Historically, the words religious and spiritual had been used synonymously to describe various aspects of the concept and experience of participating in organized religion. Gradually, the word spiritual has become more associated with the private realm of thought and inner experience whereas; the word religious has become associated with being an active member of a religious institution. The declining membership in organized religion, especially in the western world has given rise to individuals declaring themselves to be spiritual but not religious. Some people who identify with being spiritu
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