In my opinion, the reason people are identifying themselves (when asked) about their faith is painfully obvious. There is all out assault on Christianity, and to pubicly admit your faith in God often leads to persecution. All one has to do is mention their faith or religion and they get verbal assaults like there is some shame in being religious. Political and religious "correctness" have taken over.

Labels like Jesus freak, evangelical Christian, or right wing religious nut are thrown around ad naseum. The vast majority of good people often take the hits for the few bad apples. The bad in our society is winning because we allowing ourselves to feel guilty and be shamed into being quiet about our faith.

The mega church phenomenon was initially a way to avoid the traditional labels, but now that group is being targeted as well. Until the good in our society takes a stand, we have to keep quiet to protect ourselves. Self preservation. It is horrific that we are headed in the direction we are. A civil war if you will.

I don't think it's a cop-out, I think many folks are genuinely confused. It is in our nature to yearn for spiritual peace, to try and make meaning out of our earthly existence. Is this all there is? Our mortal lives seem all to brief and insignificant in relation to the vastness of space and time.

Many are attracted to Christ's message of faith, hope, and love but are repelled by what they see in the modern church which is often far more interested in serving political rather than spiritual needs. They have a hard time squaring that message with the bigotry they see against homosexuals or the resentment they hear against the poor and disabled.

I'm a bit of an odd duck being both a Christian and a Liberal. I have a deep rooted Christian faith that gives me peace and comfort but even I don't attend regular religious services and haven't for years, primarily for the reasons outlined above. I disagree with Robert that there is an "all out assault on Christianity, and to pubicly admit your faith in God often leads to persecution." I have never witnessed religious persecution against Christians in America and don't believe it exists. I do however see Christians persecuting others, mostly Muslims, on a daily basis.

I wish all those seeking enlightenment and solace in a higher power a safe and peaceful journey.

Hogwash, Mr. Higgins. There is no "all out assault on Christianity," unless it is from within. The crazy people who spew hatred in the name of Christ have made everyone else wary of all Christians, and unfortunately sane Christians get tarred with that brush. But the war on Christianity is a figment of the right-wing imagination.
I, too, am tired of hearing people say they are "spiritual but not religious." I agree with most of what Miller says on the subject. But there remains a massive oversight in his discussion: the terrible wounding that the church, over the millennia, has done to its flock. The church has had and continues to have miserable failings, and has practiced and continues to practice deep sins against many people. They have been right to leave. Until the church stops these hurtful behaviors and reaches out in reconciliation to them, why should they come back? The church has many beautiful and worthwhile traditions, and I believe it can offer everything that people turn to other traditions to find, but those lesser-known practices such as meditation and mysticism have been repressed and hidden. Until they are revived and celebrated, mainline churches will continue to see their membership numbers dwindle.

I think there are those who have been abused, or heard of abuse, of the business of religion and they want to distance themselves from those non-Christian-like behaviors that define the overzealous or radical. I truly believe that anyone who considers themselves "spiritual but not religious" may be seeking to find some answer in a worship practice, but at the same time, may find the discipline required to make a commitment to a body of like-worshipers too much or too restrictive.

Does religious mean belonging to a particular church or doctrine?

While I don't believe belonging to a particular religious institution is necessary for eternal salvation, in my experience, being a member of my church has brought me joys in THIS kingdom that I would not have enjoyed without that kind of fellowship.

And I agree with you, Brian. Though I hear it often enough, even in my own church, I've really never witnessed any sort of persecution of true Christian actions or leadership. But there are those churches and groups routinely making headlines that cast all Christians in a bad light. Maybe these are the folks crying persecution?

As one who falls squarely in the spiritual but not religious way of living life I find this opinion piece totally misses the mark.

Simply because this man doesn't understand or like my choice of spiritual path doesn't mean I've copped out. It simply means I've chosen a different path than he has. Since it all falls to the basis of faith there is no right or wrong here. His choice to follow a traditionally espoused doctrine is no better or worse than my choice to not follow traditionally espoused doctrine.

I do find it curious that he and so many others are annoyed by people like me who simply choose to do it differently.

