Funnily enough, it is for an RP thing I'm asking. I play Ruby Gamgee in another rp that's been adopted by an elf and the religious discussion is taking place at some point. I needed to decide how much Ruby would know, and whether or not I could amuse myself by having a five year old hobbit try to explain the big bang theory.

I honestly consider spiritual and religious to be the same thing, but that's probably because I'm an atheist and I've never really had to consider them deeply. It is a gap in my knowledge.

The maiar/valar etc being so solid and actually *there* does sort of mess with the religious stuff a bit. Like, there's no mention of having to sacrifice pies to Tulkas or anything.