I Am Spiritual, Not Religious...

Have you ever heard someone say, "I am spiritual, not religious?"  Perhaps you have thought this or said this of yourself.  I know I have said this in the past, for my own reasons.  Recently, I've had a number of people ask me what this means.  Here's my best attempt.

For the most part, I think people use this statement when they believe they have a belief and a connection with God, a higher power, etc., but don't want to be lumped into a group of people believed to be holier-than-thou, or those who say one thing but do another.  Maybe they don't want to be seen as a "churchy" type person who attends services where lots of people don't understand what's going on.  At least, this is the case for me when I used to profess this. 

But over the last few years, I have a new found understanding of spirituality and religion.  For me, spirituality is my relationship with God - my belief, my connection.  Religion is the way in which I express my spirituality to God and to others.  In my case it is Christianity, the United Methodist church, attending church services, serving to the community, and (hopefully) reflecting the character of God in what I do.  So now I am not ashamed to say that I am spiritual and I am religious. 

Again, I think most people use this statement as a defense against religion(s) gone astray.  They don't want to be associated with the bad parts of religion.  Maybe they want to be seen as part of a better way, a higher way, a spiritual but not rigid belief system that is truly loving, giving, and accepting of all people no matter what.  I like to think this of myself.

However, I realize that I am included in the not-so-good parts of religion(s), just as much as I am a part of a society whose past is stained with hatred, segregation, and killing.  Just because I try to treat people with dignity, respect, and equality doesn't mean that racism, sexism, ageism, and religious persecution doesn't exist today.  Sadly it does.  Our culture is a result of countless "isms," and religion still goes astray at times. 

Jesus had lots to say to people who claimed to be religious - those who thought themselves to be higher and better than others.  These people were so busy touting their "authority" and "position" that they did not recognize that the Creator had (in the words of Eugene Peterson) moved into the neighborhood.  They didn't understand that Jesus came to show us where to focus our attention - on loving God the Creator, and loving God's creation.  They focused on religion, and religion went astray. 

So I think it is okay to be religious - as long as it is not religiosity.  We need to guard against religion that covertly or overtly separates, segregates, oppresses, and creates hierarchies.  And I think those who see themselves as spiritual, not religious can embrace religion as a chosen expression of how they reflect their spirituality. 

If we want the definition of religion to change, then we (paraphrasing Gandhi) need to be the change.  We are all part of change.