Does it make sense to say "I'm spiritual, not religious"?
Yes.
Side Score: 20
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No.
Side Score: 16
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There is only one true religion. In Catholocism, I was always a rebel. But there were 2 things I remember questioning. 1 was the brass cross with Jesus on it that hung above the blackboard. And the other was when we prepared for "confirmation" I remember these 2 thoughts. In about 2nd grade I asked myself why He died on the cross, and what it actually was for. The other was, is something really going to happen as in an encounter with the Spirit on confirmation. Both were dismissed for the emptiness of answers and expectations. Then I met 2 guys at work that seemed to hear Jesus, and it was interesting. I argued some, and listened some. They had scheduled a home Bible study, and invited everyone at work but me. They didnt want their informative Bible study interrupted by this little rebel. The joke was on them, Im the only one who went to their study. Lol. I took what they said in and decided I want that internal faith that could hear and know Jesus. So I went home and over days I let God know I wanted the real thing. And as Jesus always does, He went through the cost. Its a contract. Each party has a cost or investment required by the terms of the contract. His contract requires a willingness to count all things lost and to live beyond this temporal world. And when you agree He comes in. And you can hear Him and know Him. Watch my 80s guy. Youll get a glimpse of what Jesus intended as His church. I have to say, knowing Him is soooo cool. But honestly most religion is dead or sleeping. Jesus said the road was narrow. So its logical then to say religion is like a crowded highway, beeping at each other and cutting each other off. While those on the narrow road are simply loving and praising and sharing Jesus all the way. Side: No.
If you have beliefs concerning spiritual matters, and they are not in line with any given religion, then you are spiritual but not religious. However, a persons spiritual beliefs are usually derived from some religion, even if they have been modified so as to not strictly adhere to said religion. Side: Yes.
Religion is more often than not hardened to the voice of the Spirit. They stifle Him by their man made doctrines. Thats why I post the crazy things I post. Many of those in religion need to hear the simple just do it and take what He says as truth, which many have hardened their heart to really listening and following the real Jesus that is written plainly and simply in the word. They explain the Gospel Jesus away, and hold an outward religious form. So Jesus ends up knocking on the door outside the churches. As the shepherds leading the flock lead them astray by not teaching the simple following of Christ. My posts often direct people to find truth for themselves and judge what they are taught by what is in their hand. So I am picky because I have truth of Jesus in my hand and His Spirit within to discern fruit and truth. So I encourage people who honestly love light and Jesus to stick with the one written of, and rip up their doctrines of men. Every revival was led by religious rebels that rejected doctrines of men, and proclaimed the simple following of what is written. But then every move of revival gets hijacked by religions packaging God. You cant package God in a box. Look at how deep just those 2 scriptures are in Gen 1 and John 1. Ive had religious people accuse of numerology. Thats because they dont understand the Judaism of our faith. When you understand that, it opens up everything like a key to a secret diary. There are keys to understand. And the Holy Spirit is the key of keys! And He comes in and has many jobs so to speak. One of them is to unlock understanding of the word. Side: No.
It's the equivalent of saying you're independent instead of aligned to a specific political party or ideology. Which means it only is meaningful to other people who are "spiritual" or "independent", and meanwhile the others signed up to dogmas or political parties NEVER understand it. You can see this evident in the responses in the other column. Side: Yes.
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Usually when people say they are spiritual and not religious, they are religious in deed...and it's probably one or another form of Hinduism or atheism which is a religion in which the believers considers themselves to be as good or better than God and they hold themselves up as their own god. Religion is all about what you can do in order to not burn in Hell forever. Reality is that God did for us what we cannot do, He paid our price in death so we can be forgiven of the debt we owe and not have to pay in eternal dying in Hell. No matter what anybody does, no matter how much they claim to go or be good, they can never make themselves innocent and never earn the right to exist outside of Hell. Side: No.
