It drives me nuts when people say they’re spiritual and not religious Christians or anyone who claims to be any kind of theist, says they’re spiritual and not religious. The implication being that “religion is bad” and “spirituality is good”.

Eh?

The word “Religion” comes from the Latin word “religio” which means “respect for what is sacred, reverence to a God (god)”. Religio is also said to come from the word “relegare” which means to “bind fast” or “place an obligation on” or “bond between man and a God (god)”. Cicero held that religion also comes from “relegere” which means to “treat carefully”.  Catholic history actually defines religion as the “voluntary submission of oneself to God”.

Do you believe in the existence of a higher power? Do you submit to Him? Do you consider yourself bound to Him in any sort of relationship: father-child, master-servant, creator-creature? Do you resolve to live according to His rules, as spelt out in some book or by divine inspiration? Do you work daily at improving your understanding of and relationship with Him?

You are religious, my friend.

Spirituality, on the other hand, comes from the Latin “spiritus” which means “of the spirit, of breathing.” This is also the origin of the words inspire, respiration and perspire. So when you say you’re spiritual, what do you really mean? That you breathe? So does every other living thing. That you have a spirit? So does every other person.

Most people claim to be spiritual in the sense that they have a “personal” relationship with God outside of a church or institution. But based on word definition, it would seem that they actually mean they’re religious. But here’s the thing. You. Can. Be. Religious. Outside. An. Institution. Stop with the false semantics already.

You’re welcome.

Lol. You can tell this is a rant.