Friday, December 6, 2013
American Humanist article on spiritual-but-not-religious persons
New User? Click Here »
Log In Log Out
Search
American Humanist Association
Advocating progressive values and equality for humanists, atheists, and freethinkersAbout the AHA »
What Is Humanism »
Our Work »
AHA News »
Support Humanism »
Hnn | HNN Articles
Share
Font Size: A A A
What Does “Spiritual Not Religious” Mean? It’s Complicated.
Home
Latest Issue
Contact Us
Syndicate HNN
Years ago, I signed onto a dating site, where algorithms work hard to match compatible partners based on answers to questions concerning habits, preferences, professional and educational background and beliefs. To address the last category, the site offered a choice of Christian/Catholic, Christian/Protestant, Christian/Other, Jewish, Other, Agnostic, (“Atheist” was not added until recently) and of course, Spiritual, Not Religious.
I probably checked that last one because nothing else I saw captured the essence of my, well, spiritual side. I’ve since discovered those three words don’t do much for me either, but I’m swimming against the tide.
The phrase is everywhere these days, an increasingly popular descriptor and category into which the rising number of “nones” are placing themselves, according to The Pew Research’s 2012 "Religion and Public Life Project." One-fifth of the adults sampled identified as “spiritual not religious” (one-third of those were under 30), up significantly from its 2008 three-part survey on beliefs in the United States. Not surprisingly, the phrase is up for interpretation even as a tug-of-war appears underway amongst various traditional religions, ancient belief systems, new-age lifestyles and humanists who are vying for the hearts, minds and, um, spirits of the unaffiliated.
What does self-identifying as a spiritual not religious individual say about that person’s beliefs or needs? Depends on who’s doing the identifying.
Last year, Ben Biber, humanist chaplain at American University, proposed humanism as a place for some of those who are “searching for connections, community, and senses of purpose.”
And two British comedians and humanists have been offering non-theist Sunday “services.” Some mainstream U.S. media outlets like CBS News have picked up the story of the atheist mega-churches that are taking our country by storm.
A media exaggeration, yes, but enough people are seeking the company of like-minded people with whom they can share positive, communal experiences to make these large group activities viable. Apart from the atheist non-church, humanist chaplaincies like the one at Harvard University have appeared to address the spiritual needs of their non-theistic constituencies.
Traditional religions aren’t about to concede the “spiritual not religious” moniker to the secular community, however. The megachurch services I’ve attended are impressive events, part rock concert and part giant barbecue, less bowing of heads and more clapping of hands, more spirituality than religiosity. In this view, either religion or spirituality will get you to God. A recent article in the Mormon newsletter Deseret News supported this view, featuring the results of a study that illustrated the spiritual is rarely if ever truly separated from the religious.
So “spiritual not religious” is open to interpretation, a conclusion supported by the highly unscientific (but highly illuminating) online poll I conducted among my Facebook friends, about 30 of whom participated. An eclectic, outspoken lot, they had quite a bit to say about what that expression meant. One respondent sharply observed, “‘Spiritual’ is a denial of atheism and ‘not religious’ denies a structure. It’s a defensive measure regarding the assumed judgment of others.”
That may sound harsh but it rings a bit true. Calling oneself spiritual, as another plainspoken friend noted, provides cover in Christian America. The word leaves open the possibility that you are acknowledging the existence of a greater something. Even if you don’t call it divine, we know what you mean. At least you’re not a heathen or, heaven forbid, godless.
While some of the replies rejected the category, most took a more benign view. For a few, it was a way of finding God; for others, a way to discover they didn’t need a god. Some looked inward, some looked out. Many mentioned an appreciation of the natural world, others emphasized an involvement in the community. All of them viewed theirs as a solo journey, personal and unique—as do I.
