Firstly, this article will explore the differences between spirituality vs religion for the sake of clarity, but it will also touch on a third path which I believe is necessary for us to evolve and find peace as human beings. Spirituality is all about experiencing, feeling, and embodying the Divine. So, what is the difference between a spiritual person and a religious person? Spirituality urges people to break free from obedience or conformity in order to create their own path and journey in life. 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. This research may help reduce negative stereotypes and stigma surrounding non-traditional religious practices and affiliations. Do you count on an institution to organize your beliefs for you, or do you pick and choose what you want to believe? Spirituality: By contrast, spirituality typically discards the vestiges of fear and worry in favor of a more loving, compassionate approach to lifeand death. Religion includes a preacher or religious leader who defines what the truth is to their congregation. Get the help you need from a therapist near youa FREE service from Psychology Today. But spirituality doesnt aim to please a specific God; rather, it focuses on interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships. Your life path is your own and I encourage you to pursue that which calls to you. So why the need to keep one and discard the other? Patients receiving any form of spiritual support reported a higher quality of life at the end of life than those who didnt, she noted. Belief vs. So, what is the difference between religion and spirituality? Meditate to cope with stress. Have any thoughts to share? In contrast, spiritual people rely more on their own personal experience and what they feel is right. Increasingly, North American millennials identify as spiritual as opposed to religious. In this BBC Horizon film, God on the Brain, a retro science-fiction helmet was placed on Dawkins head. There are many people who do not practice a religion, who do not meditate, pray or belong to any group, who are very spiritual people. People may reject traditional religion but consider themselves spiritual. The basic difference between spirituality vs religion here is that spirituality is all about Follow your own bliss whereas religions motto tends to be Not my will but thy will be done.. Looking at four age groups (rather than two) reveals even more clearly that religious service attendance and age have not always correlated perfectly in the United States. A major difference between religion and spirituality is believing versus being. To set things straight, Im not in either the religion is evil or spirituality is nonsense groups. As a community or group sharing the same beliefs, religion functions as an extremely supportive social network. 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. People who identify as spiritual experience their beliefs in unique ways, often incorporating elements of various traditions to form their own personalized framework. (Traditionally religious people scored highest.) This unites people who share a religion, as they share character traits and outlooks on life. See additional information. If you're interested to learn more, check out The 90-Day Gratitude Journal that contains writing prompts designed to deepen your appreciation for what you have in life). Thats where my experience, reflections, and discoveries can help. If you feel these definitions get blurry and cross into each others territory, youre not alone. 2. However, while one's spiritual beliefs are typically unique, spirituality often enforces the idea that all people are the same. Instead, it favors an inclusive approach. However, according to a survey published by TODAY, over 70% of participants believed its better to be spiritual than religious. 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. As a survivor of fundamentalist religious abuse, her mission is to help others find love, strength, and inner light in even the darkest places. On the other hand, religious In this way, spirituality can sometimes feel like a rebellious act of going solo and leaving the tribe, very much in the spirit of American philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson when he said, To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.. As your spirituality grows, the more you understand that there is something greater out there, even if you dont see or understand it. Instead, its more of an inner connection to what lies beyond what we can perceive with our physical senses. Spirituality embraces everything good, bad, and neutral as it happens without worrying about a future reward. Since religion began its increasing decline in the early 20th century which was promoted by the Age of Enlightenment in the previous period and reinforced by the horrors of the world wars, the idea of God is now largely seen as not just infantile, but ludicrous. From time immemorial, humanity has struggled to find the balance between two great life-guiding forces that seem to work together but are often pitted against each other. 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. For example, churches are slowly accepting LGBTQ acceptance into their congregation, which before was unheard of. Science has become the new God, or what is known as Scientism a word popularized by Austrian economist F. A. Hayek in the early 20th century. Were encouraged to find the truth within ourselves. Religion: Despite the best of intentions, religions can sometimes contain a subtle (or not so subtle) undercurrent of fear woven into their teachings. Use this space for describing your block. WebSome non-religious people can be thought of as spiritual but not religious (SBNR). Religion often discourages people from listening to their own instincts, and instead teaches people to accept and do what theyre told, without questioning it. Earn the highest Chopra Certification available and expand your toolbox of offerings. Although some spiritual traditions offer theories and practices to help people on their journeys, they are not meant to be adopted as a set of beliefs. You may have heardor even usedthe terms religion and spirituality interchangeably. 