Sr. Theresa Aletheia Noble on Catholic Practices for the "Spiritual but not Religious"

"As most of you know, there are a growing number of people who have begun to identify as 'spiritual but not religious.' I have always suspected that this phrase really covers a diverse group of people, some who are closer to agnosticism but don't want to admit it, and others who practice a faith periodically but don't want to identify with it too closely.

"I have also anecdotally believed that the phrase 'spiritual but not religious' is rarely used by people who actually implement many spiritual practices in their lives. But I think that the people who use the phrase genuinely want to be more spiritual, which is why they use it. The phrase simultaneously communicates an alienation from God (exhibited in a detachment from most spiritual practices) and a genuine desire to be in relationship with him.

"I recently read an interesting study conducted a few years ago by a sociologist of religion, Nancy Ammerman, which confirmed this. Her study found that most of the people who are 'spiritual' depend very much on religious traditions and practices. In fact, she found that the people who were 'most active in organized religion were also the most committed to spiritual practices and a spiritual view of the world.' She also discovered that 'the people with the most robust sense of sacred presence are those who participate in religious activities that allow for conversation and relationship.'

"In other words, it would seem that the 'spiritual' in 'spiritual but not religious' is actually quite dependent on participation in a religious tradition."

In a recent commentary, Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble, F.S.P., reflected on some Catholic practices that could help persons who are searching for more spirituality in their lives..

To access Sister Theresa'a complete post, please visit:

Aleteia: 3 Catholic practices for the "spiritual but not religious" (26 JUL 16)