I think this comes from the trend of people not wanting to be held accountable for their beliefs/actions. "I'm spiritual, but not religious," simply means, I have beliefs and opinions about things, but I don't like an organized group of believers telling me what to do/think. The problem with this lies in knowing the difference between true and false teachings and being able to discern between those that make you feel good and those that are absolute truth.

I am currently reading an interesting book on this very matter, The End of Religion by Bruxy Cavey. In it, Mr. Cavey discusses the Jesus of the Bible as a man fighting against religion and all of the traditions and icons religion looks up. He cites specific biblical examples, and so far, his argument for "spirituality over religiousness" (read: Christianity is different from Catholicism, Baptist, etc.) is very compelling. I have always struggled with all the idea and traditions and icons that my religion gets caught up with. I grew up in going to Southern Baptist church(es) and my family was burned by a number of them because people take things in the bible (Old Testament) too far (divorce, being single, sacrifice, etc.). If you are Christian, is this not why Christ came to save us from...all of the tradition and rules and labels of the Old Testament? Jesus is the manifestation of God's love. Personally, I choose to be a follower of Christ because of THAT message. This means that I love my Muslim friends, my atheist friends, my agnostic friends, my christian friends all the same; I can talk about Jesus and God if they like, but if they are happy with their beliefs, who am I to love them less? I care about other people as members of humanity; Christians who don't, in my opinion, are not Christians, they are -ists of whatever religion.

A Christian bashing another Christian. Dude. No wonder so many folks are "Spiritual but not religious."

Gail - where, in any of my posts, do I say that I am a Christian? My words might have been harsh, but where did I "bash" his Christianity? I was simply trying to point out how he seems to avoid the Christian label by calling himself a liberal. Like it cancels out bad (Christian) with something good (Liberal). Safe.

Dude? Thank You for your input as a member of the media.

I think people are just afraid to admit to themselves or to the poll taker that they are actually atheist. Once you admit that the various holy books have no divine influence, all that is left is a nebulous Deism which is functionally no different from atheism.

I consider myself a Christian, because I follow the teachings and the leadership of Jesus, but many people who call themselves Christians have held the dogma but not the message: "Love thy neighbor." Christianity is not the oldest, nor the only world religion. I think Jesus would say that honesty, integrity, and kindness are more important than religion.

The song Me & Jesus by Tom T. Hall best describes my spirituality & religion. I consider myself a Christian & I believe I can be close to God & do the right things in life w/ out being part of organized religion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbehMv7Tlpw

I was raised in another state going to Pentecostal churches, I didn't agree w/ all their beliefs, but I didn't have much choice to attend. I went to some other churches on occasion w/ friends Baptists, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Catholic...enjoyed myself, but didn't care much for any of the churches, but still better than the churches "I tried on" once in GA.
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Attended a cute little Baptist church in Snellville & thought that it could possibly be a nice fit except I got tired of giving money only to have none for gas to work all week while the pastor told of all his trips to Hawaii, one of my children was terrified to go to Sunday school class after one time & that sent red flags about possible child molesters whom hide in churches everywhere, I got tired of being told I was a sinner EACH service (well deh why do you think I'm trying to go to church) & the women making snide comments about the slight cleavage that wasn't showing any more than any of theirs. Then we went to a mega church around Snellville & that was quite frightening! Traffic was backed up w/ police actually directing traffic & a band playing on the lawn w/ tents & booths selling books, tapes, shirts...are we at church or the fair?! So went inside & there are more booths selling things & a Starbucks w/ every creamer flavor imaginable, then go into the church part & the doors LOCK until after the service, not exactly comforting to be locked in & forced to stay. So never went back there.
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Went to another church because my kids were excited about all the "fun" things their friends said they do, but everyone & their dog felt the need to hug us constantly & the sad organ music always starts up when it's offering time & so on. No thanks...my "tithing" will go to good deeds in the community to help others & I'll just be like Tom T. Hall & kneel at that tree stump in my yard. God's got my (our) back & that's no cop~out! <3 :)

Great discussion. Thanks, all, for your comments.

