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I was just curious of the faith of the many that congregate here at Rave. =) Are you religious or spiritual? There is a difference. Do you do the ritual church thing or do you contemplate the whys, the wheres, and the whos in our world? And do you seem to dwell in a more ethereal plane of existance, experienced by few others? ;)

I'm not religous but I think I'm spiritual I do believe in Karma but other than that I jus try to get on with life as best I can and wahtever happens, happens :-)

He( SATAN) is my provider as I walk into the
Void for eternity I give him my soul
I shall do his bidding obey him
Without question even walk among the living if im told.

hmmm i'm not religious in the sense of rituals and the like.... i guess i'm spiritual, but i dont really know how to define it.....

I take little bits and pieces from everything and roll it into a little ball, and say "Hey that kinda looks like me" :P

i know that i am not a religious person. i would say that i'm more of a spiritual being if anything. i question everything and that may be the reason why religion doesn't work for me. i do my best to respect all life around me. unexplained things do happen now and then so i appreciate them for what they are, if that makes any sense. not sure if any of this makes sense at 7am.

I consider myself a spiritual mutt....I take bits from all types of cultures and beliefs and have conceived my own idea of spiritaullity......Religiuos....Not in the least....My Father is a Methodist Minister and I Loathe organized religion of any form shape or fashion!

Spiritual Mutt: I like that Fatalis. That would be the way to describe me as well I guess....Born and Christened Lutheran (sp?) as a baby...I grew up with no real direction so to speak...as an adult I began to seek answers and only found myself more confused...not many years ago I joined a Baptist Fellowship church, who's backgorund was based upon "Southern Baptisit's" beliefes, but not so closely...a church that accepted you no matter how you looked, what you did or didn't have, or your beliefs....I really liked that church...but still many questions I have remain unanswered and as usual I am just as confused as I ever was...only with a better understanding of my confussion...so does that answer y'r question...no...I'd have to say I'm more spiritual in my beliefs, then anything.

Now if somene could give me an actual deffination (put the dictionary away darling ;^} as to how to differ the two, maybe I could have a better understanding of what it is I feel and believe :^} :^*

As a loooooong time martial-artist, we big time study a "spirit" or enrgy that dwells with us. There is also alot of religion mixed in there too, loL I'ts sorta hard to say wheather i'm either one. So Kan i say "both" to anser u r Q ? lol

Thru all my training and teaching, i have seen and felt both spirtualty and had a geat dealing with the religion behind "Budo"(Japanese arts) and Tao(chinese arts). Zen, buddism and Tao I ching, and many other out looks on the human spirit, and, wat we do, or, where we go wen we die are all, in my opinion, sorta mixed 2gether. The spirit comes from the earth, and we return to it wen we physicly die, but our energy, depending on u r belief, can disipate in to the earth or float around in limbo, or go else where, I think any way. ^_^

i guess i consider myself lucky. my parents were kind enough to not raise me in any church and allowed me to make my own decisions concerning religion. i, in turn, am passing the same courtesy onto my children. i want them to choose what's right for them. not what i deem right.

I too am like that Squid (if ya don't mind me calling you that :^*) I don't think that any religion should be forced upon a child for many reasons...bceause I believe ther is too much coruption within. I think that kids (excuse the choice word) nowadays have a better understanding of things at a younger age, and can see for themselves, they question more at a younger age and to some degree should be abllowed to explore on their own...I have given my own daughter her choice, and have never tried to force my ideals upon her... if she asks I share them with her... but ultimitly it is her choice...

I plan on raising my children (at this rate, if I have any), to embrace every aspect of Gods and Goddesses they so choose.

I won't limit them to one, or force them to enjoy many-- just to know they are out there, and that everything around us, as spiritual beings, changes.

I suppose that's what I am feeling as of now.

*raises hand*

Another one for the spiritual mutt not religious nut side of the room.

