If you are religious now and were non-religious before

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wasn’t religious in college through grad school and told people I didn’t believe. But something always seemed to be calling to me. I returned to the episcopal church after my kids were born—the episcopal church gives me the freedom to explore a theology and my belief. I guess I don’t want to give more details because OP will tear into me.

Not OP. I had a similar experience and I'm curious: Did you return to the church after your kids were born because you wanted to provide them with a religious foundation, or because it seemed like an easy reason to return yourself (ie. there are more families engaged than childless couples or singles so you have a peer group), or a mix, or something else altogether?

Personally, I found a place (after a lot of looking) that had a good number of active young professionals before I had kids, so I was able to make friends, but before that, it felt so uncomfortable socially (not religiously) to be there. I'm so glad to have a place that I and my kids love to be with people we love and the spiritual meaning I was looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wasn’t religious in college through grad school and told people I didn’t believe. But something always seemed to be calling to me. I returned to the episcopal church after my kids were born—the episcopal church gives me the freedom to explore a theology and my belief. I guess I don’t want to give more details because OP will tear into me.

Not OP. I had a similar experience and I'm curious: Did you return to the church after your kids were born because you wanted to provide them with a religious foundation, or because it seemed like an easy reason to return yourself (ie. there are more families engaged than childless couples or singles so you have a peer group), or a mix, or something else altogether?

Personally, I found a place (after a lot of looking) that had a good number of active young professionals before I had kids, so I was able to make friends, but before that, it felt so uncomfortable socially (not religiously) to be there. I'm so glad to have a place that I and my kids love to be with people we love and the spiritual meaning I was looking for.

PP here. I wanted it for myself and my kids. I’m glad you’ve found a spiritual community that’s right for you. I have too!

[Anonymous]

Funny how everyone uses "spiritual" these days, rather than "religious." It's almost as if people are embarrassed to say they're religious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Funny how everyone uses "spiritual" these days, rather than "religious." It's almost as if people are embarrassed to say they're religious.

Spiritually and religion are two different things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny how everyone uses "spiritual" these days, rather than "religious." It's almost as if people are embarrassed to say they're religious.

Spiritually and religion are two different things.

what is spirituality?

[Anonymous]

There aren't a lot of places where we can grapple with hard stuff and be mad at the universe and bring their thanks and fears and losses to a community. I feel like Christianity gives me a practice and vocabulary and fellow travelers to deal with death and failure and focus on what it really means to be human. I don't even have a strong faith that God exists, but that is okay. I can choose religion because of my need for it without being certain of its truth proposition, God will be fine even if my faith is weak.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny how everyone uses "spiritual" these days, rather than "religious." It's almost as if people are embarrassed to say they're religious.

Spiritually and religion are two different things.

Correct, but the thread is "If you are religious and were non-religious before." So why do so many people say they are "spiritual?" As you say, they're two different things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you started this thread to confront people who used to be atheists and are now religious? Okaaaayyyy…. No wonder nobody is engaging with you.

OP. This is my first time replying to any post in this thread. I haven't read many of the posts. Why did you assume that I was the poster who you're referring to?

Thanks to everyone who has posted helpful posts!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you started this thread to confront people who used to be atheists and are now religious? Okaaaayyyy…. No wonder nobody is engaging with you.

OP. This is my first time replying to any post in this thread. I haven't read many of the posts. Why did you assume that I was the poster who you're referring to?

Thanks to everyone who has posted helpful posts!

So op: 5 days ago you asked this question, and now you are back and haven’t read many of the posts?

Why are you asking this question, then leaving the forum for 5 days and then re-visiting your thread and announcing you haven’t read most of the responses?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny how everyone uses "spiritual" these days, rather than "religious." It's almost as if people are embarrassed to say they're religious.

Spiritually and religion are two different things.

Correct, but the thread is "If you are religious and were non-religious before." So why do so many people say they are "spiritual?" As you say, they're two different things.

DP. In our church, the word “spirituality” is used all the time and it’s a compliment to say someone is “spiritual.” I don’t know pp’s background, but Christians have been talking about spirituality for hundreds, maybe even 2,000, years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny how everyone uses "spiritual" these days, rather than "religious." It's almost as if people are embarrassed to say they're religious.

Spiritually and religion are two different things.

Correct, but the thread is "If you are religious and were non-religious before." So why do so many people say they are "spiritual?" As you say, they're two different things.

DP. In our church, the word “spirituality” is used all the time and it’s a compliment to say someone is “spiritual.” I don’t know pp’s background, but Christians have been talking about spirituality for hundreds, maybe even 2,000, years.

In our common parlance these days it is indeed a compliment. But I suspect it is also a way to differentiate yourself from people who are "religious," which isn't seen as a compliment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you started this thread to confront people who used to be atheists and are now religious? Okaaaayyyy…. No wonder nobody is engaging with you.

OP. This is my first time replying to any post in this thread. I haven't read many of the posts. Why did you assume that I was the poster who you're referring to?

Thanks to everyone who has posted helpful posts!

Because pp is a little wacky

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny how everyone uses "spiritual" these days, rather than "religious." It's almost as if people are embarrassed to say they're religious.

Spiritually and religion are two different things.

Correct, but the thread is "If you are religious and were non-religious before." So why do so many people say they are "spiritual?" As you say, they're two different things.

DP. In our church, the word “spirituality” is used all the time and it’s a compliment to say someone is “spiritual.” I don’t know pp’s background, but Christians have been talking about spirituality for hundreds, maybe even 2,000, years.

But what does it mean?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you started this thread to confront people who used to be atheists and are now religious? Okaaaayyyy…. No wonder nobody is engaging with you.

OP. This is my first time replying to any post in this thread. I haven't read many of the posts. Why did you assume that I was the poster who you're referring to?

Thanks to everyone who has posted helpful posts!

So op: 5 days ago you asked this question, and now you are back and haven’t read many of the posts?

Why are you asking this question, then leaving the forum for 5 days and then re-visiting your thread and announcing you haven’t read most of the responses?

To OP -- please consider not getting sucked in by this agitating poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny how everyone uses "spiritual" these days, rather than "religious." It's almost as if people are embarrassed to say they're religious.

Spiritually and religion are two different things.

Correct, but the thread is "If you are religious and were non-religious before." So why do so many people say they are "spiritual?" As you say, they're two different things.

DP. In our church, the word “spirituality” is used all the time and it’s a compliment to say someone is “spiritual.” I don’t know pp’s background, but Christians have been talking about spirituality for hundreds, maybe even 2,000, years.

But what does it mean?

Very great question. It sounds like vague enough to be very cool, but not "religious" which isn't seen as cool.