I agree and disagree with some here. I was raised by my parents to pray every night and ask God to forgive my sins in the name of Jesus Christ who died for me so that I may have life after death on this earth. I have always felt a presence of God throughout my life in good times and bad. I have always considered the positive outcome from faith and prayer. I have also seen corruption around me including the church. To build respect for someone you consider Godly and to look toward this person for guidance only to discover that the very person teaching me is but a disgusting hypocrite. The feeling of disrespect is sickening and extremely hurtful. We as Christians must march forward and continue our mission in life, forgiving our trespassers while knowing that they too are human and sinners.

Whether or not you believe in a God or a different God than I or no God at all, it is my belief that self-responsibility and mutual respect for other human beings is the best method in life. I am old and my health is poor. I reckon I will be dead here soon but my faith tells me that I live again in the Kingdom of Heaven and without that faith, I can only imagine the misery and pain in which I would experience each day. Faith is a strong medicine. With it, you may see light. Without it, you may see nothing.

Thanks to my beautiful Granddaughter Mary for reading to me and asking me to comment and also for typing for me.

I struggled with any form of organized "Christianity". But I read the gospels and actually got the movie "JOHN" a movie based on the book of John that follows the scripture. It really helped me to get a better understanding of, what I understand Jesus to have taught. That he must leave this walk on earth, but he, God - Jesus, would send a spirit to help us through life. Thus (KJV), I am a believer in Jesus Christ as a personal savior, but 100% spiritually led on a day to day basis.

I think the shift from religious to spiritual has more to do with people realizing they can have questions about the purpose and meaning of existence without identifying with a religion.

For me, I just say I'm "secular humanist." It's functionally identical to being atheist or agnostic, but without all the stigma created by angry kids who just discovered the word "atheist."

Dear Mary S. Lewis,
You are AWESOME and so is your Granddaughter. What you have said is all that matters.
Thank you,
Mike

Religions almost always form around so called prophets. The unsuccessful ones are dismissed as cult leaders. The more successful ones are eventually deified and revered has having actually been god, the son of god, or at least in direct communication with him. We have a recent example in Joseph Smith. A two-bit con man from New York who told his friends that he found golden plates in his backyard. Today, the Mormon faith has billions of dollars and millions of members, rivaling even the number of Jews.

I think the religions we have now will slowly die out. It used to take war and extermination to kill off religions. Convert or die. That doesn't happen as much these days, except in Africa. As more people have free and easy access to information and rely less on superstition, we will see the end of organized religion.

I had a conversation with an atheist once that said in a random conversation, "I miss Jesus." He missed the comfort of believing that there was someone who always cared for him, that loved everyone and was concerned for every detail of his life. He lost his faith completely at one point, but he yearned for a spiritual connection. I had another friend that once said, "I believe in God, I just don't like him." All of us carry such hurt, and it's hard to reconcile that with a traditional view of God, especially if that hurt is caused by someone who is religious. I don't think the "spiritual but not religious" philosophy is a cop-out at all. I think those who identify as such as still searching.

In my life, God introduced himself to me as Jesus. I'll stick to that, but who am I to say how he'll introduce himself to you? And for those who have lost faith... well, it's like losing your best friend, really. So take your time and rekindle that connection. It may lead you back to your roots, or it may not, but it's worth pursuing. Just my two cents on this foggy morning :)

Honestly, I think the "religious, not spiritual" thing is a reflection of our culture...particularly in the US. We want things "our way". One can be religious by being spiritual and not have to follow any established doctrine. One can create a god of his or her liking.

But the Christian Church...it isn't about what we as individuals want. It is about communion, community. We don't do that very well in the US. We are individualistic. It is difficult for us, as individuals, to put aside our personal beliefs and embrace established dogma. We don't like to be constrained and we prefer to modify our dogma to meet our own thoughts about God. We rationalize, "God couldn't possibly mean...."

We also come up with all kinds of excuses why Church is bad but individual spirituality is good. There are bad people in Church, they do bad things, they make us uncomfortable, they make us angry, they put a bad mark on the collective whole. I think CS Lewis characterized that well in his Screwtape Letters.

If Christians truly lived out the faith...everyone would want to be Christian and this whole "spiritual but not religious" notion would not have any appeal. But such is the work of Saints and of faith.

I will say one thing for "spiritual, not religious". It at least admits that humans seek something beyond their fact-based intellect. There is a dimension to our being that basic science cannot satisfy. It is a start...

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