The Arrogance of “Spiritual but Not Religious”: Ego, Tradition, and the Loss of Humility

In contemporary discourse, the phrase “I’m spiritual but not religious” has become a cultural badge. It signals independence from institutions, a rejection of dogma, and a claim to authenticity. Yet beneath this declaration often lies an unhealed ego—an ego so enamored with its own specialness that it dismisses the wisdom of elders, masters, and scholars who devoted lifetimes to spiritual study. This essay argues that the modern embrace of “spirituality without religion” frequently reflects arrogance rather than enlightenment, privileging shallow personal experience over the disciplined humility of tradition.

1. The Rise of “Spiritual but Not Religious”

- Sociological studies show a dramatic rise in those identifying as “nones”—people with no religious affiliation but who often describe themselves as spiritual.

- This trend reflects disillusionment with institutions, scandals, and perceived rigidity. Yet it also reveals a cultural shift toward privatized, individualized spirituality.

- Scholars such as Charles Taylor note that secularization has not eliminated religion but diversified ways of seeking transcendence.

2. Ego and the Illusion of Specialness

- The ego thrives on differentiation: “I am not like them; I am unique.”

- By rejecting religion wholesale, individuals often elevate themselves above centuries of saints, mystics, and theologians.

- Brook Emery warns of “spiritual arrogance,” where pride masquerades as humility.

- C.S. Lewis similarly cautioned against viewing answered prayers as proof of special favor, noting Christ’s own unanswered prayer in Gethsemane.

3. Disregard for Elders and Masters

- Traditions emphasize humility before elders. In Christianity, Paul insists that elders must be seasoned, humble, and above reproach.

- To dismiss such figures is to deny the lineage of human striving toward transcendence.

- Biblical teaching stresses that disciples are not greater than their teachers (Luke 6:40), underscoring the necessity of guidance.

- Humility in teaching, as exemplified by Moses and Paul, reflects recognition of divine sovereignty.

4. Shallow Study vs. Lifelong Devotion

- Modern seekers often engage spirituality through podcasts, Instagram quotes, or weekend retreats.

- Compare this with medieval scholars who spent decades studying scripture, philosophy, and mysticism.

- The arrogance lies in assuming equivalence—or superiority—based on brief exposure.

- As Peter van der Veer notes, modern spirituality emerged in the 19th century as a rupture from tradition, often vague and universalized.

5. The Trap of Self-Validation

- “Spiritual but not religious” often functions as a self-protective identity, shielding individuals from critique while granting an aura of depth.

- Without accountability to tradition or community, spirituality risks becoming a mirror of ego rather than a path beyond it.

- Spiritual bypassing—using spirituality to avoid emotional growth—illustrates this danger.

6. True Spirituality Requires Humility

- Genuine spirituality is marked by surrender, humility, and recognition of one’s smallness in the cosmos.

- Elders remind us that wisdom is cultivated, preserved, and transmitted.

- To ignore this is to confuse novelty with truth, and self-importance with transcendence.

7. Comparative Perspectives

- Christianity: Mystics like Teresa of Ávila emphasized humility and obedience to tradition.

- Buddhism: Lineage and transmission of Dharma are central; arrogance disrupts the path.

- Islam: Sufi masters stress annihilation of the ego (fana) as the essence of spirituality.

- Hinduism: Gurus embody the necessity of guidance; rejecting them is seen as spiritual immaturity.

8. Modern Spirituality and Academic Study

- Scholars distinguish between faith, spirituality, and religion: spirituality is inward, religion outward.

- Yet both require discipline. Fowler’s faith development theory highlights that meaning-making is a lifelong process.

- Roger Gottlieb shows how Enlightenment privatization of religion birthed modern spirituality, but warns that metaphysics without humility risks idolatry.

9. The Arrogance of Dismissing Tradition

- To claim that brief modern study surpasses centuries of scholarship is arrogance.

- Medieval academics, monks, and mystics devoted lifetimes to study, prayer, and teaching.

- Their work forms the foundation of spiritual knowledge; dismissing it reflects ignorance of history.

10. Toward a Humble Spirituality

- Authentic spirituality integrates personal experience with respect for tradition.

- It acknowledges elders, engages in disciplined study, and resists ego’s temptation to claim superiority.

- Humility, not specialness, is the mark of true spiritual maturity.

Conclusion

The phrase “spiritual but not religious” may sound enlightened, but it often conceals arrogance. By dismissing elders and traditions, modern seekers risk shallow self-validation rather than genuine transcendence. True spirituality requires humility, reverence, and acknowledgment of those who walked the path before us. The astounding irony is that authentic spirituality—whether within or beyond religion—demands the very opposite of what ego craves: surrender, not specialness.

References

- Bible.org, Essential Qualities of Elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7)

- Biblehub, Humility in Teaching

- The Witness, Qualifications for Elders: Leadership in the Church

- Litonjua, M.D., Spiritual, But Not Religious: Untangling a Seeming Paradox, JSTOR

- Emery, Brook, The Problem of Spiritual Arrogance, Cornell Review

- Unplugged Psychology, The Arrogance of Spiritual People: Exploring the Ego in Faith

- Newman, Leanne Lewis, Faith, Spirituality, and Religion: A Model for Understanding the Differences, ERIC

- Gottlieb, Roger S., Toward the Present: How Spirituality Became Modern, Oxford Academic

- Van der Veer, Peter, Spirituality in Modern Society, JSTOR