One Can Be Spiritual But Not Religious

[exene]

To be spiritual, one accepts that there is a 'soul' in them, and also that they have a conscience and that there are a certain set of standards, or principles, they wish to adhere to in society. To be religious is kind of like belonging to a cult; there is a large group that you meet with regularly, and some 'leader' you give power to tells you how to best live your life. Most interesting thing about the difference is, that one who is spiritual is not necessarily religious, and the opposite can also be true. There are people who 'hide behind their religion', to either browbeat someone they look down on or make excuses for their own poor behaviors and habits. A man who attends church regularly, but who beats his kids and drinks on a regular basis is NOT a better person than someone who has a much more principled lifestyle and doesn't step foot in a church. Hope that clarifies the difference...

[(former member)]

`The 'soul' to me for me my 'aspect' of the 'collective life-force'. I call this Gaia. Yeah, I read the books by James Lovelock on how our planet is like a single living organism. And, I like the Star Wars movies and believe in the Force, but I call it the Life Force. I don't believe in God in the sense that I don't believe in a deity being judging us, watching us, manipulating us, etc. I used to call the collective life-force God a little, but it just doesn't work. I don't personify the planet.

[(former member)]

Thank you for making the distinctions of being spiritual but not religious so clear for me.

Danny
generationXpoet