If somebody asked you, what's the difference between "spiritual" and "religious," how would you

[raccoon]

answer them?

I've been attending 12 step groups for years, and I understand the distinction but I'm not sure how to explain it to somebody else.

[Rhiannon12866]

1. I'm in AA and have struggled to explain this, as well...

I'm a liberal atheist, so I have trouble explaining how and why AA has worked for me because many of those looking at it from the outside (including many on DU) think of AA as some kind of a religious organization and it's not. There are people in AA who choose to have a higher power that they call God, but most I know do not. The only requirement for membership in AA is a desire to stop drinking, that's it...

In my experience, the spiritual component comes from the power of the rooms. There's something about a gathering of people all with the same aim, to remain sober, that works like nothing else does. There's a strength in that, an inspiration. That's how I've become and remained sober for a year and a half, by going to meetings. I tried, but I couldn't do it by myself. I never know when someone is going to say something that helps me, that I need to hear. That's what I mean about the power of the rooms. For whatever reason, it works.

I hope that this helps... :hi:

[Joe Chi Minh]

4. Yes, the spiritual is the psychic medium. The spirit of love and camaraderie

you speak of is actually the ultimate aim of all the Abramic religions, and doubtless other religions, ideally, in one way or another, being extended to all the circumstances of our lives.

All the rest of formal religion is subordinated to that purpose. Which is not to undervalue the benefits of formal religion to those able to espouse it in one form or another. But it is not the essence, which is love. Not selfish love. Love.

[Tripod]

19. 22 months, 18 days now. good job. that is a lot of 24 hours.

[madamesilverspurs]

2. Speaking only for myself, the difference is this ---

If it originates with God/Higher Power it's "spiritual."

If it originates with people, it's "religious."

The distinction works for me. Hope it helps with your explanations!


-

[WheelWalker]

20. +1

[Rhiannon12866]

3. "Religion is for those who fear god, spirituality is for those who have been to hell and back"

I ran into that interesting quote on a list of AA slogans I found on the internet and I thought of your post... I heard about HALT at an AA meeting and because I've been feeling all of those things at one point or another today, I decided to look it up and found this monster list. Here's another one, new to me, that I liked:

AA works for people who believe in god
AA works for people who don't believe in god
AA NEVER works for people who believe they ARE god

I'll have to remember that one for the next time somebody tells me that they won't try AA because they think it's a religious program. I'm not at all religious, and it's worked for me. Here's the link, if you're interested. You may find something that resonates with you, too: :hi:

http://www.aabibliography.com/12_step_acronyms_and_12_step_slogans.htm

[Tripod]

8. Nice link

Thank you for the link of other quotes. I hope that your recovery continues on. Good fortune

[Rhiannon12866]

9. To be honest, it's the people who have helped me much more than any saying could.

I've met people who have reached out to me and inspired me. That's what the spirituality is all about, the power of the people in the rooms. You can read a thousand books or memorize a million quotes, but without that human element, they're just words. It's seeing the miracles that have happened to the people I look up to that has kept me sober, One Day at a Time. :)

[get the red out]

5. Inner work

The results of inner work to help oneself become useful to oneself, other individuals, and society as a whole. Just my take.

[Enthusiast]

6. "Religious" requires

one to adhere to specific dogma while spirituality does not. "Spiritual" can be anywhere.

[Joe Chi Minh]

7. Yes, the word, 'religion' does have the sense of 'binding'. The meaning of 'spiritual'

is much broader, and can simply signify the meaning, 'psychic'.

[Pacifist Patriot]

10. Spirituality is personal. Religion is communal.

And no, religion does not have to mean subscribing to a common doctrine. There are non-creedal religions.

[Taverner]

11. Spiritual is asking yourself.

Religious is asking a Priest/Reverend/Minister

[Justpat]

12. Spiritual is the personal connection you have with the Diety of

your choice.

Religion is the method you us to worship that Diety.

Works for me.

[NMDemDist2]

13. hey lady!! great to see you!

:hi:

[Justpat]

14. Hey yourself!

I haven't been here for a while. It is good to see you are still here.

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[NMDemDist2]

15. and celebrating 19 years on the 28th of this month

:wow:

wonders never cease yanno??? :rofl:

[Justpat]

16. Wow.

I'll check back with you on the 28th.


On Jan 2nd I celebreated 30 years of a day at a time. Yikes.

[NMDemDist2]

17. I knew you were up there somewhere

:yourock:


you still cooking?? :hide:

[Justpat]

18. Yeah, and I 'm still loving being sober more than ever.

About that cooking... not so much.

[ismnotwasm]

21. Since I'm agnostic

I've learned to reframe the word spirituality. My 'spirit' is simply a word that encompasses everything I am, and my 'spirituality' describes everything that I am, that affects everything and everybody else around me.

So having a spiritual house in order, even without a concept of a deity, means I'm going to do the best I can with the principles I've learned. Honesty, hope, faith, courage, integrity, willingness, humility, love for others, justice, perseverance, spirituality (that word again) and service

Religion may have all kinds of spiritual principles, but is usually about a specific deity with specific rules for worship. Not my cup of tea, even If I was emotionally capable of it.