I have a lot more to show for those three years than I had for the past 20, praise God! On a side note, that is probably the reason why my views on Greeks has been so controversial lately. But anyways...

E. It has forged an even closer bond with the Lord, and I pray that Tuesday's incident will bring the US back to it's founding roots: to be a nation that was formed so that it's people can worship the Lord freely and openly without persecution, restriction or hindrance.

F. There are three reasons why adversity takes place:
1. A direct result of disobedience to God
2. Satan attempting to divert or take away something God has or is about to bestow upon a person(s)
3. As an attempt to test the faith of a person(s).

G. YES!!

Just my input.
RM

Rain Man
 

Let me pick your brain for a minute... What would you call someone like Miss Cleo, or mainly the guy who does "Crossing Over" (John Edwards???)? And don't say fake, even though we may be thinking it!!! a) Religious b) Spiritual c) neither and why....

Just curious.

Re: Re: Religious vs. Spiritual -- Is there a Difference
 

Hmmmm....I can't see anything I would say differently here, so I will just co-sign with Rainman on ALL his responses to the question.

TICKLED PINK: I have some thoughts on what you've asked as well, although I'll let Rainman answer. In a nutshell, I would call them neither. In the latter's case, I haven't seen his program, but I would venture to call these folks ENTERTAINERS. This does not negate my belief that there are many folks who have the spiritual gifts of prophesy and of knowledge/wisdom, but all spiritual gifts are designed to clarify, proclaim and reinforce the word of God, not to tell people about whether their loved one is talking to them on the other side or whether your boyfriend loves them. These don't help articulate the mission of God, so it's unlikely they are spiritual gifts. Gifts are created to enable us to serve and glorify Christ together, and there are no ungifted believers. There are some really good books out there on Spirtiual Gifts. :)

Re: Re: Religious vs. Spiritual -- Is there a Difference
 

Rain Man, you really hit the nail on the head! I couldn't have said it better (i.e., GET OUT OF MY HEAD!). ;) So, I guess my answer will have to be, "Yeah...what he said!" :D

I totally agree as well with Rain Man as well. He literally took the words out of my mouth.

IF ANYONE has varying opinions, please still post.

I will have a PART 2 later today to this question but it is off to work I go. HI HO:p

Re: Re: Religious vs. Spiritual -- Is there a Difference
 

I completely respect your opinion. However, I don't think that everyone that is religious is playing church. Also, religion teaches us to ask for a "spirit of discernment", and it also teaches you that if God is moving you in a certain direction ~ no matter how senseless it may seem to us, we have to listen to Him (hence the importance of discernment). Sometimes that may involve moving out of our comfort zones or "normal routine". That's not actually discouraged by religion, but encouraged. In reference to rigidness and no sense of flexibility, I don't see it that way. We all have many different talents ~ religion grooms us to use them for the Kingdom, rather than the world. I think many dislike the discipline that it may require to accomplish this, but if the ways of the world is what is considered "normal" vs. the ways of God, then I'd have to follow Him.

This is why I think that spirituality and religion should at least go hand in hand. This is why I asked about John Edwards and Ms. Cleo. Many people say that they are spiritual, but what spirits are they referring to? Everyone that is spiritual is not necessarily following the spirit of God.

Re: Re: Re: Religious vs. Spiritual -- Is there a Difference
 

You have made some very valid points, and I must say that I completely respect your opinion as well. I would like to add a few things to what you have already said, however. I totally agree that not everyone who is spiritual is necessarily following the teachings of God, which is why it is important to specify. In my case, being spiritual translates to having a spiritual relationship with God (or "following the spirit of God"). I also agree that not everyone who is religious is playing church. To be religious is to be faithfully devoted to one's religious beliefs, attitudes, and practices. Given these two definitions of "religious" and "spiritual", a person who is religious is not necessarily spiritual and a person who is spiritual is not necessarily religious, but I do agree that the two should and can go hand in hand. In order for God to give you a "spirit of discernment" and to "[move] you in a certain direction", you must first have a personal and intimate relationship with Him. Being religious teaches you how to follow Him, but being spiritual is making the actual journey. IMO, moving out of our comfort zone or "normal routine" simply means not getting so caught up in the "rituals" of religion and everyday life that we neglect to work toward fulfilling the purpose that God has for each of us.

I have no doubt that your statement that "many dislike the discipline [religion] may require" is true for some, but it is certainly not true in my case. Discipline has nothing to do with my choice of the term spiritual over religious. The only problem I have with labeling myself "religious" is that religion is often broken down into different teachings and subcategories (denominations, sects, etc.), and I do not wish to further divide or separate myself from others who truly believe in God and His word b/c that's all that really matters.

BTW, I do consider myself a Christian, so if by some standard that makes me religious, too, so be it. ;)

I see being religious as being devoted to whatever religion you claim. Whether you are a devout Christian, Muslim, etc.

Being spiritual can be a sense of oneness with whatever divine entity that guides you. Some people feel that sense of oneness, but do not "have" a religion. Some folks may believe in God, but do not necessarily see themselves within the more dominant religions.