What does it mean to be Spiritual but not religious?


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Diana_P is offline Diana_P Post #1  May 20,2011, 2:17pm
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My friend Cherise is an adamant atheist but is one of the sweetest people I know. I jokingly tell her that except for the whole not believing in God thing she would make an almost perfect Christian. Honestly. The girl never lies, cheats, puts anybody down or any of the other “sins” we Christians do on a daily basis.

It bugs the heck out of me that she is so good but doesn’t believe in God. It just doesn’t make any sense. So I asked her why bother to be so virtuous. She says, “because that’s who I am” and she acts like it is no big deal when someone like me clearly struggles to be good everyday.

So I asked her if she is a Pantheist or some other fringe religion and she said no and thinks it is all nonsense. Is this someone who is Spiritual but not religious? What does it mean to you to be Spiritual but not religious?
 
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FairOne is offline FairOne Post #2  May 20,2011, 2:24pm
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In my view, someone who is spiritual but not religious believes in God (or some Creator) but does not subscribe to the dogma and rules that certain religions have (if you don't get baptized, you'll go to hell, you were born a sinner before you ever took a breath, etc.)

So to me, your friend would not count as spiritual. Just a good person! lol
 
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Diana_P is offline Diana_P Post #3  May 20,2011, 2:44pm
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FairOne wrote :
In my view, someone who is spiritual but not religious believes in God (or some Creator) but does not subscribe to the dogma and rules that certain religions have (if you don't get baptized, you'll go to hell, you were born a sinner before you ever took a breath, etc.)

So to me, your friend would not count as spiritual. Just a good person! lol
So what motivates a person who is not spiritual to be good? Isn't it like having a really fast car but never breaking the speed limit? Seem pointless?
 
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paintandbooks is offline paintandbooks Post #4  May 20,2011, 3:04pm
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Diana_P wrote :
So what motivates a person who is not spiritual to be good?
Because the person loves the world and hopes to leave it a little better than they found it?

Because the person loves humanity and hopes to make the lives of others a little brighter?

Because the person has children or loves children, and wants not only to do the right thing but to show by example how best to live?

There are plenty of reasons. These are just a few...
 
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FairOne is offline FairOne Post #5  May 20,2011, 3:08pm
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Diana_P wrote :
So what motivates a person who is not spiritual to be good? Isn't it like having a really fast car but never breaking the speed limit? Seem pointless?
You know how some people will work really hard even when their manager leaves for the day and others will shirk their responsibilities? Or how some kids will cheat on a test at the first opportunity and others won't, even if the answers are right there in front of them?

Lot's of people need the threat of hell and the promise of heaven in order to do good (and I believe that people in the know have capitalized on this for forever) but some people do not. I think your friend is one of those people that doesn't need it.
 
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mitchell175 is online now mitchell175 Post #6  May 20,2011, 8:01pm
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As FairOne and PNB said, one can strive to be a good person just because they want to, and not because they feel that they "have to" to appease some God.

I have little respect for people who feel that they should be able to do whatever they want to, just because they "can". Without ever thinking of whether they "should".
 
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Wonderwoman402 is offline Wonderwoman402 Post #7  May 20,2011, 8:21pm
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Your friend is living proof that one does not need religion or God to be a good, virtuous person.

Why does it bother you that she does not believe in God?
Why do you have an underlying belief that one cannot be virtuous without a belief in God?
Why does it bother you that she is neither spiritual nor religious?
 
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llw11 is offline llw11 Post #8  May 20,2011, 9:46pm
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Diana_P wrote :
My friend Cherise is an adamant atheist but is one of the sweetest people I know. I jokingly tell her that except for the whole not believing in God thing she would make an almost perfect Christian. Honestly. The girl never lies, cheats, puts anybody down or any of the other “sins” we Christians do on a daily basis.

It bugs the heck out of me that she is so good but doesn’t believe in God. It just doesn’t make any sense. So I asked her why bother to be so virtuous. She says, “because that’s who I am” and she acts like it is no big deal when someone like me clearly struggles to be good everyday.

So I asked her if she is a Pantheist or some other fringe religion and she said no and thinks it is all nonsense. Is this someone who is Spiritual but not religious? What does it mean to you to be Spiritual but not religious?
it almost sounds like you're jealous of her in some way, . she obviously has her freedom from the fear and manipulation of the "abrahamic religions" and is enjoying it.

it also sounds like you think that being christian or having fear of punishment is what makes people behave themselves. this would be really sad actually and if this is the case then people should keep believing in hell, . you don't need christianity in order to have morality.

if anything being atheist might make you be even better as you believe that this life is all you'll ever have so you have to make the best of it and not count on there being something better after this experience is over.

i would say that "spiritual but not religious" means that you basically believe in some higher power but this power does not fit the finite model presented by any of the religions. i guess i'd fit in this category.
 
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Diana_P is offline Diana_P Post #9  May 21,2011, 12:04am
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Wonderwoman402 wrote :
Your friend is living proof that one does not need religion or God to be a good, virtuous person.

Why does it bother you that she does not believe in God?

I was taught that the whole point of trying to be a good person is so that you can get into Heaven. I won't go into the "Works" vs. "Salvation" arguement. But, yeah, no matter how you get there it is all about Heaven.

Why do you have an underlying belief that one cannot be virtuous without a belief in God?

The part in the Bible where God tells all these people who have done good that He doesn't know them. It is like all that good they did was wasted in a way.

Why does it bother you that she is neither spiritual nor religious?

I guess because she is such a good person. I was taught that you are either for God or for Satan and this kind of conflicts with that since she doesn't seem to be much interested in either.
Yes, she is virtuous and something of a puzzle to me.
 
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Diana_P is offline Diana_P Post #10  May 21,2011, 12:11am
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llw11 wrote :
i would say that "spiritual but not religious" means that you basically believe in some higher power but this power does not fit the finite model presented by any of the religions. i guess i'd fit in this category.
If you believe in a Higher Power do you have guidlines and principles that go along with that belief? If you use guidlines and principles or just use your internal moral compass how is that different from organized religion?
 
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