is a 'spiritual' approach to life any better for our mental and emotional well-being than being part of an organised religion?
At this stage of human social evolution, perhaps. It can provide a moderating effect, and a healthful effect (when the specific views examined happen to be inclusive on the one hand, life-affirming on the other). It can be a religion of one, IMO the best kind, and free of dogma or the need for bureaucratic self-perpetuation. For me personally, yes - it's better. More freedom, more ability to express myself, more options to love.
There are always individuals at the leading curve of development. Perhaps evolution of our thinking will bring us all to an absence of linking experience to beliefs, and any sort of personal belief will be unnecessary to tap into the experience of being fully supported, or appreciated, or loved, or whatever "God" offers on tap to the individual believing. Perhaps evolution of our society will bring us all to having the experience of being fully supported, etc., because we will get that from the actual flesh and blood people in our lives, obviating the need to find it in "God".
For this slightly less evolved human, the belief in a spiritual realm gives my imagination a context and my body an experience that adds to my life. I think my kind will eventually die out, though. When we realize the kind of society that provides for individuals as "Bible God" is supposed to, perhaps.
For as long as this erroneous view is held, its adherents will be held fast to the bedrock of ignorance and fallacy to which all organised religions are securely attached.
Not quite. The religion of one is most open to flexibility and change, and has less need to self-perpetuate. It is more easily disposed of when no longer needed. It is less dogmatic, and usually has fewer mandates. It is free from the mandates and changes of other people. Is it true freedom from superstition? No...but it's better than organized religion. And it is more informed, even if only by the flimsy skeleton of personal experience.
To the ‘spiritual’ man or woman who has left the Kingdom Hall behind I say this, your journey is not yet over. For as long as you hold onto your ‘spirituality’ you can continue to call believers of all other faiths your ‘brothers’ – yes, even the Muslim extremist and the Jehovah’s Witnesses you left behind.
For me, it is my "spirituallity" that lets me call all men "brothers". But I feel closest to my unbelieving brothers.
The ravings of a godless atheist? Rather that than the delusions of ‘spirituality’.
Perhaps one day I will grow to the point where I have no "need" to believe in this "love without desire" that brings me a sense of connection to the world around me. Until then, I will continue with this belief in the intangible fallacy that seems to bind me to existence - and compels me only to be whatever it is that I am.
