Although they have many similarities and there is a relationship between the two, there are differences between religion and spirituality. RELATED: 7 Reasons Why So Many Spiritual People Refuse To Call Themselves 'Religious'. Spirituality is personal; religion is institutional. There are no rules because the spiritual path is entirely self-directed in an informal, go-at-your-own-pace process. Spirituality is about one's soul and inner self. There's no scientific evidence to corroborate its existence. Mark Travers, Ph.D., is an American psychologist with degrees from Cornell University and the University of Colorado Boulder. It deals with being fully present and living as it happens. This is not to say that worship is not a part of spirituality; its a matter of where the devotion and worship are directed: Religion: One of the hallmarks of religion is its organization. Provide moral guidelines by which to live. 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. Spirituality is a part of humanity thats seeking a purpose in life. It inspires people to trust their hearts and follow their own instincts. Religion emphasizes the content of followers' beliefs and how those beliefs play out in their everyday lives. Ultimately, spiritual paths are what you make of them and what resonates with you as an individual, making them unique. And by accepting the diversity in beliefs and their ability to co-exist, we can all find what works best for us on our own spiritual journey. Get free weekly soul-centered guidance for your spiritual awakening journey! within the religious organization. So, what is the difference between a spiritual person and a religious person? 3. In this case, wisdom means a deep and integrated knowing that is expressed through how we live our lives. Both those who received support from their medical team or from their religious community were more apt to transition to hospice care and to decline aggressive treatment, she said. Spirituality: Spirituality, however, leans more toward self-referral or the internalization of your awareness of your soul. In this article, we will define both and talk about four major ways they they are different from one another. For example, they may believe in God while asking for positive energy through their journey of self-discovering. And religion teaches holiness or that the Divine cannot be touched, directly experienced, or even looked upon because it is that much greater than us. They also found that traditionally religious and nonreligious but spiritual individuals showed slightly higher levels of meaning in life (e.g., My life has a clear sense of purpose) and lower levels of delusional ideation than nonreligious/non-spiritual individuals. Spirituality is an individuals inner sense of connection with the universe or a higher power, and for some people, it is an essential part of living. Religious people score much higher on those they view [them] as much more relevant for being moral compared to the disbelievers." A majority of us often use the words religion and spirituality interchangeably, but they are entirely separate concepts. 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. These teachings are considered the truth and should be followed without question. Does a Dog's Head Shape Predict How Smart It Is? Learn how to tell the difference between religion and spirituality. That is to say, It shapes one's beliefs, attitudes, and actions by giving importance to the adherence of rules. How is one initiated? Welcome! Somatic Bodywork: 7 Types For Psychospiritual Healing, 7 Vagus Nerve Exercises For Nervous System Healing, How to Begin a Spiritual Journal (Start Here! PostedDecember 1, 2021 As someone who was raised in a fundamentalist Christian faith (and kissed that goodbye years ago! Participants from these two groups showed similar patterns on all the major variables of depression, delusional ideation, subjective well-being, and sense of meaning. Luna & Sol Pty Ltd 2012 - 2023 LonerWolf.com. You can create a hybrid of the two concepts, allowing what resonates with you individually to be your guide. Being a spiritual person is synonymous with being a person whose highest priority is to be loving to yourself and others. A spiritual person knows that we are all One, and consciously attempts to honor this Oneness. 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. Spirituality I have directly experienced both spirituality and religion in their most toxic states, and Ive also experienced the benefits of both. Belief vs. Any text will do. The results were sorted by age. While some may find what resonates within the traditional confines of religion, others may take a more personalized approach to their spiritual practice. 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. A new studysuggests there may be fewer differences than expected between people in an organized religion and those who practice spirituality. The key distinctions between them mostly involve what each is at its core. See what you like and resonate with and take note there are more similarities between you and other paths than you may think.4. These are mere beliefs that are treated as truths and that can (and sometimes does) lead to unsavory outcomes. Whatever path you choose, I hope you find what youre looking for and know that its okay to experiment, and its also okay to commit deeply and fully. Gathering knowledge is meant to equip us with the ability to live life in a way that has integrity. Spirituality offers an endless amount of potential benefits, while with religion it offers punishments or rewards. What are your thoughts about spirituality vs religion? In addition to those who say they are spiritual but not religious, 48% say they are both religious and spiritual, while 6% say they are religious but not spiritual. Another 18% answer both questions negatively, saying they are neither religious nor spiritual. It focuses only on good energy to allow people to be the best version of themselves. