What is the difference between ' Being Spiritual ' and 'Being Religious' ?

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   akanshaakumarposted 8 years ago

   What is the difference between ' Being Spiritual ' and 'Being Religious' ?
   
   Spirituality is linked with religion, but these are two very different concepts.
   
   

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   Ericdierkerposted 8 years ago

   This is a very interesting question. The assumed underlying premise that these two notions compete with each other, gives one pause to question.
   There are so many who are both religious and spiritual. The two concepts do not compete.
   But the concept of there being a difference between the two is very valid.
   Personally I have never been involved with a harmful version of a religion. I understand they are out there.
   I see the two as more synergistic than different. One can lead to the other and compliment it. Truly religion is man made and spirituality is a connection with a creator. Religion can bolster spirituality and spirituality can bolster religion. But looking for a difference is like asking if a lemon is different from a fruit.
   It is quite common for religionists to bash individual spirituality and also common for the individually spiritual to bash religion. One can spend a lifetime looking for differences and points of contention. But when they do they miss out on the juice of belief.
   Religion is about commonality and spiritualism is about individuality. Both have their place.
   Looking for the differences can help us to understand. But dwelling on the differences is divisive.
   The mere act of attending a meeting in a place of worship does not diminish spirituality. Having different individual beliefs does not diminish the religion.
   The only real difference between the two is individuality and commonality.

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      akanshaakumarposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Perfect perfect perfect ... yes I agree that they are different yet totally connected. Loved your answer

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      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      In thinking about this, my son and I did attend a church one time where the beginning of the sermon was basically all about hating groups of people for their choices of lifestyle. We nearly ran out of that religion as fast as we could.

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Eric: You always "run" from TRUTH!  Why didn't u "listen?"  Why didn't you ask for Scripture? Maybe u would have straightened out some of ur "twisted" ALL LOVE beliefs! Lifestyle (Gay) against WORD! How child going 2 react w/same-sex johns n schools?

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      jonnycomelatelyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Norine, you are so, so ignorant and opinionated.  Have you considered that god you worship is in some way an illness of the mind?   If there is any spirituality about you, then please let us see it.

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Ur comment only confirms how much SATAN has empowered u.
      II Cor 4:3 "For if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are LOST!"
      GOD SAID IT, I didn't!

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      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Wow in order for Norine to know what she says, she would need a personal relationship with God and Satan. I cannot see how having a relationship with Satan, enough to know the intentions is healthy at all.

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      If I give THE WORD OF GOD & u refuse, who r u?  I Cor 10:21 "You cannot eat of the Table of the LORD & Satan's!" 
      When I give what u call "hateful" WORD, it is from the Bible (GOD'S WORD) so take it up w/HIM!

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   word55posted 8 years ago

   Being spiritual is more likely associated from being religious. The Baptist, the Catholic and the 7th-day Adventist are different religions. Being spiritual is a personal inclination. Being religious is being associated with a particular group of believers and doctrines. A person or persons can become spiritual because of practicing within a particular religion. There may be a difference but they are closely associated.

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      How can they be "closely ass?" Religion="man-made" v Spiritual="GOD!" Rm 8:7 says Because the carnal minded (man-made) is enmity against GOD.." (v8) "..cannot pls GOD!"  Why then do u "think" u're on a diff highway going to THE GOD?

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      akanshaakumarposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for answering , but I believe that one doesn't need to follow all the rules and rituals of  religion to become spiritual. Yet we can't deny the fact that, religion plays a big role in introducing spirituality to us

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Introduction to "wrong doctrine" & you will be LOST!
      
      Trash in - Trash out!

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      OMG!  No wonder you guys are on one accord!  She is a TAROT CARD READER!  I knew her spirit agreed with you guys!  TWO of the same!  Not of GOD!

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      akanshaakumarposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Norine, TAROT READING has got nothing to do with religion. How can someone mix up profession and religion? You just stereotyped all tarot readers as atheist . I'm a deep believer of god. Not right on your part to say - NOT OF GOD. Thumbs down buddy

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thumbs down to u dealing in spirits of devil (evil & of Satan)! Who r u to "read" another? What did THE CREATOR (GOD) say about that in Scripture?
      IF u were "a believer of GOD," u would know HE doesn't share HIS glory w/u r anyone else (reading)!

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      akanshaakumarposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      From, all your comments Norine, I concluded 2 things - 1. You have zero/null knowledge about tarot reading; 2.You are religious minded individual and not at all spiritual minded ( no offence meant)

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Not of your "spirit!"
      Anytime, Anyone takes over the Holy Spirit's job of "leading and guiding" another into the future, I would call that a "conflict of interest" for lack of better words! 
      AGAINST GOD!

