Religious, but Not Spiritual: A Constructive Proposal

Often the debates in philosophy of religion are quite disconnected from empirical data gathered sociology religion. This is especially case regarding recent increase prominence those identifying as “spiritual but not religious” (SBNR) within an American context. In attempt to bring these two fields into productive conversation, this essay offers a constructive account SBNR terms what they reject (i.e., their status “not religious”) and also affirm identity “spiritual”). brief, suggestion that do theism or even common “religious” practices, instead particular mode “religion” grounded authoritative insular social presence. Alternatively, at least seem notion “spirituality” broadly consistent with idea found historical Christian traditions. After surveying offering new phenomenological analysis it, concludes we need category—“religious, spiritual” (RBNS)—in order best make sense how signify relation specific hermeneutic contexts sociopolitical frameworks.