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. That is a persons acceptance of the religions teachings. The more religious than spiritual group declined from 16.7% in 1998 to 11.9% in 2018 ( - 4.8 percentage points) and those saying they are equally religious and spiritual also decreased from 64.8% to 55.1% ( -9.7 points) . Religion on the other hand encourages the gathering of knowledge through written and oral teachings such as scriptures, old texts, sermons, and so on. Are Zoomies a Sign of a Happy Dog or a Crazy Dog? Those rules encourage them to develop discipline to grow closer to God. However, while one's spiritual beliefs are typically unique, spirituality often enforces the idea that all people are the same. A third omission is that of the dishonesty and self-deception found within both of these groupthink systems. Those practicing religion fear the consequences of the way they live their lives after they die. Have any thoughts to share? The difference between a spiritual and religious person boils down to how they see God. Nothing is totally black and white. The recognized authorities of the religious group reinforce or communicate changes regarding the ideologies for members of the religious group to follow. Take well-being with you wherever you go with the Chopra app. This process occurs through direct personal experience usually via a lineage of teachings that have been deeply explored and integrated into ones life. Spirituality: Definition, Types, Benefits, and How to Practice Since people are programmed into their religious beliefs they are nearly always taught that their views are The Truth and are suspicious of anyone on the outside. I dont believe that were done with religion or spirituality yet in fact, I believe that were not only craving these paths as a species, but we need them. (To learn more, here are 10 ways you can be spiritual.). Spirituality and religion are two distinct concepts with important differences. Spiritual and religious people are two distinct groups, though they share a common goal: to connect with something greater than the self. The foundation of spirituality is a pure spirit of unifying force. Zhang, H., Hook, J. N., Hodge, A. S., Van Tongeren, D. R., Davis, D. E., & Jin, L. (2021). Im not there to change that. As you can see, there are good and bad things about spirituality and religion. On the other hand, religious people typically rely on some form of organized religion or institution. The word religion comes from the Latin word religionem, which means, respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods; conscientiousness, sense of right, moral obligation. (1) Religion is connecting to the Divine through someone elses experience. Some religions have a reward that comes after death, like getting into heaven. In this way, religion requires people to be obedient with their beliefs, keeping them fixed to scriptures or what is taught to them by religious leaders. Heres how you can unite spirituality and religion (instead of spirituality vs religion) into your life: 1. The Chopra Renew & Restore Detox Kit is a gentle and effective 7-Day cleanse rooted in the wisdom of Ayurveda and backed by science. A spiritual person cares about people, animals and the planet. Please also feel free to share this article with someone you think might enjoy or benefit from it. A religious person is committed to following the guidelines set by his or her religion. Spirituality and religion go hand-in-hand: they are mutually arising. Reviewed by Jessica Schrader. Thats very important. 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. As I explored in my previous article entitled what is spirituality, I define spirituality vs religion in the following ways: The word spirituality comes from the Latin word spiritualis, which means, breath; of the spirit; air. (1,2) Spirituality is connecting to the Divine through your own personal experience. Spiritual people often develop their own beliefs as they explore what resonates with them. Before gaining insight into this complex relationship, we must look at some key topics. Aletheia is a prolific psychospiritual writer, author, educator, and guide whose work has touched the lives of millions worldwide. Kenneth I. Pargament, PhD, is a leading expert in the psychology of religion and spirituality. Spirituality is all about experiencing, feeling, and embodying the Divine. (Just please try to spread love and peace. In the words of Nietzsche, the well-known German philosopher who essentially prophesied the crumbling of religion in the West (God is dead): What do we do with a human God, when we turn to God, precisely because were disgusted by mankind? Religion: At its core, religion is about faith. Spirituality focuses heavily on the now. Here are some examples of the differences between the two. Whereas the word "religion" generally refers to organised forms of worship and a wider faith community, "spiritual" often describes people's private individual beliefs. To them, part of this spirituality means being compassionate, empathetic and Spirituality helps you discover your own truth, while religion tells you what truth is. 1) The mystic. Sign up for self-paced courses designed to deliver balance and health. Spirituality is simply one's ability to recognize that every person is more than just a human bodythey are a soul that has unlimited potential. This is very harmful to both self and society. You are instructed to trust in God or the scriptures that are seen as the ultimate truth of reality. By Sofia Stewart Updated on Feb 11, 2023. Those who are spiritual but not religious are about evenly split between men (47%) and women (53%) in stark contrast with those who say they are neither religious The experience is often personal and occurs in private, allowing people to follow their own intuition and do the things that are in their own best interests. In other words, from a spiritual perspective, no one has a monopoly on the truth. Spirituality in Clinical Practice. [Read More]. 