To eschew dictionary definition and try to meet your request Dami (I think it was you ... damn that short term memory anyway lol), I think "religious" connotes strictures and structures whereas "spiritual" connotes beliefs and inner being. If that makes sense. If not, meh. I havent had coffee yet and I didn't sleep very much at all. :)

I would like to see how others address the difference between the two without quoting Mr. Webster. Perceptions can be very interesting things.

I should add this.......My parents never forced me to believe anything.....My distaste for Religion comes from the people I was surrounded by in the church......I was judged constantly in every aspect of my life by these people who were in theory supposedly Non-judgemental ( I still am to this day at 34 )......I do however have respect for my Father because he never tried to force his beliefs on me. I also have to Respect any parent (both of mine) who looks at their child and tells them that their political veiws are none of my business.....LOL......Obviously my Father doesn't Preach politics....

i'm wiccan, and that works for me. tis something i can understand. i think i'm pretty spiritual at the moment though (as opposed to religious). that may change, i don't know.

Anti-Religious. When this world perishes, and it will, the cause will be religion. Active or passive, Religion brings out the very worst in man. Beliving is submitting.

I think i'm spriritual, cause i don't like any religion i don't know maybe it's because religions have so many rules,rituals and stuff like that and i dont like rules. i really don't know

Since I am a Ordained Minister and a High Priest in the Wiccan Faith....I am religious. But since my training in martial Arts demands that I search inward to find balance and peace.....I am also spiritual.

I can explain this better by saying Many people have religion, but lack spirituality. Others are spiritual, but don't have religion. Blessed are those who have found hope with their deity and found balance and peace in their soul.

their deity?

is that me?


hah ..im kidding

by no means am i being sac religious.

Req...y'r explination does make some sense....but not much...Hawk y'rs didn't explain much though...someone please explain this in layman's terms....I'm not stupid mind you...but I've never understood the true meaning of either of these words....

dami, no one would ever think you're stupid

ill pull out the dictionary terms..and hopefully someone could it explain it more eloquently than i


spir·i·tu·al ( P ) Pronunciation Key (spr-ch-l)
adj.
Of, relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; not tangible or material. See Synonyms at immaterial.
Of, concerned with, or affecting the soul.
Of, from, or relating to God; deific.
Of or belonging to a church or religion; sacred.
Relating to or having the nature of spirits or a spirit; supernatural.




re·li·gious ( P ) Pronunciation Key (r-ljs)
adj.
Having or showing belief in and reverence for God or a deity.
Of, concerned with, or teaching religion: a religious text.
Extremely scrupulous or conscientious: religious devotion to duty.

One cannot explain the true meaning of the words "religious" or "spiritual". They words given to define to someone else how a person might be.

To me....Religion is hope....something to faith in and believe in a higher power. Spirituality is one-ness with one's self....and not being at war with the world in general.

Other might have a different idea of what the two words mean.....but these are mine. Hopefully some people share them.

Thus endth my sermon.....
go in peace.....blessed be.

well said hawk :o]

*bends down in front of deity.....*
heheh bet you were thinking I was going to pray huh....*ties her shoelaces together.....*
mwahahaha
I am spiritual.....but not very religious

daermon, you hit the nail right on the spot. my shoelaces are ALWAYS untied.

thank you :o]


my users name fits this thread so perfectly. lol

Yes it does......

Oh Blessed Mother.....watch over this thread.....and prevent it from getting closed too soon.

Blessed Be

hmm on this topic I would have to say I am a little bit of both... I am a very Spiritual person but then again I am a follower of my wiccan ways... So I guess you could say that ... I follow my own kind of followings. Maybe I should make the Church of Me... hehe

spiritual and im a witch too (but not wiccan)

I've been enlightened lol and i am a Discordian now lmao FNORD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not religious haven't said a prayer in a church for 11 years, I'm more spiritual, I ponder all that there is to ponder in this world and the next, for there is much to learn when you stop to think about things, for when you shut your mouth and listen you do not miss much and you learn much, When sitting in a room, do not speak, just open your ears and listen to every sound, every conversation, and you shall see that what I say is true

