Is There A Difference Between A Religious Person And A Spiritual Person?

[idiosyncrasy]

Society is inclined to think that these lifestyles are one and the same, and on the surface they are. So can we be both?

[margarettom]

You can be both but also you can be either.

[rowanwitch]

It is possible to accept life force/ energy without the need for God's of any flavour. We are like all things mostly just energy and space it is not a huge jump to consider our energy interacts with that of the world

[Khandro]

Define "spiritual person" please

[Old_Geezer]

Of course. The former believes the liklihood of spiritual things but generally adopts a particular religion's views on the subject.

I think one encompasses the other, although some may argue that one can live within a religion's rules without really believing it's creed with regards to spirituality.

[Atheist]

I'd be interested in a definition of spiritual person. I think OG didn't really explain it in a way I can understand. I can sort of understand mind and thought and emotions and dreams, but spiritual loses me. I suspect there'd be lots of different interpretations. It seems to me a bit like 'energy' and 'vibrations', which I regard as words borrowed from science because they feel appropriate for something difficult to find words for. But I'd really like to hear something that I can get my head round.

[Theland]

I consider myself spiritual but not religious.
Religious, to me, is following prescribed rituals etc.
Spiritual means having our spirit awakened and aware of a connection to a higher power.

[Peter Pedant]

// Society is inclined to think that these lifestyles are one and the same//
no - that is only the godless lot at the Beeb
the fluffy hacks have no idea of either

what amazes me is how relatively normal class mates at school ( two ) have turned into Protestant Divines. You know I remember them intoning 3 times 4 is 12 and all that. Now......

and it seems to be hereditary - my mother was at med school with a third - Elizabeth Cornerup. she was so holy that her confessor ( *) got defrocked by the Bish ( sort of - - simplifying stuff )

(*) her whaaaaaat? he was an ordained priest and he led her in prayer. and what did the young undergraduettes ( the freaks) say? wholly crazy.
freak was a med student at the Royal Free Hospital
and Sqad? oh he can mumble his way froo the Our Father if you point a gun at his head

[Theland]

That's cleared that one up then.

[naomi24]

A spiritual being need not necessarily be religious. An appreciation of nature, of the universe, of thought, of wonder, of emotion, of love, all equate to spiritual.

I consider you religious rather than spiritual, theland. In my opinion spirituality has nothing to do with a ‘being’ of any description.

[pixie374]

It depends what you mean by "spiritual'. I certainly don't do ghosts, paranormal etc... but think there is far more to people than we have worked out.
Theland, I'm surprised you claim to be not religious? You believe in a god?

[Atheist]

Naomi. Could you perhaps go into 'spiritual' more closely? Is it just to do with the fact that we have emotions and feelings like love, awe, pity, hatred etc? I always think that spiritual means more than that to spiritual persons - something to do with transcendence or being in touch with some extra-physical realm. I've rarely had extra-physical realm experiences.

[idiosyncrasy]

I thought you'd have to have the mind of Christ.

Because the apostle Paul says what a spiritual man and a physical man is.
1 Corinthians 2:14-16
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

[Atheist]

Idiosync...
Could you perhaps explain what the bible quote means? Trying to understand it seems to me a bit like looking at a cloudscape and eventually seeing the face of Jesus or Satan or whatever else your imagination leads you to.

[Theland]

Naomi - I don't follow any religion, so how do you come to that conclusion?

[Neveracrossword]

Theland, you don't have to follow a religion to be religious. The definition of the word, a definition recognised by many (most?) of us is - ' the adjective formed by a belief in, or recognition of or an awakened sense of a higher unseen controlling power or powers'. That seems to work with your belief in God.

[Theland]

Never - Not accurate though is it?
No smells and bells for me, or rituals.

[ToraToraTora]

I am very spiritual, Vodka is may favourite spirit.

[Neveracrossword]

Thanks, Theland. Why is it not accurate? Do you not believe in a higher unseen... power or powers? What has the smells and bells stuff have to do with it? You are, of course, welcome to define for yourself what 'religious' means, even though that could be far removed from the recognised meaning.

[Theland]

Religious to me = rules and rituals.
I don't do that.

[Mozz71]

Strangely (It's happened twice this year now, a new record), I agree with Naomi. Spirituality and religion are two very different things. You can be spiritual by being "in tune" with nature, or at peace with the world around you. I'd consider losing yourself within a sensual* experience to be spiritual.

*I don't mean the sexy kind.