Why Bernie Sanders doesn't participate in organized religion

[merrily]

47. That was at different times in my life, not currently.

Prayers can be ritualistic, but my own prayers were not. For example, I would consider the prayer of observant Muslims rituals--the floor covering, facing Mecca, praying at set time of day, etc. Same for a group saying the "Our Father in unison, if they do it whenever they convene.

I think we have to respect how people perceive and describe their own personal beliefs. "If I were to say I am religious, but I don't participate in organized religion or specific rites, I would not appreciate someone else "correcting" me.

ETA: Just looked at a dictionary definition:

re·li·gion (rĭ-lĭj′ən)

n.
1.
a. The belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers, regarded as creating and governing the universe: respect for religion.
b. A particular variety of such belief, especially when organized into a system of doctrine and practice: the world's many religions.
c. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order: a widow who went into religion and became a nun.
3. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion: a person for whom art became a religion.
Idiom:
get religion Informal
1. To become religious or devout.
2. To resolve to end one's immoral behavior.

I closed the window too quickly, but it's one of the first definitions in the Free Online Dictionary.

If a religion is defined as a belief in a supernatural power, then having such a belief is being religious.