What do you call someone who believes in God but not organized religion?

[NNN0LHI]

Because that is me.

Don

[Pathwalker]

1. Me too.

n/t

[CO Liberal]

I'd Call Them "Smart"

:-)

[beam me up scottie]

12. Oh c'mon!

That was too easy!
:evilgrin:

[CO Liberal]

22. Personally, I've Taken It One Step Further

I was raised Catholic, but left the Church 25 years ago. I now believe that there IS something out there, but it's beyond human understanding to fully comprehend it. I'm most comfortable with the New Age concept of referring to that Higher Power as either "Spirit" or "Source".

[beam me up scottie]

27. Dang,

you've given it a lot of thought.
I'm just a boring old atheist myself.

[burn the bush]

28. that was my answer

[Bombtrack]

2. me too

and I would like to know a quick way to explain that to people.

[Bouncy Ball]

3. Un-churched?

Non-churched?

Natural?

LOL!

That would be my husband. He does believe in God, but has never felt any need for organized religion. In fact, is quite turned off by it.

He likes to say "nature is God's church."

I tend to agree.

[Individualist]

4. me n/t

[glitch]

5. Spiritual. nt

[Bouncy Ball]

7. I like the term "spiritual."

It's a more effective description of me than "religious." I'm not into dogma.

[Theres-a]

32. Spirituality or religion

Religion is sitting in church thinking about fishing.Spirituality is sitting fishing thinking about god.

[MountainLaurel]

49. A bumper sticker I own

Religion is for people afraid of going to hell. Spirituality is for those who have been there.

[AllegroRondo]

6. Deist

although that term more specifically applies to someone who believes in a God, but that this God does not take an active part in the daily events of the world.

[ComerPerro]

13. I had always heard it described

As a person who believes in a god or some sort of external entity (a deity), but does not believe in a specific god or subscribe to any specific religion or dogma.

That is where I fit in.

I have also heard the "non-interference" aspect, as you mentioned, associated with deism. Sort of a "Prime Directive" approach: God will not interfere with developing worlds...

[Theres-a]

34. Nice Merton quote!

[ComerPerro]

58. Thanks, I find it to be especially relevant this past week or so

[Guaranteed]

40. Yup. nt

[KittyWampus]

45. Suppose You See God In The Natural Order & Universal Principles?

like Gravity as an aspect of "God" or Divinity.

Gravity effects us every day.

Electro-magnetism also effects us and can also be observed, studied and manipulated.

Is there a word for that.

I am sincerely interested and would greatly appreciate knowing if there's a philospohical camp.

Perhaps Pythagorean or Platonic.

[dave29]

64. Look into Pantheism.

:)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pantheism

[Maine-ah]

84. I think thats where I fall in. I never knew exactly what to call it though

I don't go for the organized religion, but I have always felt there is something out there, whether it's god, mother nature or what ever... but I think something is out there.

[TlalocW]

8. Rational?

Sane?

TlalocW

[seabeyond]

9. me too, bah hahahahaha

ya what are we called. give us a label

[Dulcinea]

10. Me!

I kind of like "spiritual."

[ComerPerro]

11. A deist, or an agnostic

[sinkingfeeling]

14. A sane individual.

[sexybomber]

15. Enlightened. (n/t)

[flvegan]

16. That's me, as well.

[OnionPatch]

17. Sane?

Organized religion is corrupt. That's what I tell people when they ask me if I attend church. The bible says "whenever two or more of you gather in my name....." it is "church." My family takes nature walks to be in "church." We talk about spirituality often, especially on these walks that bring us closer to the divine. As far as I'm concerned, this is more "church" than the gatherings of self-righteous, tax-haters I see going in those gaudy buildings on Sundays. I concede nothing to those who attend these places. I am just as Christian as they are.

[Wilber_Stool]

25. Yup.........n/t

[newblewtoo]

76. "I am just as Christian as they are."

I have said the same thing for years. Buildings an sermons do not make a church nor will going to one make you a Christian any more than going to a garage will make you a car.

[OnionPatch]

103. Welcome to DU newblewtoo!

:hi:

[sueh]

18. God believer without church affiliation. e/m

[CC]

19. My first

answer was smart, though if you need a name Deist. Either one you will get questions. I tell people organized religion is run by man and power corrupts man, therefore anything of size that offers power get corrupted. There are plenty of examples out there to make your point. Deism (n): Belief in God as revealed by nature and reason combined with a disbelief in scripture, prophets, superstition and church authority. from http://www.deism.org/frames.htm

[patcox2]

20. Confused about the difference between "belief" and "approval."

You must either believe or not when it comes to God, as there is no proof.

