Learn how to tell the difference between religion and spirituality. Most people dont really find religion; rather, its programmed into them from either a very early age or from a vulnerable place. This is understandable in that all religions wish to preserve the essence of their teachings so they may be accurately transmitted through history. Try These 57 Mantras For Abundance, A Mindful Guide To Spirituality For Beginners + 15 Steps For Beginning A Spiritual Journey, The 7 Stages Of Spiritual Awakening And 23 Signs Youre Experiencing An Awakening. Were encouraged to find the truth within ourselves. However, spirituality encourages people to focus their energy on positive things and to act based solely on love. Comment below! It suggests that those with strongly held convictions in their Christian faith, or who held no-religious belief, strengthened belief in their positions following the pandemic's onset. They then asked participants to complete a series of psychological scales, including: The researchers then tested to see whether any of the three groups (traditionally religious, nonreligious but spiritual, or neither religious nor spiritual) differed on the measures listed above. This is a principle of cause and effect where one's actions or intentions have a direct impact on their future. For example, one national survey found that about 65% of Americans label themselves "religious and spiritual" 15 to 20% of Americans call themselves "spiritual but not religious" In the recognition that pure spirit is a unifying force, no one is left out. On the other hand, religious people typically rely on some form of organized religion or institution. This is very harmful to both self and society. A way to practice both in a healthy manner will take some adjustment. That is to say, belief in something based upon unconditional acceptance of the religions teachings. Spirituality embraces change and the evolution of consciousness. Religion: By definition, religion is a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices; the service and worship of God or the supernatural. By Sofia Stewart Updated on Feb 11, 2023. Each person's own definition of spirituality can vary throughout their lifetime, adapting to individual experiences through personal study and self-reflection. For a religious person, the concept of God is predetermined, named, and comes with an established method of how to worship that God. Regular community service can serve as a buffer against the effects of stress, thus leading to longer lives. Provide moral guidelines by which to live. Spirituality embraces a consciousness-based worldview that supports all human beings on their path to awakening in unconditional love and kindness. In seeking the divinewhether from a church pew on a Sunday or on top of a ridge looking at a glorious sunrisewe increase our feelings of happiness, peace, and appreciation for the life that we have. In this case, wisdom means a deep and integrated knowing that is expressed through how we live our lives. Spiritual people are more flexible in their beliefs and often draw from multiple teachings and practices to create what works best for them. For example, they may believe in God while asking for positive energy through their journey of self-discovering. Are you a spiritual person or a religious person? What It Means To Be A Spiritual Person Vs. A Religious Person, What 'Spiritual Healing' Really Means And How To Start Your Journey, 7 Reasons Why So Many Spiritual People Refuse To Call Themselves 'Religious', The Spiritual Habit That Keeps Couples Energetically-Connected (And Happy!) Sadly, this religious in-group mentality can be used to justify the exclusion of minorities or those deemed unworthy of Gods favor. We spend hundreds of hours every month writing, editing and managing this website. 2023 Oldtown Publishing LLC 479 State Route 17 N Sure, I can understand why people either hate religion or elevate spirituality (and vice versa), but Im not interested in perpetuating division our world has enough of that already. Nothing is totally black and white. Religious people lean on gathering with others, to reach a unison connection with God, but spirituality develops their own belief system. Yes, someone can be both spiritual and religious. Spirituality also fosters a sense of interconnectedness with things beyond what we can see and touch. From the early 1940s through the 1960s, people in their 40s and 50s reported attending at least as frequently as those over 60. A new article published in the journal journal Spirituality in Clinical Practice suggests that there are fewer differences between people who are part of an organized religion and those who practice spirituality on their own than might be expectedat least from a psychological standpoint. For example, while Christians may focus on the story of Moses and the 10 Commandments in detail, someone who is spiritual may take away some broader messages from the story, such as being grateful for the things in one's life or always being honest. It has caused wars and major conflict between ecocentric groups and countries. (Traditionally religious people scored highest.) | The recognized authorities of the religious group reinforce or communicate changes regarding the ideologies for members of the religious group to follow. With spiritual practice, ideas and interpretations change as individuals, societies, and the world move forward. So, what is the difference between a spiritual person and a religious person? Please consult your doctor before taking any action. Their beliefs, which are often transcendental, are passed on from members to converts, and are based on either a formally documented creed or established cultural practices. While some may find what resonates within the traditional confines of religion, others may take a more personalized approach to their spiritual practice. They found that both traditionally religious and nonreligious but spiritual individuals scored higher on measures of life satisfaction than nonreligious/non-spiritual individuals. Start here . Spiritual Experience; The foundation of religion is faith. Thats where my experience, reflections, and discoveries can help. Spirituality doesn't make distinctions of that sort. Iconic singer David Bowie famously described spirituality vs religion in the following brilliantly irreverent way: Religion is for people whore afraid of going to hell. Spiritual Experience. 