Comments about ‘Mississippi found most spiritual, not Utah’

this may anger many people. I grew up in Mississippi and I can say unequivocally that it is NOT as spiritual as the "Pew Research" would have you believe. There is a horrible plague on the people there. Yes, there are some amazingly spiritual people, but the incidents of hypocrisy are OFF the charts. Being "saved" is as easy as walking to the front of a congregation and saying a prayer. No further effort required. This makes it terribly easy to say you are spiritual when asked in a survey. Mississippians are good, honest and faithful people by in large, but having lived in both states I can easily say that the Mormons living faithfully are far more committed to spirituality. This is first hand knowledge. I have lived both religious styles.

If poor Mississippians valued education more and voted instead of staying at home on election day, they wouldn't have so many problems.

There's a big difference between spiritual and religious.

Utah is very religious, as is the Southern Bible Belt. But honestly, I have lived in states that are a lot more genuinely spiritual than Utah. Religious indoctrination seems to have a negative effect on true spirituality, creating much hypocrisy through a "holier than thou" attitude.

response to spiritual or religious

I disagree completely. that is an easy way to look at things. Of course if you do not have to follow some doctrine or liturgy you will be more "spiritual"...but what spirit is influencing you?

If you are a Christian, be it Mormon or Evangelical or Catholic, you cannot argue that God's house is a house of order. Only through true communication with the spirit can one know what doctrine is most correct....thus SPIRITUALITY. I would argue that those who choose to create their own moral universe or dogma are far less spiritual that those who adhere to some form of organized religion. Just because one communes with the trees and nature does not make them spiritual.

Communing with trees and nature actually does make a person spiritual.

You speak of "what doctrine is most correct." That right there sets you up as "holier than thou," and creates division, not the unity of pure spirit.

It's pretty interesting to see the correlation between the states with the lowest per capita income, the highest teen pregnancy rates and the highest rates of religious belief.

Yes, they got it right.All it takes is a prayer of repentance (Eph. 2:8-9). It's very sad to see something so simple and yet many make it so complicated thinking works and rituals can earn them a place in Heaven.

As a Christian I say, "I am saved therefore, I work; I do not work to be saved" Jesus did it all on cross for me. There's no amount of work can make up for that. I am thankful for His sacrifice.

It sounds like Utah expected to be the most spiritual? I live here, it is the most homogenious and therefore the most conforming as far as culture but faithful and religious? Hmm have you ever met a mormon?

well this article should bring the 'anti's " out to rub Utah's nose in it. They already seem to have a good start.

As a Christian.. who is LDS I also am grateful for the sacrifice that Christ made for me and for all alike.

Yes, as an LDS person I have met some Mormons or LDS and yes some are not so good... some are really great people. I expect if people are honest with themselves they can find good and bad people in any religion.

Will you stop trying to pick a fight and getting people all riled up. Comments like yours is way this comment board has become so trashy.

To anon | 11:28 p.m. Dec. 25, 2009

"Communing with trees and nature actually does make a person spiritual."

That may well be but his point was that a person who creates "their own moral universe or dogma are far less spiritual that those who adhere to some form of organized religion." That is because their belief is narcissistic and they get to pick and choose what to believe and what to reject so that 100% of what they profess is of their own choosing.

Those who adhere to some form of organized religion must forgo some of that and because of it they are more likely to be humble and in-tune with what they believe and with the spiritual things.

"You speak of "what doctrine is most correct." That right there sets you up as "holier than thou," and creates division, not the unity of pure spirit."

This proves his point. His believing that there may be one correct doctrine is somehow creating division between people and preventing unity of pure spirit. I guess he should feel ashamed for not conforming to your beliefs. To be unified he has to agree with you since you are awesome

How far from truth was the Pew research and this article. While it may be true that the answers that were given to the Pew research by the people of Mississippi, it is not gospel. I live in the South. The people may claim to go to church on Sunday, they fail to tell what they do after church. It's off to the casinos. And Mississippi is home to many casinos. Bars are open and alcohol is sold in great quantity. A NASCAR race will keep a church empty on race day. Dressing for church means putting on a tee shirt, shorts and crocs. Many people barely make it to the car before they pop the top on a can of beer, light up, and race to get out of the parking lot. the South may be the Bible belt, but the belt sure could stand to be pulled in a few notches.

I could care less about what state is "the most spiritual", I am not interested in stupid polls, I am interested in people whose actions speak much louder than their mere words. I am interested in a Christian who lives out what he claims to believe, I could care less about where such a person may live. I could care less about what professed faith he may be, there are good solid people of faith all about this country, what a silly thing to get upset and offended by such a trivial and meaningless poll. I would suggest people get less offended by the words of others and in working to make sure that their lives match the words they claim to believe and live by.

YOUR comment is pretty holier-than-thou, seriously.

I am an LDS woman who lives in Mississippi and have to say that the people here are very religious and very active in their religions. The whole town shuts down on Wednesday night. It doesn't matter what church you go to, but on Wednesday night you're going to church for choir, activities or Bible Study. No homework or sporting events on Wednesdays.

When friends are in the hospital or babies are born, meals are brought in. Christmas is still taught in the public schools.

I have lived in Florida, Utah, Idaho, Michigan, Minnesota, & Texas and I think Mississippi is doing a good job on Christianity.

There is nothing spiritual about religion in Utah.. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!! Nonetheless the mountains and Utah scenery makeup for all the lack of spirituality coming from the pompous group of Utahans.

Why on earth qould utah expect to be the most spirirual? Have you read these comment boards? There are a lot of angry mormons who do not appear to be one bit in tune with thier spirituality.

Amen, Brother BEN.

Mormons are not Christians. Look it up in any book in your library.

Whoaaaa, For sure, Utah is not spiritual. Starts at an early age there if you ask me. children learn what they live. If people are raised to be spiteful than so will their children as well be spiteful.