Is spirituality possible without religion?

[Neopergoss]

I think it is. I consider myself spiritual. I think of the "oceanic feeling" that Freud talks about (with disgust, but he wasn't perfect). Goodness is what I feel connected with -- dignity, respect, and love for all people and the struggle against repression, fear, and hatred. And not just other people. Balancing patience and assertiveness, open-mindedness with integrity, and foregoing short-term indulgence for long-term happiness. Not just people, either. Experiencing elegant simplicity and beauty, especially in nature. Becoming aware of deeper truths and the connectivity between different ones. All of these things feel spiritual for me. These (http://www.todayszaman.com/news-236194-rebranding-egypts-inspiringrevolution-by-mamoon-alabbasi*.html) stories (http://www.democracynow.org/2011/2/1/millions_against_mubarak_democracy_now_s) from Egypt, (http://www.democracynow.org/2011/2/23/people_have_finally_found_their_voice) too.

I was influenced by some time spent around Quakers (no, they are nothing like Amish; they are actually cool...and no, they don't dress like the guy on the oatmeal box). They have some pretty cool ideas. They are nondogmatic and lack a central authority, so there is a lot of variation among Quakers about what they believe. I've considered that I could become a Quaker without even feeling to weird about it clashing with my atheism.

[UTAlan]

How are you defining religion?

[Neopergoss]

How are you defining religion?

Good question. I was thinking specifically of theism, but one might contend that there are atheist religions, and there is theism without religion. Let's say "without theism or organized religion." Is that clearer?

[Daxx]

More importantly, how are you defining spirituality? The examples you gave are pretty nebulous.

[Neopergoss]

More importantly, how are you defining spirituality? The examples you gave are pretty nebulous.

A feeling of connectedness with a larger reality. Is that still too nebulous? Maybe someone else can help.

[Daytripper]

Very difficult. It depends much on what religion and spirituality entails. Assuming theism and organized rituals are only 2 parts of religion, we can say spiritual life is covered in atheistic religions. I don't quite see how you make the distinction between spirituality and atheistic religion. The best question would be:

What have you covered that something else does not? 

[Neopergoss]

I don't quite see how you make the distinction between spirituality and atheistic religion. The best question would be:

What have you covered that something else does not?

Basically, my response is that I'm not aware of an atheist religion that corresponds perfectly to my own particular spirituality. They're all either missing something I have or they include something I don't. If you really want me to, I can get more specific, but I don't think that's necessary. I like Quakers, but I don't consider myself a Quaker and there are things about the religion I disagree with. I guess if I decided to do a religion I'd go to Quaker meetings, but I haven't decided that.

[Korugar]

Online dictionary:

definition of SPIRITUALITY

1: something that in ecclesiastical law belongs to the church or to a cleric as such
2: clergy
3: sensitivity or attachment to religious values
4: the quality or state of being spiritual

So, to figure out what number four means...

Definition of SPIRITUAL
1: of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit : incorporeal <spiritual needs>
2 a: of or relating to sacred matters <spiritual songs>
   b: ecclesiastical rather than lay or temporal <spiritual authority> <lords spiritual>
3: concerned with religious values
4: related or joined in spirit <our spiritual home> <his spiritual heir>
5 a: of or relating to supernatural beings or phenomena
   b: of, relating to, or involving spiritualism : spiritualistic

Maybe that won't help, but there you have it.