A recent article in Parade Magazine, “How Spiritual Are We?” was very thought provoking. While reading it, I considered my responses to the questions. I also reflected on how most of the members of the Henge would address this subject as a group.

The first question in the poll was particularly challenging to contemplate. Do I consider myself religious or do I consider myself “not religious but spiritual.” The article explained that the phrase meant different things to different people. Some folks wanted to signal they weren’t dogmatic or rigid in their belief and practice. Others indicated that “spiritual” applied to people who combined diverse beliefs into a personal faith that fits no standard definition. Wow – Those were different ends of the spectrum. My conclusion is that I, along with many in the Henge, probably fit both.

Follow-up questions regarding Religious verses Spiritual not addressed by the poll are interesting as well. I might ask, “Why do you consider yourself religious or spiritual?” Why do you believe you are more spiritual than religious? Certainly the pollsters try to get at some of those issues with questions such as, “How often do you attend religious services?” and “How often do you pray?”; however, they really don’t ask anything about Spirituality. I would ask more about how do people relate with various spirits, be it Nature Spirits, Ancestors, or Gods.

I now ask all our members, “Are you religious? If so, how do your define it?” Do others consider you as such? Are you spiritual? If so, how do you define it? What spirits do you have relations with and how does it manifest?

I’ll set up a survey/poll on the Keltria List (if you are not a member of the list just send an e-mail to Keltria-L-subscribe@yahoogroups.com). If you don’t have internet access, please drop your responses to the five questions to me via US mail at the Henge Office.