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Posted June 1, 2011 by Charlie Van Dyke in Town Square
Topic One: "Spiritual but not religious"
That's a phrase you see and hear more and more. While many people feel well nourished in a traditional faith experience, a growing number seem to be moving into the category of "spiritual but not religious." Church congregations will say that they get strength from the community, common beliefs and shared outreach and support. Spiritual seekers who are not church goers may find community and growth in other ways.
So, our first Town Square discussion question is: If you are spiritual and not religious, how are you fed in your journey? How do you measure any progress or growth? What do you do to help yourself become more loving and forgiving? How or where do you find your connection to that source greater than yourself?
This is Town Square and there are no wrong answers. We are all looking to understand each other better!
That's a phrase you see and hear more and more. While many people feel well nourished in a traditional faith experience, a growing number seem to be moving into the category of "spiritual but not religious." Church congregations will say that they get strength from the community, common beliefs and shared outreach and support. Spiritual seekers who are not church goers may find community and growth in other ways.
So, our first Town Square discussion question is: If you are spiritual and not religious, how are you fed in your journey? How do you measure any progress or growth? What do you do to help yourself become more loving and forgiving? How or where do you find your connection to that source greater than yourself?
This is Town Square and there are no wrong answers. We are all looking to understand each other better!
Tags:
Spiritual, Religious, Traditional, Faith, Church, Belief, Town Square, Growth, Love, Forgiveness
Mary Jones wrote at June 17, 2011
0 Votes 
You are fed in your journey by the people you associate with and the actions you partake in. It is more of being one with the universe over being one with the ways of a specific religion.
Dana Ball wrote at June 9, 2011
0 Votes
To say one is spiritual but not religious is not a free pass for non-participation in workings of the universe. (I think I'm paraphrasing Charlie here.)
Genia Stephenson wrote at June 9, 2011
0 Votes
Sorry for the spelling/grammatical inaccuracies, I need to proofread my submissions better.
Genia Stephenson wrote at June 9, 2011
0 Votes
Just as a Rose & a Carnation are both flowers, they should not be compared to each other except in that one manner. And, so it is with people. We are all members of the same human species but our differences can situate us at opposite ends of the spectrum as easily as our similarities can place us side-by-side. When I taught school in Arizona, my home state, it was never tiring trying to figure out my students. Their differences & similarities were fascinating but just when you'd think you had a 'fix' on them, the dynamic would shift like quicksand. There was never a constant other than 'constant change'. From pre-school through some of high school you just never knew what to expect from them. I love what you have expressed about there are no wrong answers in this Town Square. I emphatically believe that mortal life covers the entire gamut of possibilities. By telling someone their response/feelings are 'WRONG', you have quelled in them the desire to, even, attempt. Gradually, if not instantly, they have metaphorically been relagated to 'the back of the bus'. If they had of not been supressed, who knows to what heights they might have soared. Perhaps, they are the ONE who could have discovered a cure for Cancer or Global Warming or famine or drought or who knows what. I 'graded' my student's papers with colorful markings & made constructive, thought-provoking comments instead of criticism & didn't assign grades to their work. I never said they failed either but, rather, they ATTEMPTED. I really don't think there are any answers set in stone to anything. In my experiences as I traverse this life, there are more than one answer to everything. Challenge: The next time you are faced with what seems to be an insurmountable obstacle that seems to have one or no answer, try 'Thinking Outside of the Box' and see what you conclude. I think you will be surprised & amazed.
Diana Gallegos wrote at June 3, 2011
0 Votes
I am fed in my spiritual journey by recognizing the "God" moments in my life and connecting with the people that I care about. My growth is measured by how close I feel to finding my own personal truth and being comfortable in my own skin. It's so easy for me to get caught up in other people's truths and assume that they should fit for me! I haven't been able to find an organized religion where I can be comfortable just being me! I help myself become more loving and forgiving by taking the time to really listen to my heart. It's during the times that I don't take time to listen that I feel disconnected from my spiritual journey.
English (US) 