Are You Religious or Spiritual?

I'm spiritual. I've been religious, but it just didn't fit in with what I truly believe in my heart. We are all just wanderers in this life. There are things that we do to help others and ourselves, and that also hurt others and ourselves. I believe we have a purpose, but we also need the help of Spirit to accomplish some of the things we came to do. Especially to overcome some negative things about ourselves! I think if one is quiet and goes within, the answers will come. Sometimes we are too emotionally attached/effected by the situation, wherein one must seek the help of one not so close to the matter. If I find myself unclear or confused and arguing with 'myself', then I know I need to get some outside help! It took me a long time to get this far along. I understand what may be difficult for others to release and explore. Being comfortable is easier sometimes.

There are so many religions all over the world and there are certain things that they cling to and practise that deviate from the whole concept of spirituality. I am spiritual and from the bible, it says those that are led by the spirit those are sons of God. in the bible , most of the times, Religious people have always followed a certain concept that they hang on to and they never really go out their way to practise certain things even though they are good. They can even condemn one who does good because they are bound by tradition. Religion and tradition, i believe go hand in hand. Spirituality, the way I understand it, means one is led by the spirit of God and one actually hears what route he must follow in his life and the purpose that God has given him to accomplish. One actually needs the Holy Spirit for him to be spiritual

Why be religious? All that is, is being legalistic. I'm a Christian and belong to the body of Christ. I'm saying I have a realationship with a risen Savior. I spent such a long time searching for God and couldn't believe the Son of the almighty would ever want to die for me. Then as I asked Him question after question I found myself learning , really understanding the verses in the Bible for the first time. The only way I could explain it was that He was helping me see that the Creator of the universe wanted to have a relationship with me and that proved He had to love me and as I continued studying the answers that used to be so elusive, I began to see clearly. It's been a journey that has taken my breath away. To learn God wanted to get so close to us He'd come off His thrown to become flesh to let us know He always wanted to be close to us and showed us He loved us enough to live with us and die for us and all we had to do was ask Him to forgive my arrogance and save me. He has!

I would say a bit of both, but more spiritual than religious. I am affiliated with a church and am currently pursuing a degree in Medieval Theology. I have been a resident of a nursing care facility for 5 years and change secondary to a very serious accident which left me totallly and permanently disabled. This went a long way in causing me to do a lot of soul-searching in that I was only 51 when this occurred and in a couple of weeks will soon turn 57. Most of the people I live with are older than my grandparents would have been. I do have friends from my church who come to visit almost daily, however. I do a lot of volunteer work for my church. I meditate, pray, and keep a journal several times a day. I try to keep my life as simple as possible. I have a large window in my room which looks out on to a garden and trees and I hear birds. The facility in which I reside allows pets so I have a tortoise shell cat who is my "baby". Each day I am live is a gift.

That was a good one inspired:)))

I would say spiritual.. though to tell you the truth I have been sort of searching what that means, with no "rule book" to go by.. I have read about different religions and connect with some things, about several.. I read this somewhere I think it was on the oprah website.. When different Spiritual Leaders were polled about what Spirituality meant to them..

- Be Grateful
- Be your best self
- Meditation
- Be kind and loving
- Be in the moment
-Be Open

Love that, it makes sense and it seems reachable when thought of this way.. Not easy always, but reachable

I like that....well said! To bad people can't just say okay, that's what that person believes and then go from there, living there own life through example as best as one can, and when other people watch or see other's lives improving they seem to want to know why. It seem's almost unless everybody doesn't agree on the same thing that people are outcasted, and that is sad for both parties involved. We all learn from eachother, hopefully the right things, or have the capabilities to sift through the bad, (obviously), but we are all teachers in a sense.

I believe that spirituality and religious faith are not mutually exclusive. I believe that they have to go hand in hand. i have been spiritual since the age of 7 or 8, and have had many spiritual experiences and came to know my God in that way. Then as a teenager I found a church who taught me many things. I loved that church but I didn't leave my own spirituality. The Church gave me structure and direction and guidance, explaining to me the spiritual feelings I had had all my life. If I only had the Church I would feel disturbed when I see hypocrisy in my chosen church. Instead I just lean more on my spiritual experiences and appreciate what I have learned from those who have taught me. I try to be humble in my own life, love those around me and tolerate those who are different and perhaps negative. If I have to choose i would rely on my personal spiritual experiences and color them with the teachings and truths in my church experience.

I would not call you a pagan............I will say God Bless and good wishes in getting well.

This is such a highly personal subject and most people who say they are religious or spiritual are affiliated in some way with an organized religion. I tried that route several times but somehow it doesn't work for me. Yes, I am spiritual, but I am not affiliated with a religion. Yes, we will change but God is constant and everywhere. He saw me through open heart surgery and is now guiding me through chemo. I don't need a building to confine God or a group of people praying the same prayer at the same time to honor God. He is very real and some day I will meet him and understand much more than I do now. My way is not for everyone and many would call be a heathan or pagan but "to each his own".