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I understand what Sitar is trying to say. I think Sitar is saying she/he is not religious by rote and ritual and she has a whole heart that loves Jesus. Many religions are quite dead spiritually, so differentiating between following Jesus, or being of a religion by rote of tradition having a mental belief in agreement with traditions of men without an individual experience of being born again by the Holy Spirit is a matter of being alive in Christ, or being dead in traditions of men. And really Sitar has a point. Because most who have religion, even those who profess Him as in the apostles creed are professing with their mouths but their hearts are far from Him. So there is a true difference between the two faiths. Faith of the heart knowledge of Him, and faith of only the head knowledge of Him. Many so called Spirit filled churches are going to miss Him. Believers in many Bible churches have put one piece of scripture on their head like a helmet, and purposely quench the Holy Spirit, and in a twist they take up an armour against the Holy Spirit and the word, and use a shield against the Spirit and mistake HIS fiery thoughts for the fierty darts of the devil, and take HIS guiding thoughts captive. They call conviction by the Holy Spirit for purpose of completing the work of the cross to complete us in Jesus, and dealing with sinful attitudes in their hearts, and they ignore Him deciding sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is “doubt” or “lack of faith.” By their lack of understanding they hush the Spirit. As written in Revelation 3, in which Jesus speaks to the churches saying, I stand at the door and knock,” while they keep the door shut and play church with a false version of Jesus. The helmet is flint, and they wear it as if they have a forehead of flint but it hardened against salvation, the shield of false faith to “quench” fiery darts of the Holy Spirit trying to enter their hearts. Many hold to a form of outward religion, they clean up people outwardly to appear “religious” making a showing without the Spirit transforming power. They then make nice Sunday sermons with His teachings as if Jesus’ words are simply encouraging suggestions. Many have adopted a false Jesus, rejecting the literal interpretation of His word and quench prophetic words meant to keep them on the narrow way, which will go beyond divisions of denomination. If they turn a deaf ear it is also quenching the Spirit. Great message by one of my favorite influences. Its an awesome message. And its fun because its a throwback to the late 70s early 80s Side: Yes.
The term "spiritual" is tossed around in many religions. In reality, a person is carnal and not spiritual if the Spirit of God does not dwell in them, Christ the Savior being the life of sinners redeemed through faith in the blood He shed as payment for their sins. The devil is "spiritual" as he is a spirit. I like to say I live in reality based on truth. People who are not saved don't understand spiritual reality. Side: Yes.
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Spiritual means that you have connections and even direct contact to the paranormal and religious means you believe there exists something supernatural. Even though there is a difference between the too that doesnt mean it makes sense that you are spiritual not religious when you believe in the christian God and all that, because that is indeed what makes you religious. Side: No.
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Religion is the rudder that steers each persons vessel. It directs the purpose within us. It is our way of life that shapes our perception, and by what we use to interpret, evaluate, and act on everthing that is beyond our natural instincts. And if one has little beyond his natural instincts, well then to him, that low basic standard is their religion. Then their natural instincts become their rudder which steers their thoughts, behaviors, and actions. Their religion is a standard of an unreasoning animal that cares only for his natural instincts. No greater than that of a wild dog. Each of us has a religion, individual beliefs that determine what we stand for, or object to. Preference is not a religion, liking or not liking broccoli is not a religion. Preference are not beliefs. Often beliefs go against preferences. Each persons world view, and each ones standards regarding what is right and what is wrong. It measures praise, guilt, or shame. It is the internal guidance of accountability and self introspection. Our standard used to interpret all things around us. Its the guiding factor within us that defines what is good, bad, or indifferent. Its the meter to measure character, principle, or integrity. This is each persons religion by which one holds to and by which one responds to things around them. Whether based on an organized religion or not! . Side: Yes.
Religious is inaccurate because as you say its a belief but it is not necessarily spiritual. In Christianity there is connection of a spiritual nature with the Holy Spirit. Many who are religious but are not spiritual. And most people who are spiritual are not religious. Discerning the Spirit from deceptive spirits, knowing truth from everything else. A Revelation of Christ is the defining difference. I experienced His presence 30 years ago, and again now. All I can say is without experiencing His presence you may not understand it. I want to explain it so you know the difference to help you discern and are not led astray if you want to be a Christian, and as you seek Him in Spirit and truth. I can only say He is like talking light, and like the light of understanding something, usually many things at once. Not like you left your body, or something weird. Its very natural sometimes so subtle you can ignore, and other times very hard to ignore. In my experience He brings undersanding like rays, and the come to me. Not astro projection. Most of that you should question. Till really confirmed. He reveals so we can see by eyes of understanding, showing explanations of how the many pieces connect but yet also stand alone. And how all things flow as one connection of many connections. And not necessarily focused on "current events." He teaches us all things. I'm speaking mostly of a strings of many spiritual concepts to natural concepts. All one voice, echoing one revelation, revealing and glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ. His Spirit illuminates eyes of understanding on His purposes and revealing much of His word through His view. So you can tell by is the spirit glorifying and revealing Christ. Through a revelation of the work of Christ and revealing Him and His purpose, when people speak of insight and the focus is from our sight, as a whole from the one sharing, it maybe a segment, but if its a whole prespective then it is likely not from the Spirit. The Spirits view will be through the Spirits eyes and the revealing of Jesus and God's purpose. Also Jesus calls the Spirit and the word in us a "river of living water from our innermost being." As the Spirit reveals and glorifies Jesus, He flows like a river to water first the Garden and the many good trees who bear good fruit of life! The river of living water flows through us, divisions are dams they stop the flow of His Spirit into the One Body of Christ. So then after the Garden divided into four rivers it flows. (And there may be insight to find here.) Side: Yes.
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