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      Ericdierkerposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Wow Norine it sounds like you are describing yourself.

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       Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       You're "IGNORANT" for calling the WORD I give "me!" That's ur problem, when GOD speaks (WORD) you DON'T CARE! You Hypocrite!  GOD told you to "STUDY" but you r "Stuck in the traditions of your father" (Catholics/Satan) as Jn 8:44 has described him!

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       akanshaakumarposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Picking up verses and bending them according to your own thought process and trying to prove that you are always right and supported by god; lol Norine, its your words ;no point adding verses... and you still don't know anything about tarot reading

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   12. 52

       Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

       Is 45:9-13!  READ WORD sometimes v "cards" & "talking!"
       
       You keep playing GOD while I give HIS WORD & see what happens to whom!  When I give WORD, it's up to one to "search Scripture to see if right" (Acts 17:11) not up to me! I plant seed,

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   manatita44posted 8 years ago

   "The Essence of Religion is to fear God and obey God.
   The quintessence of Spirituality is to know God and become another God."- Sri Chinmoy, a 21st Century visionary and remarkable man of God.
   
   No, Akanshaa, they are not different concepts. Some like being religious; some like being spiritual but not religious and a third group see them as one. If the rain falls on all of Earth, and there is one giant umbrella covering us, then we'll all be dry. Spirituality is just like that.
   
   Spirituality sees only God, Oneness, Consciousness, Spirit, Love ...again, Spirituality allows you to call it what you will. There is room for all. By its very nature, it is all inclusive, interconnected or One. In a flower-garden, the rose will be the rose and the dahlias quite different, but the entire garden complements itself.
   
   Again, a football field has 11 players and the striker is as equally important, as the man in goal. Yet their roles are different. In your own family, one may wish to be a musician, another a lawyer; yet a third a priest. Diversity is a necessary Law of Creation and enhances its beauty.
   
   So too, Souls are different and also at different stages of the journey. Think of the Sage or Seer. Does he/she see enemies? They love even the birds and ants, and many came from Catholicism. Some left because the powers that be, didn't understand them; some were killed, but others learnt the art of wisdom and stayed within the church.
   
   So perhaps we hate dogma, ritual, zealots ....but my experience is that God is even in those people too, and all have their part to play in the scheme of things.
   
   One way of seeing life is to say that all is good. God is the life-tree, and religion are His branches. As such the branches are necessary to the tree. Always be wary of anyone interested in division, isolation, separation, narrow-mindedness....listen to your Heart. Much Love.

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      IF you BELIEVE there is A CREATOR you will obey HIM & NOT seek "another" way to HIM when HE has provided THE WAY (aka Holy Spirit)!  U undermind HIM in doing so & HE is NOT HAPPY! There's NOT diff highways to HIM, but ONE WAY which is in HIS

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      akanshaakumarposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for such a beautiful answer. Now, i'm able to look at these concepts from a different point of view

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Keep looking at "man's" point of view vs GOD'S (WORD) & see where u end up!

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      akanshaakumarposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      A person is who is 'desperate and eager' to meet god, his aim is to meet god is a real devotee and a real devotee is a spiritual person ....

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      "A real devotee" to what?  Your god?  Have you read Scripture?
      If so, tell me what GOD (not god) says about READERS?

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      akanshaakumarposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Norine, GOD is one...irrespective of any religion. I respect you for being religious, but you got to see the spiritual side of this too, which sorry to say, you always overlook

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I'm NOT Religious! GOD "DOES NOT" respect ALL beliefs or RELIGIONS! "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" Ever heard of that? HE is a jealous GOD & WILL NOT share HIS Glory w/another! THE CREATOR not man-made mess!

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      akanshaakumarposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      More verses .... by Norine ...hope you dont talk to people like this ... in your day to day life ... Norine -THE  VERSE QUEEN ...lol

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Girl, you need to STUDY Scripture!  You "think" God is involved in "mess," but HE "WILL NOT SHARE HIS GLORY!"
      I do as commanded "teach all nations" (Matt 28:19) and you would too IF you BELIEVED what HE SAID!

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   Dr CHE Sadaphalposted 8 years ago

   Religious people are largely concerned with a belief or a system of beliefs. They want to make sure all experiences fall in line with the beliefs.
   
   Spiritual people are largely concerned with life experiences and have little to no concern for doctrine(s) as long as the experience is meaningful.

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      Norine Williamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Where did u get that "interpretation" of "Spiritual people?" Did Jn 4:23-24 say "TRUE WORSHIPERS" (LISTEN) "MUST" worship n "SPIRIT?" So Disciples of Christ r "SPIRITUAL!"
      "little to no concern for doctrine(s)?" Heb 6:1 "DOCTRINE of CHRIST" Explain

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