Seven ways to be both spiritual and religious

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6 thoughts on “Seven ways to be both spiritual and religious”

  1. We have to open the door to knowledge of the true way of life by constant exposure of it. Through early catechisis, church bulletins, homilies, greetings, song, and other (quote- marketing techniques). We need to act a the Apostles did, with love and reverence.

  2. This is a nice approachable article on the false dichotomy between being religious and being spiritual. It is true that much of this hinges on the focus that is placed on freedom and individuality. In the past, I’ve often approached this topic pointing out that there is “freedom FROM something” as well as “freedom to DO something.” Often individual freedom tends to focus on the first–to be free is to not be tied down. But the latter points to the integrity of commitment as well as the risks of believing in the absence of things seen.
    It is worth pointing out that the word RELIGION comes from the word religare–which means to bind or to be bound to something. And I your #1 point above can be applied in many other cases because religion ties you to the concerns, obligations, responsibilities of and to others.
    In any case, in the most charitable sense, this polarization of religion/spirituality is a bit of a immature, or not fully developed sense of religious devotion. If one were simply devout but spiritless I think they would be less than nourishing and bear little seeds and fruit. So too those who are somehow all spirit but without any ties of empathy and compassion–all Love of God with little love of neighbor–would have very little to point to within this earthly realm to manifest the presence of what is good, true, or beautiful, etc.
    In the end, that is the great hallmark and mystery of the incarnation for Christianity. It isn’t about being religious vs spiritual. It is about entering into the great relationship of God’s love for humanity.

  3. Jose Luis M. Crespo

    I have a problem with #6…..I am all for spreading the news about the Lord’s unconditional love and mercy…..but some, including priests, I think have strayed away from the punishment aspect too much. Sin still exits and so does hell, but the pendulum has swung too far to the left when we don’t talk about these anymore…..I do believe we should differentiate between loving the person and hating the behavior. It is not a free for all just because we are banking on the Lord’s unconditional love and mercy. There should be a balance.

  4. DEACON RALPH,COX

    THANK YOU FOR PRESENTING THIS TOPIC SO WELL. IT CALLS FOR. GREATER DISCOURSE AMONG ALL CATECHISTS.
    DEACON RALPH COX
    HARWICH,MA

  5. This is a comprehensive article covering the topic very well. I would like to add my thoughts to #5 or perhaps this is an additional point. Religion or finding God within the institutional church involves community. In our society today people are seeking a place to belong. RCIA provides that place for a couple of years while people are introduced to Jesus and to the parish and, as Team RCIA challenges us, we need to bring our folks into the parish community so they have a broader sense of belonging. We all need community and the local parish can provide this in so many ways. Our faith is relational with God and with others.
    Thanks so much for the resources that you provide so that we can more effectively be used to bring people into relationship with Jesus the Christ!

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