1. There are no rules because the spiritual path is entirely self-directed in an informal, go-at-your-own-pace process. Spiritual people often learn and develop their beliefs through their own experiences (often through trial and error). Final Thoughts on the Differences Between Religion and Spirituality. WebSome non-religious people can be thought of as spiritual but not religious (SBNR). Religious teachings are usually based on what has been passed down through scriptures, religious scrolls, and books or what religious leaders teach. Others seek the meaning of life through their connections to nature or art. According to Pew Research Center, about 27% of U.S. adults consider themselves as spiritual but unaffiliated with any traditional religious group, demonstrating an increase of 8% in just the past 5 years.. Knowing what you value will help you build the most meaningful life possible. We respect all Whadjuk Elders both past and present, and any First Nations people. The fear of punishment for one's actions is often a principle factor in religion. When it comes to the religion vs. spirituality debate, neither is inherently good or bad. Zhang, H. (Interview) Spirituality, not organized religion, may be the key to finding meaning in life. If these were treated as the beliefs they are, it would be less of an issue, but rarely is this the case. Partisan differences are somewhat muted. Both can enrich or demoralize our human experience. Are you a spiritual traveler? I often straddle the line between religiosity and spirituality knowing that each has its own strengths and weaknesses. There is a lot of beauty and depth in both religion and spirituality, and before we throw the baby out with the bathwater, I want to offer you, dear spiritual sojourner, some food for thought; something to meditate upon and contemplate. That is to say, Religious people score much higher on those they view [them] as much more relevant for being moral compared to the disbelievers." Total Well-being Teacher and Coaching Certification. Whereas within religion, self-sacrifice, devotion, and service to others support us in feeling like we have a mission or greater purpose. As a survivor of fundamentalist religious abuse, her mission is to help others find love, strength, and inner light in even the darkest places. Spirituality is a part of humanity thats seeking a purpose in life. Individual vs. Group Beliefs. Spirituality: Spirituality makes no such distinctions. Religion: At its core, religion is about faith. Religion emphasizes the content of followers' beliefs and how those beliefs play out in their everyday lives. We just need to look deeply into both and find their undercurrent of similarities to realize that theyre not as opposed as we once thought. Spirituality vs Religion #1 Personal / Community-oriented While spirituality focuses on the personal connection with the Divine, religion encourages a community But spirituality doesnt aim to please a specific God; rather, it focuses on interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships. Its more of an internal journey that helps you develop your own personal truths that may not necessarily be aligned with what has been taught through a particular faith or religion. Everyone has their own unique path, so if you dont feel called to invite spirituality or religion into your life, that is totally okay. Spirituality (or mysticism), on the other hand, is something people discover and can choose to embrace or not. The Chopra Renew & Restore Detox Kit is a gentle and effective 7-Day cleanse rooted in the wisdom of Ayurveda and backed by science. Help people find meaning and purpose in life. A third omission is that of the dishonesty and self-deception found within both of these groupthink systems. Belief vs. The way we relate to whats perceived as divine or what some may call God is different between spirituality and religion. It is primarily concerned with finding, experiencing, and embodying ones true spiritual nature. Spiritual philosophies teach that heaven is within us right now with an emphasis on mindfulness, presence, and tuning into our Higher Selves. There are pretty much no rules at all in the realm of spirituality (other than unspoken codes of conduct like no killing, no stealing, etc.). Religion is faith. Spirituality: By comparison, spirituality is often less focused on the rigidly traditional approach and often favors an evolutionary mentality. Feeling lost, confused, or alone? Conversely, there can be individuals who are devoutly religious but are not what most would consider deeply spiritual. Acceptance and surrender to the divine are taught as the path that leads to ultimate salvation. Religion generally involves participation in organized rituals such as prayer or meditation and attending services at places of worship. Spirituality is a solitary experience of the divine, while religion involves a group of people brought together by their common faith or beliefs about the divine. In contrast, the majority (56%) of Americans who are neither spiritual nor religious are men, while about four in ten (44%) are women. A spiritual person cares about people, animals and the planet. The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; not will they say Here it is or There it is, because the kingdom of God is within you. And yet, regardless of where we stand as a species, we all have an innate drive to seek something higher and greater than ourselves whether that be God, Enlightened Consciousness, our next-and-best consumerist purchase, or a dogmatic belief that Science is the only true way of seeing the world. Religion tends to believe that punishment is the only way if one sins, while spirituality believes in karma, the belief that what comes around goes around, and that well reap what we sow. Americans who are spiritual but not religious are somewhat more likely to be women than men (54% vs. 46%, respectively). A new studysuggests there may be fewer differences than expected between people in an organized religion and those who practice spirituality. Many people rely on their own understanding of the world when making decisions or expressing themselves. This post may contain affiliate links. Applying the Bare-Minimum Monday Philosophy to Relationships, Mass Shooters and the Myth That Evil Is Obvious, Transforming