You can define these words from a dictionary, but we must look at it in this forum’s context.
Let’s see if we can get to a root of discussion.
Here is one basic divide “in my eyes”
How does Jamie define Religion… Do you believe that all the why’s in the universe were figured out a few thousand years ago, and have been passed down over time through a multitude of cultures to us now? Is it the big steeples and the power wielded by the large organized churches that everyone seems to have a problem with?
OR
Do you believe that nothing has been figured out? That every organized belief system that has rules is baseless? Can the human mind even start to contemplate what lies beyond its’ senses? If this is the case, then why do we try to understand what lies beyond? Is it for our own amusement, and is it ego that makes us believe that we can understand. This second idea seems to rely on our own imagination and experience, which is very different from person to person.

We then start to come up against Karma, which seems to ascribe to a universal right and wrong. We all feel we understand somewhat what Karma expects of us. Then does this fall into the organized religion category? It could, in a strict since.

Is it a combination of both ideas. Religions do typically believe in a spiritual realm that is more than we can imagine. It’s just put into a very basic form in church for mass consumption. Although, the higher-ups in the church, ie, the Pope, have many more writings to study and a more complicated idea of the world outside our perspective.

Organized religion has value in our cultures and societies, so does the quest for abstract spiritual knowledge.

The Great MightMouth Has Spoken

i would have to say that i am a very spritual person, have never been much for that religion stuff, always found it boring.

Have not found my inner self yet, On the top of my head I'm both for the reason I'm good and evil, right and wrong, hating and loving. In a sense covering every religion and spiritual sense I know of.

I'm definitely spiritual, I view religion as poisonnous coup on spirituality, one find find his/her own paths and clearly there are much uncomprehendable concepts which their meaning cannot just be transmitted by anything human (language/gestures etc... yea think of the buddha...no I'm not buddist either) If the path is called seeking enlightment I'm not sure thats the only way to go.. but self-seeking spiritually is surely a recomendable first step..

Hmm... I believe that anything is possible, that there may well be a God and his Angels, would love that to be true.. would'nt mind pulling on some wings!! *grins*.. Also that with all religion, they need a cunning plan to get people to 'follow' and hand over hard earned cash, so they can live the fancy life styles.. (american evangilists). And everyone is spirtual to some extent.. we all have a spirit (soul)..

I'm not bashing anyone's ideals, But I find it a shame that people seek the negative side of any relegion,christianity,cathlic,seventhdayadventest and look you is at the top or see that ugly bitch on the tv channel that barely comes in and say's it's about power and money, Which I must remind you most everybody wants. I know there is power thoughts in vamperism! I'm all about it. But anywho I believe to believe what makes you happy and protect those you love, and seek the inner core of your god/goddess/inner self medium and live it day to day.GOOD TIMES!

religion is a choice sprituality is fate you have to chose sides in this holy war me religious i dont think i dontgo ochurch mosque synagogue all no. yes i pray yes i meditate other than that its just to many gods for me to partake seriously in religious culture

I belive that i am very spirtual I don't belive in the whole church thing yet don't dismis it either

I was raised Catholic.. but I sin all the time so I'm pretty sure I'm going to hell no matter how many hail mary's I say...lol

'When hell is full, the dead will walk the earth' SO considering vampires and all, whoo are technically dead.. Hell is full!!! SIN SIN SIN... mhmm....

I cannot agree with religions of any kind ...i would never condemn anyone for being religious, each to their own....I live my life thinking that i don't want to cause hassle to anyone or attract it so i treat others the way i would expect to be treated ..whatever the situation ...I believe in no other beings or spirits guiding anyone etc etc ...i believe that we are here and that is that.

