Sunday, February 21, 2010

Religion vs Spirituality

A poll by the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion and Public Life indicates that younger Americans are less likely to identify themselves as religious.

But, as New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow pointed out, they are more likely to reject religion, but embrace spirituality. (via Hot Air)

What's the difference? Plenty. I like the way Glenn Reynolds put it:
Religion often tells you to do things you don’t want to do, or to refrain from doing things you want to do, while spirituality is usually more . . . flexible.
He's a lot nicer about it than I would be.

Someone who is "spiritual" is someone who believes there is something missing, something more, but is too wrapped up in themselves to seek it out.

"Spirituality" is religion for the spiritually lazy. It's today's version of the "Rebel Without A Cause." Back in the '60s and '70s, teens grew their hair long like other teens.

Same thing today with tattoos and piercings and whatever else it is that these kids do.

They all want to be different ... together.

And that's spirituality. It's long hair. It's tattoos. It's metal in your head. It's the thing the cool kids do. To be different. Together.

Religion requires thought. Religion requires study. Religion requires understanding -- or, at least, the seeking of understanding.

And that's too much to ask of some people.

1 comment:

  1. "Metal in your head" equals FACE TACKLE. Use it, it makes them nuts.

