Spiritual v Religious
The phrase, "I am spiritual, but not religious" seems to be thrown around quite freely these days. I hear it all the time. People offer this statement up-front and unsolicited, as if it had redeeming qualities. To the folks that use it, it seems to qualify them as one of the "good guys."
With the increased use of this phrase, and since I did hear it again just within the past couple of days, I thought it needed some consideration. Is it just a cliché or does it bear any significance to what they believe and the way they worship their creator? What do these, seemingly, well-meaning folks intend by this statement? And, equally important, does the spirituality they claim measure up to Jesus' statement in the gospel of John that we must be born again spiritually to see the Kingdom of God? Or, is it more of the sort that the apostle Paul condemns in the first chapter of his epistle to the Romans where he says their misguided spirituality has led to worshiping the creature instead of the creator?
Indeed, many of us have learned from our secular history classes, as well as the Bible, of people who worship the spirits of birds, bears, buffaloes and many other animals and gods made with their own hands (idols) which are not gods at all. Some even worship satan. This practice goes on even today with folks worshipping the sun, moon and even the earth itself; worshipping the creation instead of the Creator who lives forever and ever. Amen!
Those who do these things consider themselves to be quite spiritual, but Paul tells us that their foolish hearts were darkened and professing themselves to be wise, they became fools.
In this same realm of confusion lurks the idea that traditional worship, with a liturgical service, Hymnal and organ, should be put away in favor of a contemporary service that does not appear to be, or sound like, a Church service. (For more on this subject see my article on "Liturgical and Free Services Compared") Having said that, there may be yet another direction in which we could move concerning this statement. It seems there could be some who would mean they are intent on drawing closer to God, and moving away from what they believe to be merely "religious trappings" combined with worldly philosophies. Psychology, "feel-goodism" and love yourself, as a prerequisite to loving anyone else, are being taught from many pulpits in our time. It is right to reject these philosophies as they are contrary to biblical teaching. On the latter, Jesus said that we should love our neighbor as ourselves, indicating that we already (love) think more highly of ourselves than our neighbor.
Also, many who claim some sort of elite spirituality seem to worship a god they have manufactured in their head who is not the God revealed to us in Scripture; a sort of "designed-it-myself" god. So, it can be seen that there is quite a difference in being merely spiritual and in worshiping the God of Scripture in truth and in spirit as the Bible tells us we must do.

I beg to differ about your article on the liturgical vs the free services. I attend a church with the "free service" and do not feel like I am watching "a star".

I beg to differ after reading your article. I attend a free service and to me it feels less like watching the star of the service than when I attend a more structured service. The only structure we have is the singing in the beginning and the blessing at the end. Our services are filled with teaching from the pastor as well as interaction

sorry about the double posting
The interaction in our service is in the way of prayer for others, and the nations.

Thank you for your contribution, Shelli. It is very much appreciated.

Jerry,
Thank you so much for your advice. I truly believe that David is the head of my home and I trust that God will settle this. My husband has a tendency to want to hurry into things he hasn't fully thought out. We discussed this over lunch today and he wants to move forward on mission work. I encouraged him to look into a longer term assigment than the ones our church sends out (1 wk or 2) and to take the girls on a trip as well so that the family can make a move that is well thought out instead of hasty. I will continue to pray for him, I don't want him giving up on his calling. I know God will lead him to do the job he'd have him do. I am just urging caution so that Dave is not the one deciding the path, but instead God is. Thank you again for your insight.