I am not anything but what I am. I avoid religion because anything that has rules to it is plain silly. I avoid labeling my spirituality in any way or form because that will some day turn into religion. It has in the past and it can certainly happen again. So far I've found it best to just be me.

i am religious i go to church and i read my bible

hmmm well i only go to church coz i go to catholic high school!! but i dont really believe in any of that stuff!!! at the moment im searching for a religion!! im doing the whole wiccan thing now, but i think that i have a problem believing in higher beings, so it probably wont last for long. i guess that im not religious and im not really spiritual.

im agnostic(sp?) i believe in some higher being and what not.... when i was little i believed in god but over the years i began to think about everything and looked around in diff religions all of them are interesting but i just dont believe in alot of there things and what not.

Even though my parents raised me in a lutheran church home and i was babtized when i was just a few weeks old. and i was brought up in a very religious home that shunned every other idea but what was said in church i have found myself truly connecting with wicca/ paganisim. finding wicca and practicing in secret untill i left my parents home, i have found a wonderful religion that welcomes me and all walks of life. unlike the hypocritical world of my youth.

i was in to the wiccan ways once i do like it very much. i dont have anything from it anymore but im thinking about getting it again i been thinking about going back lately....

i'm religeous....i go to church..i pray ...but by no means do i ever push my beliefs or thoughts on anyone who does not wish to believe or discuss it. I believe everyone basically does there own thing and that's it.

I wouldn't consider myself religious or spiritual. I grew up in a family that believed that their children should believe as they do no matter what and that anything that went against their beliefs was wrong. So I have chosen not to comit to any one way so that I may experience as many as I can. If that makes any sense...

I haven't figured out if I am both, either one, or none.. I kinda take a little from what I learned an make that my basis..

Well..I am something in the middle...."golden pathway"

wow I Know exactly what you mean


spiritual

I don't follow the dogma(great show)

I believe in the trinity Hebrew, Christian, Muslim which if you study is close to Budism in theory and not practice.

Most religeous institutions are full of hypochrits who don't follow their own doctrine. Though the dream is usually pure.

I stand alone searching for god and believing in myself.

Spell check!!

its just good to look around into them if u are confused on what u are. doing that helps a great deal.

I'm definitely more spiritual than religious I'm genera;;y very contemplative about spiritual matters religion is a very closed minded state to me.

I do not have a religion but like to think i have my own (and think we all should because we all learn from life differently) because i do believe in the holy light of God i have been saved a few times that has not been luck to just ignore the fact that thier is a God, i do also believe thier is a heaven and hell and that we do live on after death because the energy of our Thoughts, memories, Hate, Love, and happiness and feelings in general does not just die off. no i do not believe so because the power of these feelings is just too strong.

I see religion as confining, and usually hypocritical. At least in my case, adhereance to an organized religion has stunted my spirituality. Now, I am able to seek out "truth" where I will, and find a personal philosophy/dogma that brings me happiness, and brings me closer to god, who ever, and where ever she may be.

dont know

im still thinking of what i believe in and i havent came up with answers yet but i hope to soon i probably more spiritual than religious though...

i consider myself spiritual because of my upbringing which was pagan all the way i do belive in karma and the paranormal because i had seen it all my life but ....that is a nother story......

I guess you could say "spiritual", though that doesn't quite cut it. I remember things far older then any religion and I am a part of them. Things older then even this universe..this EXISTANCE would be better since there are so many universes out there. I remember when I was first spawned and who it was that ORIGINALLY created me. She is now in my life and will hopefully one day be my wife.

I am trying to re-gain "that which has been lost" to me for so very long. Perhapse I'll write a couple books about it?

Im not religious at all. i personally feel its a waist of time and i could spend my time sitting in my dark room staring at black walls, lmao. It would deffinately be more interesting.

I am both religious and spiritual. I am Christian and always have been, but I don't think it's the only religion, I believe that everyone has the choice to pick what they believe in, and I don't push my beliefs onto others.
I'm interested in nearly all religions, but Christianity is the only one I follow.