Empathy Into Compassion: Why It Matters, Spirituality, not organized religion, may be the key to finding meaning in life, 5 Spiritual Practices That Increase Well-Being. All paths Arjuna, lead to me.. Religion requires one to worship so they will be rewarded later on. Have any thoughts to share? Seek what they sought.. Some religions have a reward that comes after death, like getting into heaven. Increasingly, North American millennials identify as spiritual as opposed to religious. Description for this block. Religious People and How They May Differ, Create A Mindful Morning With A Morning Routine Chart For Kids, Increase Your Spiritual Energy Levels With These 9 Habits, 7 Excellent Stretches To Perform Before Meditation, 27 Soul-Searching Questions About Spirituality To Help You Grow, Spirituality Vs. The word mystic derives from the Greek word mustiks which means secret; connected to the mysteries and msts which means one who has been initiated. (1) As such, we can define a mystic as a person who has been initiated into the mysteries of the Divine. Being a spiritual person is synonymous with being a person whose highest priority is to be loving to yourself and others. Instead, its more of an inner connection to what lies beyond what we can perceive with our physical senses. How Creative Expression Promotes Self-Love, Art as Meditation: How Painting Landscapes Can Promote Healing, To an external practice, object, or figurehead. Do you rely on the rituals of a certain church to carry you through times when your faith begins to wane? Ultimately, both groups honor what works best for them to connect with something greater than themselves whether through religious teachings or a more intuitive approach. WebHistorically, the words religious and spiritual have been used synonymously to describe all the various aspects of the concept of religion, [1] but in contemporary usage spirituality This god helmet generated weak magnetic fields, applied to the temporal lobes. Spirituality leans heavily on the personal experience of one's soul. In this article, we will define both and talk about four major ways they they are different from one another. A majority of us often use the words religion and spirituality interchangeably, but they are entirely separate concepts. Lives in the present moment and grateful. On the other hand, religion provides its followers with a single set of rules and beliefs to follow, typically with less room for personal growth within those parameters. Does a Dog's Head Shape Predict How Smart It Is? Even though the connection shares a major common ground, spirituality and religion differ in more ways than one. Among religiously unaffiliated adults, those who say they believe in God or some other higher power are considerably more likely than those who do not to consider themselves spiritual but not religious (medians of 34% vs. 7%), although majorities among both groups say they are neither religious nor spiritual (59% and 91%, respectively). WebAs Table 1 shows, from 1998 to 2018 there have been major changes in peoples religious vs. spiritual identification. With religion, there is a high level of accountability often built into the structure of religious institutions. Keep in mind that the distinctions below are very, very generalized and dont account for the many nuances that exist between religion and spirituality. Religion often discourages people from listening to their own instincts, and instead teaches people to accept and do what theyre told, without questioning it. As you can see, there are noticeable distinctions between spirituality vs. religion; however, these comparisons arent meant to be absolutes or an attempt to polarize one against the other. You may have heardor even usedthe terms religion and spirituality interchangeably. Want More Abundance In Your Life? Spirituality is broader and more abstract than religion. Ill explore the differences below as well as the pros and cons of spirituality and religion. Religion is the container and spirituality is the contents. Resource for mind-body health, meditation, personal growth, nutrition, and more. 2. Nonreligious spirituality, mental health, and well-being. Those rules encourage them to develop discipline to grow closer to God. This may be a spiritual teacher you trust, a leader from a religious path you trust and feel safe with, or even a counselor/therapist. For example, spiritual people are more likely to: Volunteer or donate to the poor. And at religions most infantile form, it can be a force of destruction that creates more division and suffering. As someone who was raised in a fundamentalist Christian household, then left and became agnostic, then adopted new age spirituality, then became a practitioner of the occult, and has finally committed to a mystical path, Ive been on a merry-go-round when it has come to spirituality and religion. Religious institutions conservatively guard their practices and values, holding rigidly to the past and the original interpretations of the founders teachings. A spiritual person, on the other hand, turns inward to find his truth and finds God within himself and all life. What they both have in common is connecting to something larger than themselves. A major difference between religion and spirituality is believing versus being. WebIn short, the tension between religion and spirituality may be overstated. Getting ongoing spiritual guidance from someone else will also help to protect against ego inflation. Instead, it favors an inclusive approach. The world has no perimeters, races, or cultural partitions. The details of their lives as holy or highly evolved beings have been carried to us across the mists of time through oral tradition and written scriptures. Here are five essential differences between spirituality and religion to consider: Religion focuses on outward structures and traditions, whereas spiritualism directs its attention inwardly toward self-discovery. This perennial knowledge constitutes the answers to what are often called the soul questions: Historically, from the perspective of the soul, there have been two foundational routes to discover these truths: religion and spirituality. Spirituality and religion have been an age-old debate in human society. :) ). Its more about what resonates and feels right for you personally. 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