Philosophy: religious vs spiritual, part 1

Self-tutoring about beliefs that some might call religious, but others, spiritual: the tutor begins.

Years ago, I mentioned to someone I was religious. “You mean spiritual,” they said. I wondered why they felt the need for such a correction, but didn’t argue. I thought they were being philosophical.

That concept of being spiritual, vs religious, has echoed in my head ever since. At this time of year, with such religious/spiritual undertones, it becomes even more irresistible. What, indeed, is the difference between religious and spiritual, and can one be both?

I read a contrast between spiritual and religious over at mindvalley.com. It pretty much says what I expected: spirituality is based on cultivating awareness about the truths all around us that we can’t physically see, whereas a religion gives truths that are already known. Spirituality is open-ended compared to religion.

During the Christmas – aka, Holiday – season, so many people are seeing Christmas decorations and such; yet, to many, Christmas is outside their culture. As I read the Bible more, I confess Christmas as we see it today is further outside of my beliefs as well. I am sure Jesus was born, but the customs we have today that surround Christmas seem distant from Jesus’s story.

Religious, spiritual, or other, I suppose the idea could be to enjoy the pretty lights at night and believe that it comes from a good place and/or will lead to good. The God of the Bible loves doing good in circumstances where people are distracted.

Happy Holidays, and Merry Christmas:)