I don't know if i'm either. I think my body is spiritual but as far as my mind goes I'm not anything. Not atheist or catholic or demonic or satanic or methodist or monk or really anything. My body has like intune feelings though. Sometimes something like a religious tune comes on (not just like RAISE YOUR HANDS AND PRAISE THE LORD stuff) and I feel a unique sense of wholeness or sometimes spirituality and sometimes even religiousness.

So basically I don't know. I'm one of your odd ball people that doesn't fit in any specific categories.

I am not any of the two.I do not belive in god are any kind of high beings.

Well I consider myself an athesis... but I have seen a spirit/ghost... and saw things move when unpluggeed and belive in an after life,,, but do not belive in God, Satan, Heaven or Hell.

i am neither but in a way either... uh did you get that? ok, to make things simple i'm a schizophrinic gal so im a little bit of all. i have different personas like being possessed by countless demons from hell and in a way i like it.

i'm pretty messed up right? maybe i am but maybe i'm not. 0_0

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ..?

i can't make up my mind on anything.... heheheh Ü

well, there sure are alot of deep thoughts going on!

i, myself, am a spiritual person. i have been judged quite harshly by "religious people", but then, i live in the bible belt. despite that, no matter what religion or faith, i deeply respect those that actually follow their own imposed rules, arent hypocrites, condemning, or trying to convert or "save me". ha....."so save yourself! save yourself...." ♪

Í am a spiritual person, I take deep interest in wicca and cast spells every now and then never the less I have been labeled as "satan worshiper". ::sigh:: people always fear the things that they don't know and then their fear turns into hate and they still remain unknowning... if only they knew...

~AmaliA~

a bit of both, its a shame that the churches have put money before God

I dunno..I don't go to church..EVERY sunday..i just have my own faith! hehe!
=)

i personally am neither idk what i should believe in if anything so i dont .

After nearly nineteen years on the planet I still dont quite know where I stand on this.
Currently in my Philosophy lectures we are discussing 'Paleys Watch' which got me thinking...

" . . when we come to inspect the watch, we perceive. . . that its several parts are framed and put together for a purpose, e.g. that they are so formed and adjusted as to produce motion, and that motion so regulated as to point out the hour of the day; that if the different parts had been differently shaped from what they are, or placed after any other manner or in any other order than that in which they are placed, either no motion at all would have been carried on in the machine, or none which would have answered the use that is now served by it. . . . the inference we think is inevitable, that the watch must have had a maker -- that there must have existed, at some time and at some place or other, an artificer or artificers who formed it for the purpose which we find it actually to answer, who comprehended its construction and designed its use.

This is to say that nothing so complex could of been without a maker, and therefore the world must have had some sort of maker. Although I like the structure of this idea and understand how this could be percieved as explaining religion, who cretaed the creator in this case? Or is evolution a ploy in which to fool The Doubter?

(if you'd like to know anything more about Payley then hop onto http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/history/paley.html)

If there was a creator, then why does the world change?

You don't need church to belive!

I'm so against it; all of the manipulation, so many wars because different religions, inquisition, so many people died cuz of it......

I (just) like Paganism and Budism.
Their attitude is: 'If you ever see Budah, kill him, because he is in all of us'
and I totlly agree with it.
We are our own GODS

I don't belive
And sorry if I spelled wrong :-/

I grew up a Christian, but that changed over time. I always felt and saw things differently when i was a kid. I believed in God up until things happened to explain the other things i was going through. Since then...I've been going my own path and i only believe in what i feel and see and not what other people want me to believe. There is a sense of pressure from other beings of religion but i do stand my ground when i have to.

I am a spiritual being I know of god, however I do not know him does this make me a pegan ? So be it my soul is here and has remained for hundreds of years so yes I am spiritual

neither really

I am very spiritual, though I do practice a religion for myself, and still attend to christian mass, partly because i'm forced to go, and partly because it is a time for contemplation of other resouces.

Religion grips us in to many limitations. i am a spiritual person.

I am an Ordained Christain Minister as well as a High Priestess and devotee of Kali
My daughter was dedicated and given to Kali

That answer the question on where I stand?