What Do You Think People Mean By...

[Foxmeister]

"Spiritual, but not religious?" I see and hear this a lot from people. Is it to mean they believe in God, but don't want to go to church?

 

[unionmom]

I know a number of people like this. They tend to believe in god (or a godlike controlling power) in the universe but do not believe in organized religion.

 

[sadie612]

all I know is that I love Jesus...

people who say that are confused I think...lol

 

[Grey Colson]

My favorite Pastor, Dr. Albert Cox used to say the biggest enemy of Christianinty is organized religion. Believe me, he most certainly attended church....he was our pastor at East Cobb Baptist in the early 90's.

What he was attempting to convey is that too many people become caught up in their specific religion that they tend to forget it's not about being sprinkled over immersed in a baptistry, whether or not you sing in choir, how long a person's hair is, but about whether or not a person has come to know the Lord Jesus Christ and has been covered by His blood as an eternal sacrifice for their sin.

I wouldn't really use the term "spirituality" because that could also refer to dabbling in the spiritual realm of this world.....and we recognize what they are.....and it ain't good. It's satan's way of getting people to think they are spiritual when in fact they are messing with his evil minions.

 

[Genevieve]

For a Catholic, the word "religious" has a good connotation. Technically, it means you are a priest, brother, or nun. Generally, it just means that you take your faith seriously.

Some Protestants seem to think it means you only care about a shallow, ostentatious devotion, and I think pagans mean that you look beyond the material realm to something else, whatever that may be.

 

[mei lan]

I"ve heard "spirituality" used a lot with New Age/Eastern mysticism beliefs/whatevers.

 

[Grey Colson]

I"ve heard "spirituality" used a lot with New Age/Eastern mysticism beliefs/whatevers.

That's what I typically associate it with, although I'm sure not everyone means that. From what I have read in The Bible, Jesus never established a "religion", but a "church" with Him being the Rock it was built upon. I'm not suggesting that there is anything wrong with an established "religion", but there are obviously many who believe theirs is the only one approved by God. I'm not talking about other religions who don't recognize Jesus as the Son of God.

 

[Foxmeister]

When I say, I'm religious; it means I'm serious about my relationship with Christ. A lot of people seem to think you're a zealot when you say you're religious. I'm proud I am a child of God and seek a better relationship with Him.

 

[Madea]

Personally, I think it's a new way to cop out.

 

[Foxmeister]

Personally, I think it's a new way to cop out.

That's what I think a lot of the time. It brings out another good question though, "Do you have to attend church to be a good Christian?"

 

[Grey Colson]

Personally, I think it's a new way to cop out.

That's what I think a lot of the time. It brings out another good question though, "Do you have to attend church to be a good Christian?"

No more than standing in my garage will turn you into a Corvette. ;D

 

[Genevieve]

Personally, I think it's a new way to cop out.

That's what I think a lot of the time. It brings out another good question though, "Do you have to attend church to be a good Christian?"

Yes. Catholics are obliged to assist at Mass every Sunday and holy day of obligation (unless they are sick, taking care of a sick baby, in the wilderness, etc., etc.)

 

[Genevieve]

Personally, I think it's a new way to cop out.

That's what I think a lot of the time. It brings out another good question though, "Do you have to attend church to be a good Christian?"

No more than standing in my garage will turn you into a Corvette. ;D

Bummer! I guess I won't be bringing my Hyundai over to your garage. )

 

[kittycat]

Personally, I think it's a new way to cop out.

I think your right......In my dating experiences...when they say that to me....it means to me that they leave their self open to go both ways....and that they really don't have an understanding to who they really are......I want a man who knows who they are in Christ and is striving to be more and more like Christ every day....where ever he may be.....may God keep blessing him until he finds me...... ray

 

[Foxmeister]

Personally, I think it's a new way to cop out.

I think your right......In my dating experiences...when they say that to me....it means to me that they leave their self open to go both ways....and that they really don't have an understanding to who they really are......I want a man who knows who they are in Christ and is striving to be more and more like Christ every day....where ever he may be.....may God keep blessing him until he finds me...... ray

I see that a lot in my "dating" experiences as well. That's why I brought the question up. It seems like a non-committed way to being "something." I think they say it because they believe it makes them look better than saying they really don't believe at all.

