Religion or Spirituality

Elevenses101

Hello all, I would like your opinion on something. Seeing that religion in Ireland is something that is not looked upon as the greatest thing since the whole child abuse scandal; I would like to know one thing. Which do people relate more to? Religion (be it Christian, Protestant or whatever belief) or spirituality?

I myself, even though I'm a Christian, am more of a follower in Spirituality rather than religion.

What do ye relate more to and what are your reasons for it??
Cheers

Fanny Cradock

Elevenses101 wrote: »

Hello all, I would like your opinion on something. Seeing that religion in Ireland is something that is not looked upon as the greatest thing since the whole child abuse scandal; I would like to know one thing. Which do people relate more to? Religion (be it Christian, Protestant or whatever belief) or spirituality?

I myself, even though I'm a Christian, am more of a follower in Spirituality rather than religion.

What do ye relate more to and what are your reasons for it??
Cheers

BTW, Protestantism is a denomination of Christianity.

Fanny Cradock

I think you will have to define what you mean by spirituality.

strobe

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

I think you will have to define what you mean by spirituality.

There's always a first time, I suppose.

Elevenses101

Fanny Cradock wrote: »

I think you will have to define what you mean by spirituality.

Well it can mean different things for people. For some, it is knowing that there is something out there, something that they might turn to for strength and guidance. A lot of people believe in Angels as part of spirituality but not so much a follower of religion....that is they don't go to mass every Sunday or say the angelus every day.

Yet they do still believe in a higher being (hope that's the correct phrase) but at the same time, not a dedicated follower of religion.

Galway K9

Spirituality is identical in nature but differs in characteristics and beliefs per person so very difficult to answer, however spirituality or christianity any day.

Christianity propaganda is the exact thing that Jesus was fighting against inside the market by tossing over tables and going against the high priests

PDN

We don't need a muppet-magnet thread here. But the OP may want to start a similar thread in the Spirituality Forum.

Fanny Cradock

Elevenses101 wrote: »

Well it can mean different things for people. For some, it is knowing that there is something out there, something that they might turn to for strength and guidance. A lot of people believe in Angels as part of spirituality but not so much a follower of religion....that is they don't go to mass every Sunday or say the angelus every day.

Yet they do still believe in a higher being (hope that's the correct phrase) but at the same time, not a dedicated follower of religion.

That sounds a lot less like Christianity and lot more like something Oprah would espouse. Admittedly there are many Christians - and I use that word very loosely - who would fit into that type of nebulous spirituality; where God, if he exists, may or may not be, YHWH, the God of the bible, Jesus may or may not have existed and if he did he may or may not have been Divine, perspectives on soteriology could be just about anything etc., etc. In other words, a thoroughly postmodern approach to Christianity.

On the other hand, there are also Christians who aren't necessarily wedded to a particular denomination - Indeed, they may have become disillusioned with whatever tradition they were brought up in. For example, the rise of post-evangelical movement in the US - but would be quite orthodox in their beliefs. Donald Miller, author of Blue Like Jazz, would be one example.