But organized religion does indeed exist, according to all the objective evidence.

There is no contradiction between believing in god and diliking, disapproving of, being critical of, or otherwise, as regards organized religion.

[Az]

21. At base the simplest term would be theist

Theist means simply someone that has a belief in god or gods. There is a more refined group that call themself deists. They believe there is a god but they very on definitions.

You may also wish to look into some other groups such as Pantheists and Panetheists. Each has their own nuance that may fit your situation better.

[KittyWampus]

46. Religious Fundies Screech PANTHEIST At Me When I Explain What

intelligent design is and what it is NOT.

The thought of Divinity or a Creative Potency not housed in a Sky-Person drives them over the edge.

I get flamed on by Right-wingers AND Lefties.

[Az]

48. That is actually interesting

There must have been a division or schism in the creationist movement. The ID movement is the offspring of the creationists. It seems to be little more than an attempt to throw a lab coat on the creationist agenda. But it seems to have "evolved" in new ways on its own. And like any differentiated species it is strongly rejected by its host species as tainted or dangerous.

[laylah]

23. I call myself a "Spiritual Humanist" n/t

[housewolf]

42. I like that...

"spiritual humanist"

I've never heard that term before, it's a new one to me. I like it.

[longship]

24. Deist. n/t

.

[Bryn]

26. A Free Thinker?

that's me! I do believe that something is out there, but not in any organized religions and I don't give the bible much credit as true history and infallible book. To me, many good stuff in the Bible is for teaching, not to be taken literally.

Nature is awesome.

Only love is real.

[WatchWhatISay]

29. Am I an agnostic?

I cannot dis-believe in God anymore than I can believe in him. But I hope that such a being exists, and see it as a force for good.

But I think all organized religion eventually gets corrupted by those who see it as a tool for control, and therefore it is something to be avoided.

[ridgerunner]

61. "What is an Agnostic?" by Bertrand Russell

"An agnostic thinks it impossible to know the truth in matters such as God and the future life with which Christianity and other religions are concerned. Or, if not impossible, at least impossible at the present time."

http://www.arts.cuhk.edu.hk/humftp/E-text/Russell/agnostic.htm

[RetroLounge]

30. Spiritual

Religion is for people afraid of hell.

Spirituality is for those who've already been there.

RL

[Theres-a]

35. One of my favorite sayings

[Pathwalker]

36. Oh wow! That is sooo cool!

Love it!

[Mad_Dem_X]

57. I like that!

Add me to the list for that one. I do believe there is a force greater than ourselves, and I do believe there is some sort of afterlife, but I don't subscribe to any particular religion.

[bertha katzenengel]

31. I don't know if there's a name for it.

I myself am an atheist, but I believe Jesus Christ lived and that his teaching is worthy of my attention & emulation. :shrug: I believe the same of M.K. Gandhi.

I hope you find your answers

[JohnnyRingo]

33. I'd say self-secure and mentally balanced.

I never understood why people of faith feel they have to congregate with like minded Christians in a building that demands healthy amounts of cash to maintain it's own existance.

It's true that churches can organize to accomplish civic improvement, but I doubt that's why people attend. Instead it seems many believe membership to be a passport to heaven.

[Tux]

37. Hehehe

If you believe in God(s) and the use of reason to understand spiritual matters and consider the Universe as the real word of God, you're a Deist.

Jefferson, Franklin, Washington, and Paine were Deists.

[newportdadde]

38. Sounds like your like me, a non denominational Christian

Which is like putting a steak in front of a starving man as everybody rushes to close the deal and get me to join up to their specific church.

I'll take cracking open my own bible instead of going to church and getting political propaganda etc any day of the week.

[barb162]

39. a deist n/t

[davidinalameda]

41. spiritual

that's me too

[KlatooBNikto]

43. I will call them half intelligent because they could go all the way.

[NNN0LHI]

68. All the way to where?

[KlatooBNikto]

97. I was trying to do a take off on teenage talk.

[NNN0LHI]

99. I swear I suspected that when I asked. No shit I did n/t

[Kerrytravelers]

44. Interesting question.

I've always identified myself on this board as Catholic. However, I haven't been to Mass in a very long time (except during the death of JPII) and really have no calling to go back anytime soon.