I have yet to decide what it all means: the rush of emotions when I hold a newborn baby, or find myself in the company of friends, when I watch the moon rise or the sun set, when I contemplate my existence or think of nothing at all. Somehow “spiritual not religious” doesn’t capture the essence of my non-material existence—my relationship with what I can and can’t see or know. In fact, I’ve yet to run across a word or phrase that does. Henceforth, I’ll respond to any and all questions about my beliefs with another thoroughly contemporary and ubiquitous response: It’s complicated.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nikki Stern is the author of Because I Say So: Moral Authority’s Dangerous Appeal and Hope in Small Doses, published by Humanist Press. Her writings have appeared in the New York Times, Newsweek, USA Today, and the Humanist. She has appeared on NPR’s “All Things Considered” and CBS’ “Sunday Morning.” She writes for her blog at www.nikkistern.com.
More Sharing ServicesShare Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on email
Become a MemberStrengthen the humanist voice
DonateSupport humanism
Take ActionStand up and be heard
Get LocalBe an activist in your community
The Humanist HourThe official podcast of the AHA
Shop HumanismBooks, stickers and more
Speak Your Mind!Discussion board for humanists
American Humanist Association
Thank you to everyone who took part in #GivingTuesday by donating to the America...
3 days ago
Learn more about the Appignani Humanist Legal Center Learn more about the Center for Humanist Activism Learn more about the Feminist Caucus of the American Humanist Association Learn more about Humanist Charities Learn more about humanist leadership The Humanist Institute Learn more about applying humanism to daily life at the Humanist Society Learn more about the International Darwin Day Foundation Learn more about huamnist education at The Kochhar Humanist Education Center Support LGBTQ humanists at the LGBTQ Humanist Council
About Us
Privacy Policy
Contact Us
Shop
Community
CFC
# 19492 Best in America Charity Navigator 4-Star Charity GuideStar Exchange Valued Partner Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Watch AHA videos on Vimeo
View AHA photos on Flickr
Watch AHA videos on YouTube
Follow us on Tumblr
+ Power and Design from Boston + Liberty Concepts +
Copyright © 2013 American Humanist Association
New User? Click Here »
Log In Log Out
Search
American Humanist Association
Advocating progressive values and equality for humanists, atheists, and freethinkersAbout the AHA »
What Is Humanism »
Our Work »
AHA News »
Support Humanism »
Hnn | HNN Articles
Share
Font Size: A A A
What Does “Spiritual Not Religious” Mean? It’s Complicated.
Home
Latest Issue
Contact Us
Syndicate HNN
Years ago, I signed onto a dating site, where algorithms work hard to match compatible partners based on answers to questions concerning habits, preferences, professional and educational background and beliefs. To address the last category, the site offered a choice of Christian/Catholic, Christian/Protestant, Christian/Other, Jewish, Other, Agnostic, (“Atheist” was not added until recently) and of course, Spiritual, Not Religious.
I probably checked that last one because nothing else I saw captured the essence of my, well, spiritual side. I’ve since discovered those three words don’t do much for me either, but I’m swimming against the tide.
The phrase is everywhere these days, an increasingly popular descriptor and category into which the rising number of “nones” are placing themselves, according to The Pew Research’s 2012 "Religion and Public Life Project." One-fifth of the adults sampled identified as “spiritual not religious” (one-third of those were under 30), up significantly from its 2008 three-part survey on beliefs in the United States. Not surprisingly, the phrase is up for interpretation even as a tug-of-war appears underway amongst various traditional religions, ancient belief systems, new-age lifestyles and humanists who are vying for the hearts, minds and, um, spirits of the unaffiliated.
What does self-identifying as a spiritual not religious individual say about that person’s beliefs or needs? Depends on who’s doing the identifying.
Last year, Ben Biber, humanist chaplain at American University, proposed humanism as a place for some of those who are “searching for connections, community, and senses of purpose.”
And two British comedians and humanists have been offering non-theist Sunday “services.” Some mainstream U.S. media outlets like CBS News have picked up the story of the atheist mega-churches that are taking our country by storm.