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. For instance, both groups show elevated emotional well-being compared to nonreligious individuals. Spiritual and religious practices have been intertwined across cultures throughout the centuries. For instance, religious people are rigid in their beliefs, usually adhering to a particular set of teachings that have been taught and passed down through generations. For instance, Christians often draw upon their spirituality when making decisions about their faith, but it is not an essential part of the religion. Spirituality also fosters a sense of interconnectedness with things beyond what we can see and touch. Instead, spirituality helps others focus not just on their own well-being, but for others, nature, or any sacred being. All are welcome in Gods eyes. Humanity is all one, with love being at the core of everyone's being. The concepts of original sin, divine judgement, Gods wrath, or eternal punishment can create a mental environment burdened in worry and anxiety over your worthiness and whether your actions will result in divine retribution or karmic punishment. Spirituality teaches sacredness or that the Divine can be experienced, felt, and embodied. Are you a spiritual traveler? They do not hold on to their memories which may bring you down. Ultimately, what matters most isnt what you believe but how it helps guide your life and help you become the best version of yourself. The way of the mystic is this combination of annihilation annihilation of the illusion of the separate self and embodiment; of fully inhabiting exactly what is. Purchase our best-selling 21-day and 7-day meditations. 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" Everyone has their own unique path, so if you dont feel called to invite spirituality or religion into your life, that is totally okay. As a community or group sharing the same beliefs, religion functions as an extremely supportive social network. Partisan differences are somewhat muted. In the study, the researchers asked participants to denote their religious affiliation, either as (1) traditionally religious, (2) nonreligious but spiritual, or (3) neither religious nor spiritual. Alternatively, a religious individual learns or develops their beliefs based on the experiences they are told about their religious founders or through parables. Instead, its more of an inner connection to what lies beyond what we can perceive with our physical senses. We recognize their continued connection to the land and waters of this beautiful place and acknowledge that they never ceded sovereignty. First up in the types of spiritual personalities is the mystic. For religious folks, try listening to the perspectives of people from other religions and spiritual paths. In contrast, spiritual people rely more on their own personal experience and what they feel is right. 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 Religion includes a preacher or religious leader who defines what the truth is to their congregation. Our names are Aletheia Luna & Mateo Sol and were spiritual educators and guides currently living in Perth, Western Australia. Yes, they have most certainly caused tremendous evil in this world (Im speaking mostly about religion here), which is undeniable. This understanding invites people to be inspired to embrace each other and support each other on the path to enlightenment together. Regardless of whether were religious or spiritual, the human psyche, the human soul, innately craves for something greater than itself. Earn the highest Chopra Certification available and expand your toolbox of offerings. While spirituality does not threaten punishment for a life lived in contrast to a set of rules, it often addresses karma. As your spirituality grows, the more you understand that there is something greater out there, even if you dont see or understand it. 13 Of The Best Meditation Chairs For A More Comfortable Practice, 25 Mindfulness Journal Prompts For Present Moment Awareness, Heal Your Shadow Self With 9 Mindful Shadow Work Exercises, Enhance Your Mindfulness Practice With 13 Mindfulness Worksheets. Both traditionally religious and nonreligious but spiritual individuals scored higher on measures of life satisfaction than nonreligious people. 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. 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. Spiritual people often learn and develop their beliefs through their own experiences (often through trial and error). Sadly, this religious in-group mentality can be used to justify the exclusion of minorities or those deemed unworthy of Gods favor. Its focused on internalizing different teachings about the Divine, and is, therefore, more theoretical and thought-based. With spiritual practice, ideas and interpretations change as individuals, societies, and the world move forward. Without a cup, water spills everywhere. Some people feel called to explore different spiritual paths beyond what organized religion offers, and many believers find their faith is enhanced through other spiritual activities such as yoga, meditation, or journaling. 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