I often identify myself as spiritual, but not singularly religious as I feel all religions have a spiritual connection. A multitude of religions share many of the same stories (beginning of the world, a great flood, prodigal son, etc.) I like the feeling that we're all connected, whether you practice a religion or not, at a spiritual level. That is why I consider myself spiritual.

[ellenfl]

47. i saw one of the kennedy clan on 'politically incorrect'

a fews years back and he called himself a 'recovering catholic'. i thought that appropriate.

if i believed in a deity, i would probably call myself a 'spiritualist'. that would also be my answer if asked if i drink spirits. :evilgrin: :toast:

ellen fl :woohoo: :woohoo:

[Blue Belle]

56. I've been a Recovering Catholic for 15 years...

I think I get some sort of pin or something dont I?? :-)

I believe that there is a God... but I don't think that one religion or Political Party owns the rights to the divine.

[Name removed]

50. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Lugnut]

51. That would be me

I believe in a higher power even if I don't have a definition for what it is. I don't feel the need for an organzation.

I like "spiritual" but I'm not into labels very much either.

[garybeck]

52. "right"

it never fails, orgainized religion starts out with good intentions but over time it just becomes misguided and loses its focus.

I am with you. I believe in God. In most cases I find huge gaps between the scriptures and the current teachings.

I wrote a book a few years about about this, and also how most of the religions agree on most things, if you wipe out all the politics and manipulations and just focus on the original core teachings. you can check it out here:

http://theharmonyinstitute.org/book

I can arrange discounts for any DUers who want to check it out. Just drop me an email at gary(at)theharmonyinstitute.org

I think most people would be surprised at how many democrats consider themselves to be spiritual or religious (in the way you describe). the other side likes to make us all out as heathens and non-believers.

gary

[enki23]

53. i don't believe in god, but i definitely believe in organized religion

and it, mostly, scares the hell out of me.

[leftofthedial]

54. halfway there

[NNN0LHI]

59. Halfway to where?

[leftofthedial]

71. depends on which way you're going

[NNN0LHI]

73. "depends on which way you're going" ? I am really confused now

Are you suggesting that I am going somewhere I don't want to go because I choose not belong to some form of organized religion?

Don

[leftofthedial]

79. no

I'm suggesting that you are somewhere in between two polar opposites.

It's not an attack. I don't know what the name is for you. Do you believe in God, Jesus . . . ?

Lots of people I know who describe themselves as believing in God do not believe in the Bible at all.



edit: I can't type a goddamn lick anymore.

[NNN0LHI]

80. I said I do believe in God

My God may not be the same God as you or someone else envisions though. I also believe there was a man called Jesus. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the idea that Jesus was born from Immaculate Conception though. Same goes for the arose from the dead stuff.

As for the bible, I have read it but I do not take everything written in it literally. But if someone else does, I have no problem with that.

As for those who believe in God but do not believe in the Bible at all, I say that is fine with me. It is no skin off my nose what the next person wishes to believe.

And I don't feel myself caught between two polar opposites either. I actually feel at peace with my beliefs.

And I bet my typing is worse than yours.

Don

[leftofthedial]

81. I'm an atheist

I don't believe in any of that stuff.

By "between two polar opposites," I don't mean to imply that you should be uncomfortable with your beliefs. I just think that on one side, the organized religion folks would try to convert you and on the other, the atheists would wonder what "god" you believe in and why.

[Sapphire Blue]

55. A believer in what is, without putting a psychotic or primitive spin on it

[eaglenetsupport]

60. Christian Democrat

[Roland99]

62. Deist...spiritual...faithful.

[Paranoid_Portlander]

63. Albert Einstein.

.

[Lindacooks]

65. Religion is to God as a clock is to time.

My favorite quotation.

[Theres-a]

69. That's really cool!

[Lindacooks]

70. Yup, I think so too.

It's a phrase that has more and more meaning the more you think about it.

[Auntie Bush]

66. I consider myself a Spiritualist!

I believe in God...Period! I believe in living a good , kind, honest compassionate life and caring for nature. I believe there is some kind of life after death and no one knows what that is. I don't like ANY religious affiliation and actively disapprove of them ALL. They are ALL greedy, lying, controlling, power hungry organizations. However, I respect them for the good deeds that they do.

