Well said!!

Yes be free!!! Use any word to mean anything you want!! But don’t expect us who respect the use of correct language to accept what you say, let alone understand it!!

@Rodatheist Then you can see that as the downside to freedom of speech. Not everyone is as perfect as you seem to be.

@evergreen Perfection is an asymptotic goal to which some of us aspire with quotidian fervor.

I take it that you have not checked the dictionary either.

@Rodatheist the dictionary records words that are commonly used... There are many slang words in the dictionary that were commonly used before being in the dictionary... New words and definitions are added with every new edition.. The origin of many of the words come from the people... It's only a recording device...

@Cutiebeauty When slang is widely used, it becomes part of the general convention and is inserted in the dictionary. The word “Spiritual” has precise meanings in the dictionary. All other uses of the word are slang and they have not been widely accepted yet, leading to confusion and imprecise communication. You can dismiss the dictionary, but you do so at the peril of your own general culture and education. The dictionary is not just a recording device, it is the contract we all subscribe to in order to communicate clearly and precisely. Being in this forum, don’t you expect members to communicate to you in a way that is clear and don’t lead you in a wild chase for meanings that are not?

@Rodatheist OK, from what you wrote here, it seems as though you agree with exactly what I said.. If the definition of spiritual, used in this thread, becomes common, then it will be added to the other definitions of spiritual...

@Cutiebeauty Exactly, so you see, it is not just a recording device. If a term becomes part of the agreement and I don’t know it, the dictionary will help me keep current with my fellow speakers.

Nothing is more stupid than considering Atheism a religion.. God help us .. lol.

I got a nice reply for a comment earlier. I read your remark again . ( Numerous times now). You Sir/ Madam. ( Gender. Must respect.bzzz). Is hilarious. To think people take Atheism to somewhere that is offensive to the general subscribers. Surely noone can be that ... Well. Lost.... I felt Tucker Carlsons revulsion once . An actual Atheists society.. ( wankers) . Wanted a cross removed.. Why.. ? The aforementioned wanking . . I guess..

Don't let any Romans come over then!

@creative51 Then they are neighbors. Or zombies.

@creative51

Your use of a great pun has not gone unnoticed.. It doesn't matter how many virtue signalling , self absorbed beings continue to try & make it so.... Words do not equal violence..

Paganism is not a religion. The word Pagan was used by Christians in a derogatory way to describe those not following the Christian religion and is derived from the Roman term for countryman or villager, although they probably did practise some form of animist religion.

@Moravian @BohoHeathen I'm using dictionary terms here: [google.com]

@RavenCT As Bohoheathen says it is a very general term and since it was first coined by Christians I prefer the original meaning of countrydweller or villager so I am a Pagan Yippee !!

@Moravian Um I'm not going to argue semantics except to say - would you say that about Catholicism? lol

@RavenCT Since you used a capital C I presume you are referring to the Roman Catholic church which is definitely a religious organisation.

@Moravian Widely accepted definitions - which don't just imply but state - religion.

Also that was a capital P I used in Paganism... in case you couldn't tell.

Sadly humans will consult the dictionary when puzzled. (Particularly humans who worked for a Newspaper.). We take language seriously.

@RavenCT I'm not trying to pick a fight with you and agree that language should be taken seriously.
I intensely dislike the Roman Catholic church and all it stands for and always like to give the organisation it's proper title.

@Moravian There's only one kind of Catholicism. I was raised in it. I know.

@RavenCT [catholiceducation.org]

Well they would say that wouldn't they but of course they do not have a monopoly.

@Moravian If you're going to go to alt resources you will find alternate meanings - once again I'm using a standard dictionary.
Language can be imprecise enough without shading it at every turn.

I must admit I used to be one of them. Not so bad that I condemned christmas but I did have a verile, agressive attitiude towards relgion as a reuslt of being exposed to its horrors. A knee jerk reaction if you will. However I realised that to be better than them means not acting like them. I did not want my atheism to become a religion.

Also attacking christmas seems a bit daft. Most people it would appear don't care about the religious side of it. I loved Christmas as a kid, I would not want to take that away from them. I might however neglect to mention its real origins!!!!!!

I personally don’t like bible verses quoted to myself, so I try and be as respectable as possible, but still honest with my feelings. I still love the winter solstice aka Christmas and celebrate it with my family. Religion is not a part of my life and having good relationships with friends and family is far more important. I may discuss or joke about religion or religious beliefs with other atheists, but I’d never attack anyone or make fun of their faith. I personally feel that atheists get attacked more by people with religious beliefs. The only issue I have is when people try and incorporate their religious beliefs into politics. I support separation of church and state. Other than that, I generally live a happy life free from religion.

@Chomyn Yes that is very true. Atheists do get alot of hate from Christians of every stripe. I personally have little contact with the believers. ( Lucky)
To make sense of the madness myself. I put the puritanical or evangalistic type into the . " They no not what they do " box. Without verbally or physically hurting anyone . I treat them as I would a down syndrome person. Respect them , wipe their chin occasionally. But never go out of my way to prove a negative.. It's needless & achieves nothing.

A Dream catcher is a spiritual piece of string art.. Especially when doused in insence..
Spiritual can be used to convey something beyond our physical understanding. IE: " I get a spiritual feeling laying on my back looking at a star filled night . Hairs on your arms rise up as the rain starts. Thunder lightning, an embrace from a lover , emotional. Once Spiritual or spirituality gets the S word stigma. .
Point of personal privilege... We're doomed..

@BohoHeathen i can see how that word could be used that way, but i never would, personally. i was extremely religious until adulthood though, and the connotations around words like that put me off.