How often have you heard someone remark that another individual is “a very religious person?”

What does that really mean? We often refer to people as “religious” simply because they fulfill the outward, material requirements of their faith. They follow the traditions and participate, perhaps scrupulously, in the rituals prescribed by their respective creeds. These actions, however, can occur without deep inner devotion or belief–but does following rituals and traditions speak of their true spirituality?

Many Christians attend church every Sunday, and many Jews go to synagogue every Saturday. Lots of Muslims, Hindus, and Jews keep their dietary laws. But not all of them do it out of love for their Lord. Sometimes their actions have very practical reasons. For some they provide a sense of identity, for others, attending services looks good; it paints a picture of respectability; they keep up appearances to obtain credibility and standing in the community.

None of these reasons indicate that the individual is in fact spiritually oriented. They might simultaneously, in practice, be ruthless businessman, corrupt politicians, members of organized crime groups, thieves or adulterers.

One can be religious without being spiritual. People who don’t consider themselves religious, who are not affiliated with any specific religious group or who do belong but are not actively involved, can still be considered spiritual due to the way they conduct their lives, and their belief in and connection to a higher ultimate authority or deity.

Many religions of the world prompt people to be devout but they are sadly misguided. I think of religious people who are devoted to public worship, consistent prayer, good deeds—people who are conscious of detail in their religious practices. This type of person may think he is doing well and pleasing God but if his faith is in the wrong place all of his effort and devotion count for nothing.