[dave29]

67. NNNOLHI - read Thomas Paine.

I would highly recommend reading the works of Thomas Paine. He was one of the first Deists - and also one of the reasons for the American Revolution. He started out with the church, and wound up being attacked and destroyed by it for daring to stand up to it's doctrines - using mere "reason".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Paine

A proto-anarchist, Paine advocated a liberal world view, considered radical for his time. He dismissed royalty, and viewed all government as, at best, a necessary evil. He opposed slavery and was amongst the earliest proponents of social security, universal free public education, guaranteed minimum wages and many other radical ideas now in common practice in most western democracies.

and a quote:

"The opinions I have advanced… are the effect of the most clear and long-established conviction that the Bible and the Testament are impositions upon the world, that the fall of man, the account of Jesus Christ being the Son of God, and of his dying to appease the wrath of God, and of salvation by that strange means, are all fabulous inventions, dishonorable to the wisdom and power of the Almighty; that the only true religion is Deism, by which I then meant, and mean now, the belief of one God, and an imitation of his moral character, or the practice of what are called moral virtues—and that it was upon this only (so far as religion is concerned) that I rested all my hopes of happiness hereafter. So say I now—and so help me God.

[Dorian Gray]

72. Deist? N/T

[bobthedrummer]

74. That's me.

[Zhade]

75. A free thinker who thinks differently from me.

And generally an awesome person, because I feel that organized religion sucks the spirutality out of people (but that's just my opinion).

[Horse with no Name]

77. Spiritually pure Christian. n/t

[spanone]

78. Me. Religion only uses God to sell their product which I'll have none of.

[Just Me]

82. I guess it depends upon how you perceive God.

:shrug:

I believe in a higher power (whatever named) of which we are all a part. I don't believe in an external God that manipulates the goings ons.

I've been called a deist, a theist, a new age spiritualist. :P

I also don't believe any religion has everything completely right and that they often smother individuals' capacity to develop spiritually.

[LittleClarkie]

83. There was a book out there somewhere

(quick google)

http://www.covenantbookstore.com/howtobechwib.html

called "How to be a Christian Without Being "Religious".

I don't know that it has a formal name. Perhaps "non-practicing".

One of my old pastors said, when he met someone who didn't go to church because it was full of hypocrites, "Come on in, there's room for one more."

Not calling you a hypocrite. I just liked smartass comebacks.

Why do you not believe in organized religion? What bugs you specifically?

A friend of mine felt as you do, and called himself agnostic. That's NOT it. Agnostics believe that there is a force in the heavens, but that it is unknowable, and that the Bible is the work of man.

[NNN0LHI]

86. Nothing bugs me about organized religions. I just don't believe in them

The reason I don't believe in organized religion is because it is my right not to. If the next person does believe in organized religion I say to them party on.

Don

[LittleClarkie]

88. Why don't you believe in organized religion?

I'm just asking because it would help in determining the answer you're seeking.

Otherwise, I don't understand your answer. Surely there is a reasoning that goes beyond "because I can."

[NNN0LHI]

90. Persistent little bugger, ain't ya?

[LittleClarkie]

92. Yep.

.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

95. "Faith is about Belief, Religion is about Control"

I love that quote - I heard it for the first time a couple of weeks ago on an NPR Jefferson Hour show, I can give no attribution, but it just states so beautifully what I myself believe.

I could also offer you the term "Quietism" which I learned about from a great book I am reading right now called FROM DAWN TO DECADENCE by Jacques Barzun. This is a school of religious thought that arose in the reign of Louis the XIV. It was associated with a Mme Guyon, a "mystic" who called Quietism the "religion of pure piety , free of ritual and clergy". That's for me!!! Don't you just love the term "quietism"?

I am waiting for the first politico who says " My faith and personal beliefs are a private matter. Next question."

[Wizard777]

85. The term you are looking for is solitary practioner

As represented by the Hermit holding his staff and lifting his latern in his eternal search for truth. If you chose what you believe then are the Heretic. God's gift of Freewill and the freedom of choice it provides is what the church calls Heresey. Under old cannon law and the Maleus Malificarum it is a crime punishable by execution. They have yet to learn that you cannot unring a bell or unbite and apple. You cannot unlearn what you know. At best you can drink the waters of the River Lieth and forever forget. But that a little to close to Hades for me.