 

[kittycat]

Personally, I think it's a new way to cop out.

I think your right......In my dating experiences...when they say that to me....it means to me that they leave their self open to go both ways....and that they really don't have an understanding to who they really are......I want a man who knows who they are in Christ and is striving to be more and more like Christ every day....where ever he may be.....may God keep blessing him until he finds me...... ray

I see that a lot in my "dating" experiences as well. That's why I brought the question up. It seems like a non-committed way to being "something." I think they say it because they believe it makes them look better than saying they really don't believe at all.

And I was thinking that I was the only one pondering that same question.......I know I am no where, near or close to the person I was 5 years ago....I think I went through some crises or something....who knows...but I've made a complete turn around and I totally depend on Christ for everything....I am even better today than I was yesterday......but for as "dating" I find some men will tell you what they think you want to hear......but if you sit and listen for a while....you'll find out what's really in their heart....and really that goes for men and women....but just speaking of experience....Action always speaks louder than words.....

 

[Foxmeister]

Personally, I think it's a new way to cop out.

I think your right......In my dating experiences...when they say that to me....it means to me that they leave their self open to go both ways....and that they really don't have an understanding to who they really are......I want a man who knows who they are in Christ and is striving to be more and more like Christ every day....where ever he may be.....may God keep blessing him until he finds me...... ray

I see that a lot in my "dating" experiences as well. That's why I brought the question up. It seems like a non-committed way to being "something." I think they say it because they believe it makes them look better than saying they really don't believe at all.

And I was thinking that I was the only one pondering that same question.......I know I am no where, near or close to the person I was 5 years ago....I think I went through some crises or something....who knows...but I've made a complete turn around and I totally depend on Christ for everything....I am even better today than I was yesterday......but for as "dating" I find some men will tell you what they think you want to hear......but if you sit and listen for a while....you'll find out what's really in their heart....and really that goes for men and women....but just speaking of experience....Action always speaks louder than words.....

I have found that some women will tell you what they think you want to hear as well. I am who I am and I will not hide it. I've had Christian women call me a chauvinist because I said I want a marriage as described in Eph 5. That cracked me up.

 

[LisaC]

I see "spiritual" and "religious" as two politically correct terms that people want to use to sound like they know what they're talking about without really committing to anything. I like it when someone says that they're not "overly religious" - I ask them if that means they only believe in Jesus a little bit.

 

[kittycat]

Personally, I think it's a new way to cop out.

I think your right......In my dating experiences...when they say that to me....it means to me that they leave their self open to go both ways....and that they really don't have an understanding to who they really are......I want a man who knows who they are in Christ and is striving to be more and more like Christ every day....where ever he may be.....may God keep blessing him until he finds me...... ray

I see that a lot in my "dating" experiences as well. That's why I brought the question up. It seems like a non-committed way to being "something." I think they say it because they believe it makes them look better than saying they really don't believe at all.

And I was thinking that I was the only one pondering that same question.......I know I am no where, near or close to the person I was 5 years ago....I think I went through some crises or something....who knows...but I've made a complete turn around and I totally depend on Christ for everything....I am even better today than I was yesterday......but for as "dating" I find some men will tell you what they think you want to hear......but if you sit and listen for a while....you'll find out what's really in their heart....and really that goes for men and women....but just speaking of experience....Action always speaks louder than words.....

I have found that some women will tell you what they think you want to hear as well. I am who I am and I will not hide it. I've had Christian women call me a chauvinist because I said I want a marriage as described in Eph 5. That cracked me up.

lol......Hard to find a man that would love his wife the way Christ loves his people...Not to many men out there would give himself up that much for a women.....I wonder if some men really know how to love that much or if they really can love one that much ....

 

[Foxmeister]

In my heart, I know a man can love his wife as Christ loved the church. I know this because it's what Christ commands. Christ would not command us to do something that was impossible.