What’s the difference between being religious and being spiritual?
Consider the Pharisees for a moment. Jesus referred to them as “white washed tombs, full of dead mens bones.” Outwardly they looked alive, but inwardly they were dead.
I think the fundamental difference between being religious and spiritual is this: Religion is about the externals, and being spiritual is a truer picture of the self, one that has been recreated in the image of Jesus Christ. I am religious about alot of things: the way, I eat, shower, brush my teeth, dress, relate to telemarketers, etc., these things are not neceassrily bad, right or wrong. They are just the routine ways I do things. Religiousity then is the routine ways we practice our faith. This certainly can be detrimental to our health. I think this is what happens to a large number of our congregants. Sunday, and Wednesday each have their own set of religious routines that we follow. I think in large part this mechanical way we go about church helps to keep people away. Outsiders want a Jesus they can see, touch, smell, and talk to, not one crafted to fit our idealistic, individualistic American oriented image of a Savior who dresses in red, white and blue and drivers a hummer. I think religion exalts tradition over the Word, and in some cases, religion is a bad thing for everyone involved. I will go one further and say that religion doesn’t have room for new expressions of faith, and certainly doesn’t have time for questions that challenge the status quo.
I think we needn’t be afraid of practing what it means to be spiritual. I see here the difference, between authenticity and churchanity. To me being spiritual is living out our lives as recreated beings, remade in the image of Christ.
Here is my two cents:
imperfect, sometimes stumbling follower/lover of Jesus, husband, father, youth minister, buckeyes fan, grad. student looking to partner with what God is doing in this world.
Wow, you actually put into words what I feel!!! I’m so done with organized religion, I have a good soul and believe in God. I have a lot I would like to touch on in this reply but for now I’ll just leave well enough alone. I would like to thank you though for your beautiful two cents worth, so “THANK YOU!!!”
Melissa,
I am glad that you stopped by and that you feel some of my angst. I hope that in your quest to give up “organized religion,” that you rediscover the wonder of Jesus. He is the best thing going!
But, please, don’t give up on the church. Even with her all her flaws and failures, the church is the body of Christ. The church is called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world. Even though there are blemishes on her purity, the church is the tool to use to help other people find their way home.
So, don’t give up completely. Keep searching, keep pursuing Jesus. As you continue to fall in love with Jesus, maybe you will one day be able to fall into love with Jesus’ people!
I am so troubled with the religious issues, as a person I am so sure in my heart that I am spiritual, I love my Creator God, but the plenty programmes from the church really want to change the way I think of my person and my love for spirituality. My wife wants me to be at every church program, but I don’t think I must be there to make good living out of my life. I believe in God and goes to church, but she insist i attend all church programmes. I have tried to make see reason with me, that being spiritual is ore adoring than being religious, please help me out
I’m trying to figure out weather I’ve been religious my whole life, spiritual or maybe just both. I strayed for years away from church and God somewhat intentionally. Looking back I was probably rebellious in my heart against god at younger teenage age. Seeing things from a new perspective I believed I lived in fear for most of my life of religion and never truly had a relationship with God. My fear kept me straight for a long time and I would assure myself that I was saved to justify my fear. Once I fully and openly rejected Christianity (much later in life) and its rules I felt more free than i had ever felt in my life. No worries of God squashing me and sending me straight to hell because I simply choose not to believe that “garbage” anymore. I spent the next several years of my life in total violation the bible. I mocked Jesus Christ and felt good about it. I Experimented with new age beliefs and other religions, even the occult. Eventually I found myself rock bottom. Depressed like never before and empty still searching for answers. I cried out to “God” and said I dont know who which God I’m talking to but I want to know the truth. Every since then I’ve had numerous run-ins and discussions with christian people. Ive recently started visiting a christian church and have felt a hope and peace like never before and fear is not apart of the equation this time.