A media exaggeration, yes, but enough people are seeking the company of like-minded people with whom they can share positive, communal experiences to make these large group activities viable. Apart from the atheist non-church, humanist chaplaincies like the one at Harvard University have appeared to address the spiritual needs of their non-theistic constituencies.
Traditional religions aren’t about to concede the “spiritual not religious” moniker to the secular community, however. The megachurch services I’ve attended are impressive events, part rock concert and part giant barbecue, less bowing of heads and more clapping of hands, more spirituality than religiosity. In this view, either religion or spirituality will get you to God. A recent article in the Mormon newsletter Deseret News supported this view, featuring the results of a study that illustrated the spiritual is rarely if ever truly separated from the religious.
So “spiritual not religious” is open to interpretation, a conclusion supported by the highly unscientific (but highly illuminating) online poll I conducted among my Facebook friends, about 30 of whom participated. An eclectic, outspoken lot, they had quite a bit to say about what that expression meant. One respondent sharply observed, “‘Spiritual’ is a denial of atheism and ‘not religious’ denies a structure. It’s a defensive measure regarding the assumed judgment of others.”
That may sound harsh but it rings a bit true. Calling oneself spiritual, as another plainspoken friend noted, provides cover in Christian America. The word leaves open the possibility that you are acknowledging the existence of a greater something. Even if you don’t call it divine, we know what you mean. At least you’re not a heathen or, heaven forbid, godless.
While some of the replies rejected the category, most took a more benign view. For a few, it was a way of finding God; for others, a way to discover they didn’t need a god. Some looked inward, some looked out. Many mentioned an appreciation of the natural world, others emphasized an involvement in the community. All of them viewed theirs as a solo journey, personal and unique—as do I.
I have yet to decide what it all means: the rush of emotions when I hold a newborn baby, or find myself in the company of friends, when I watch the moon rise or the sun set, when I contemplate my existence or think of nothing at all. Somehow “spiritual not religious” doesn’t capture the essence of my non-material existence—my relationship with what I can and can’t see or know. In fact, I’ve yet to run across a word or phrase that does. Henceforth, I’ll respond to any and all questions about my beliefs with another thoroughly contemporary and ubiquitous response: It’s complicated.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Nikki Stern is the author of Because I Say So: Moral Authority’s Dangerous Appeal and Hope in Small Doses, published by Humanist Press. Her writings have appeared in the New York Times, Newsweek, USA Today, and the Humanist. She has appeared on NPR’s “All Things Considered” and CBS’ “Sunday Morning.” She writes for her blog at www.nikkistern.com.
More Sharing ServicesShare Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on email
Become a MemberStrengthen the humanist voice
DonateSupport humanism
Take ActionStand up and be heard
Get LocalBe an activist in your community
The Humanist HourThe official podcast of the AHA
Shop HumanismBooks, stickers and more
Speak Your Mind!Discussion board for humanists
American Humanist Association
The latest episode of The Humanist Hour Podcast is available! Listen as Todd an...
9 days ago
Learn more about the Appignani Humanist Legal Center Learn more about the Center for Humanist Activism Learn more about the Feminist Caucus of the American Humanist Association Learn more about Humanist Charities Learn more about humanist leadership The Humanist Institute Learn more about applying humanism to daily life at the Humanist Society Learn more about the International Darwin Day Foundation Learn more about huamnist education at The Kochhar Humanist Education Center Support LGBTQ humanists at the LGBTQ Humanist Council
About Us
Privacy Policy
Contact Us
Shop
Community
CFC
# 19492 Best in America Charity Navigator 4-Star Charity GuideStar Exchange Valued Partner Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity
Follow us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Watch AHA videos on Vimeo
View AHA photos on Flickr
Watch AHA videos on YouTube
Follow us on Tumblr
+ Power and Design from Boston + Liberty Concepts +
Copyright © 2013 American Humanist Association
http://americanhumanist.org/HNN/details/2013-12-what-does-spiritual-not-religious-mean-its-complicat
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment