The correct answer is here

http://drratansaini.instablogs.com/entry/why-people-call-themselves-as-spiritual-but-not-religious/#comment-510179

It is because the most of the religions today are run by people who are not spiritual and thus the purpose of religion has been defeated.

Initially when the Spiritual Person initiated the religion, through his direct communication with the Supreme Lord, gave true guidance, as how one can follow the path of devotion to meet the Supreme Lord!!

Later after they departed from this world, non spiritual people took over the religion and thus spirituality and purity of purpose lost in misunderstanding, mistakes and confusion.

Public at large now find no spiritual benefit from religion and thus found it to be non spiritual.

Finally, one should understand that no spiritual development is possible with any religion until there is a living spiritual leader who is guiding the people as how one should live and practice the spiritual activities on day to day basis.

Very true Lily. Religion has been distorted from what it was originally meant for. Pweople are using the garb of religion to meet their selfish motives. For that matter I wonder how many people pray God with pure love for the Supreme being...God these days is only a wish materialisng machine.

Religion lead to Ultimate Spirituality and that is Pure Happiness and Peace.

Yes Dr. I really feel the time has come for the world to understand the essence of any religion and rather form a conceptual universal religion of happiness and peace.

Let me just add one bit, Leena. Religions themselves have created their own wars with one another. It’s like having the same thing, only refuted many times over by the rest.

And when you look closely, what they are at odds against are not the basic vision and mission (because these are universal), but arguments within tenets, protocols, rituals, forms, etc.

Each religion wants to become the world’s moral arbiter.

Arguments with tenets protocols, rituals, forms- so very very superficial Grace. When will people understand the true purpose of any religion i.e the basic vision and mission of universal brotherhood? When will they understand God is one and we are just calling him by different names? I think a true follower of any religion will respect all others. The people who are creating chaos in the name of religion are only wearing a garb of religion to fulfill their selfish, greedy and dangerous motives

Even a child which hasn’t been told that something called God exists and something called Religion asks you to do something, is more affectionate and kind than religious monsters. Expecting people who are into religions to respect human lives is unrealistic.

What exactly is religion, can someone define? Each religion CLAIMS to preach values like love, honesty, hard work, justice etc which are necessary for a peaceful community. Now, why do we need a religion to tell us to be honest, not kill your neighbor, rape someone.. You don’t need a religion.. Respect for your fellow human being is enough.. Religion only breeds violence even if it means well. It is safer to be non religious than kill each other. And talking about god, I have nothing to say... That is something that really bores me. How many millions are spent in the name of propagating the ’god’s word.. What if you used that money to provide food for the malnourished.. Why do we need religion at all.. And god is something that nobody can ever know or find out about. We can neither prove nor disprove the existence of god.. Those who claim to know or have felt ’God’ only lie.. If god really does exist, then he/she doesn’t seem to be very interested in the affairs of human beings.. So, the question is really academic as someone said. Worrying about religion and god is futile and a waste of human blood and sweat.

Since almost all religions preach similar ideals, why give them different names.. Just say you are a humanist.. Humanism can solve so many problems beginning with religious fundamentalism.

You have worded my thoughts. That’s what I meant to say. The kindness of a child, respect for fellow human beings, providing food and nourishment to the poor and needy and a million such humanitarian activities belong to the universal religion of humanity that I believe in. And God according to me is my conscience that directs me in adhering to my values. I think all wars will end if people follow this universal religion.

I’m glad I could do so Leena. Your ’God’ sounds like Freud’s Super Ego.. Humanism is the answer to all our problems.. And it is quite economical too! No need to build grand places of worship nor have expensive festivals and give room to more commercialism..