Some people may be religious without being spiritual; they follow the letter of their holy books, perform traditional rituals and do not question their religious texts which they regard as the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Other people may be spiritual they believe we are all inter-connected, part of nature.

Some people are both spiritual and religious, combining their interpretation of their holy books with an understanding that not everyone is the same, but that we are all valid living beings under a supreme deity.

Anyone can be religious, but that does not mean they are spiritual.

Being spiritual requires self-knowledge and accountability for one’s actions.

Religion (with the exception of Buddhism) places the onus on a deity – serving the deity, imagining what this deity wants them to do, which could be good; helping the poor, or very bad; suicide bombing.

The spiritual person doesn’t require a ‘leader’ or even a ‘congregation’ – they simply are.

The religious person adheres to a strict hierarchy, god at the zenith, the more enlightened place women and men and nature together under god, the less enlightened place man followed by woman and dominion over nature.

The above is just my definition. There are, no doubt, other better alternatives.

Perhaps, the gentle OLO contributor would like reflect on what makes them spiritual or religious or both or maybe not any of the above.

I believe I am neither. I think I'm just wallpaper in other people's lives.

Dear Fractelle,

One Christmas Eve when I was a little girl I remember my mother was playing Christmas carols, my father was reading the paper in his chair. I did not feel like talking. I did not want to disturb the quiet magic of the spell. A couple of my brothers were wrapping packages, one was struggling with a stubborn set of lights. It was a quiet time in a home that seldom stood so still.

I don't know why that night is etched in my memory, I don't know why its music haunts me. Perhaps it's because of the peace that I felt that night. Perhaps that peace is something that I'm searching for still.

I don't regard myself as very religious. As I've written in other posts. I believe I've got a conscience for a reason. I believe in parents who teach their children the beauty that is life. I believe in understanding, in forgiveness, in mercy, and in faith. I believe in friendship and its power to turn selfishness to love. I believe in lasting love and the painful growth that it requires. I believe in death and the mystery that it unveils. I believe in eternity and the hope that it affords.

I do not believe that laws should crush a person's confidence or smother the spirit of God. I do not believe that any ritual can limit divine love or seal the channels that lead a person to God. I do not believe in the unerring judgement of men
that ignores the conscience of the simple and sincere.

Does that make me spiritual or religious? I don't know. We're all different. I prize the uniqueness that is mine, and you must do the same.

I hope that this doesn't sound too pompous - but, I don't know how else to put it.

Dear Fractelle... nice to see some serious reflection going on there.

Posing such questions is always helpful and valuable.

Seeing as you posed questions (perhaps rhetorically), I presume it would be ok to scrutinize them a tad ?

You juxtaposed the 'spiritual' approach to man and woman... and the 'religious' approach involving the Deity.

In Biblical terms, the central issue is nothing about control, power or status in male female relationships.. its about 2 complementary identities coming in from the cold of alienation from God, and rejoining that beautiful fellowship that can only be understood by those who have savoured it.

Yes.. God does place a structure in the male female marraige relationship. But that structure is in marriage..not neccessarily in the wider sphere of public life. Hence it was possible for a 'Deborah' to become the head honcho of Israel during 'partriarchal' times.

The Holy book, of whichever faith, is deemed to be Gods word to mankind, so the important question is.. "What is it's nature"

-Is it a 'rule' book?
-Is it a 'relationship' book?
-Does it advocate/command/permit things such as violence, abuse, deception? or their opposites....

The Bible contains much about societal rules for Israel as a nation, yes, but within this, there is also a strong theme of the 'relational'. That theme finds it's fullest expression in the Lord Jesus Christ "All those who came to Him, who received him, he gave power to become children of God"

"Our Father"......

I find the idea of the 'spiritual' as you described it, rather nebulous and lacking in anything substantive, its all in the mind so to speak. You are your own reference point. There is no One 'there' .. you just 'are'....

Foxy

To me you sound very spiritual indeed. I could picture the special stillness of that long ago Christmas eve. And I understand what you mean.

I think we are all born with a conscience, how and whether we tune into it determines how we treat others.

I find my spirituality among the Mountain Ash where I live, in the mocking sound of kookaburras, the warble of magpies; I see it when lying on the grass watching an echnida, indifferent to my presence as it snuffles through the leaf litter. I can feel my spirit stir as I listen to the sound of rain on the iron roof of my home for the first time in months and I know that my tree-ferns will survive another summer. It is also the connection you have when walking down the street and passing a stranger, you smile at each other. The world is a little brighter.

But its more than just how the natural world makes me feel. I have been trying to get into the routine of meditating again - I always feel so much better after, like I do after aerobic exercise.

It is not an easy thing to express. I find it effortless to point out the irrationalities of formal religion. And near impossible to explain my own spirituality; my inner self and how important it is to follow my heart.

It is obvious that if you deny the simple plain teachings of Jesus you will swallow a lie. He is the only source of true spirituality. All others who came before Him were thieves and robbers and all who have come since are thieves and robbers. Spiritually is not 'feel good' but having the guts to identify with the Son of God and in turn serving humanity.