[ProfessorGAC]

87. I'd Call Them, Pretty Normal

I think that constitutes a pretty high percentage of believers. Just a guess. I've got no data, but i've been hearing that sentiment for many, many years. You're probably in pretty heavy company. I mean, weren't most of the founders deists? Isn't that what you're describing?

The Professor

[Joey Liberal]

89. A Unitarian?

I feel the same way.

[hippiegranny]

91. an anti-dogmatist?

Me, I just worship at the altar of Mother Nature. That is as close to a feeling of "God" as it gets for me. I do believe in a higher power, but I think it is more about the energy that exists within each person. Some have more than others. Some people simply are more evolved and they have a greater power or light or whatever.

[Stinky The Clown]

93. I call such a person ..... ME

[sweetheart]

94. "Disenfranchised"

As without organized religion, your collective voice has no political
power to swing voters, and thus, those who are not in organized
religion are not considered worth catering to.

The system is designed to disenfranchise those without churches.

[orpupilofnature57]

96. orpupilofnature57

And like Ive said,I'd rather get my balls busted here on DU ,than feel content with shrubs!

[LSK]

98. me! - its called agnostic??? nt

[LittleClarkie]

100. Not necessarily

He doesn't say he doesn't believe in the Bible anything else about Christianity, just not the church.

Agnostics feel there is a higher power out there, but that he/she/it is unknowable. Agnostics = the big shrug.

[Name removed]

101. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[toddaa]

102. The Pantheist Credo

From the World Pantheist Movement. http://www.pantheism.net/

1. We revere and celebrate the Universe as the totality of being, past, present and future. It is self-organizing, ever-evolving and inexhaustibly diverse. Its overwhelming power, beauty and fundamental mystery compel the deepest human reverence and wonder.

2. All matter, energy, and life are an interconnected unity of which we are an inseparable part. We rejoice in our existence and seek to participate ever more deeply in this unity through knowledge, celebration, meditation, empathy, love, ethical action and art.

3. We are an integral part of Nature, which we should cherish, revere and preserve in all its magnificent beauty and diversity. We should strive to live in harmony with Nature locally and globally. We acknowledge the inherent value of all life, human and non-human, and strive to treat all living beings with compassion and respect.

4. All humans are equal centers of awareness of the Universe and nature, and all deserve a life of equal dignity and mutual respect. To this end we support and work towards freedom, democracy, justice, and non-discrimination, and a world community based on peace, sustainable ways of life, full respect for human rights and an end to poverty.

5. There is a single kind of substance, energy/matter, which is vibrant and infinitely creative in all its forms. Body and mind are indivisibly united.

6. We see death as the return to nature of our elements, and the end of our existence as individuals. The forms of "afterlife" available to humans are natural ones, in the natural world. Our actions, our ideas and memories of us live on, according to what we do in our lives. Our genes live on in our families, and our elements are endlessly recycled in nature.

7. We honor reality, and keep our minds open to the evidence of the senses and of science's unending quest for deeper understanding. These are our best means of coming to know the Universe, and on them we base our aesthetic and religious feelings about reality.

8. Every individual has direct access through perception, emotion and meditation to ultimate reality, which is the Universe and Nature. There is no need for mediation by priests, gurus or revealed scriptures.

9. We uphold the separation of religion and state, and the universal human right of freedom of religion. We recognize the freedom of all pantheists to express and celebrate their beliefs, as individuals or in groups, in any non-harmful ritual, symbol or vocabulary that is meaningful to them.

[NNN0LHI]

104. Here is Kurt Vonnegut's shortened up version of "The Pantheist Credo"

When Kilgore Trout found graffiti asking "what is the purpose of life," he quickly searches for something to write with so that he may reply:

"to be the eyes and ears and conscience of the creator of the universe, you fool"

-- "Breakfast of Champions." --

This dichotomy demonstrates the divisions in modern spiritual beliefs that exist only in ignorance, and when applied to logic and reason, can achieve unity.

Don

[orpupilofnature57]

107. Vonnegut a true metaphysic genius!!!

[sendero]

105. I don't know, but I'm one...

... too.

I can't bring myself to believe this was all a cosmic accident, but the religions I've been exposed to so far haven't provided any alternative. They all look like the works, hopes and fears of man superimposed on "god".

No thanks.

[Is It Fascism Yet]

106. Correct. I call them correct. n/t

[kodi]

108. wise.

.