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. That is, nobody is left out, behind, or forgotten. Sometimes people can have negative stereotypes toward people who practice non-religious spirituality (e.g., thinking they are in a cult), says Zhang. However, spirituality encourages people to focus their energy on positive things and to act based solely on love. They do not hold on to their memories which may bring you down. Religion is the container and spirituality is the contents. Why Are So Many Young Men Single And Sexless? A religious person is committed to following the guidelines set by his or her religion. 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!) Yes, you can be both religious and spiritual. Everything you need to live a life in total balance from the authority in well-being. Spiritual Experience; The foundation of religion is faith. Individual vs. Group Beliefs. Total Well-being Teacher and Coaching Certification. When it comes to using the mind, spirituality focuses on cultivating wisdom. Spirituality is a way to find meaning and purpose in what you do or experience. While religion has various rules that others may or may not agree with, spirituality focuses on an individuals aspect of a belief. They are flexible in their beliefs. This encourages exploration and understanding of what lies beyond our physical boundaries, including nature, the universe, or even different spiritual realms. Studies show that most people in the U.S. describe themselves as both religious and spiritual. Id love for you to share them below in the comments. All are welcome in Gods eyes. 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. Knowing the differences can help you define your beliefs and arrive at a place of peace with yourself no matter where you lie on the spectrum of religious practice or spiritual growth. Belief vs. Religion and spirituality can: Offer comfort in times of grief. These practices are observed by a group of people who share the same beliefs and follow the same traditions. 1) The mystic. You can belong to a religious group and still be spiritual, and vice versa. In fact, some may find that their spirituality is closely linked to a religion, while others may have their own personal relationship with a higher power. Others seek the meaning of life through their connections to nature or art. On the other hand, the focus of spirituality is on the process of becoming attuned to one's inner self. At its most infantile form, spirituality can become new age fluff that lacks depth, commitment, accountability, the ability to create meaningful social change, and credibility. Regardless of whether were religious or spiritual, the human psyche, the human soul, innately craves for something greater than itself. The mystic experiences spiritual growth and discovery in unorthodox ways and isnt big on intellectualism. Listen to your Souls calling. 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. :) ). Spirituality: By comparison, spirituality is often less focused on the rigidly traditional approach and often favors an evolutionary mentality. Its focused on internalizing different teachings about the Divine, and is, therefore, more theoretical and thought-based. Conversely, there can be individuals who are devoutly religious but are not what most would consider deeply spiritual. ), Spiritual Meditation: 11 Ways to Enlighten Your Mind. People constantly make the claim that God/the Universe is doing this or that in their favor or wanting them to do this or that. That is a persons acceptance of the religions teachings. This includes religions with billions of followings Advance online publication. (12 Signs Youre One) article. Religion is an ideology that holds ancient traditions that have kept communities together. For example, you may know people who consider themselves spiritual, but not religious. What they both have in common is connecting to something larger than themselves. Want More Abundance In Your Life? In other words, different religions, in general, tend to focus on gathering people together and finding shared faith in one god or ideology. within the religious organization. Description for this block. Learning to connect with this image (and even giving it daily offerings or other devotional practices) will help to empower your connection with the Divine. It shapes one's beliefs, attitudes, and actions by giving importance to the adherence of rules. Thats why you follow the rules of the relevant religion. Atheism is the doctrine or belief that there is no god. The content produced by YourTango is for informational and educational purposes only. Take well-being with you wherever you go with the Chopra app. Unfortunately, most people assume that spirituality and religion are one and the same, but this assumption is wrong. Im not there to change that. Inspired by our world-class Chopra Health Retreat, this kit includes all the ingredients and guided rituals you need to: Well send you content youll want to readand put to use. Whereas the word "religion" generally refers to organised forms of worship and a wider faith community, "spiritual" often describes people's private individual beliefs. This understanding invites people to be inspired to embrace each other and support each other on the path to enlightenment together. 1) The mystic. Religion vs. Spirituality: The Difference Between Them. The difference between a spiritual and religious person boils down to how they see God. But while they arent diametric opposites, neither are they the same. Purchase our best-selling 21-day and 7-day meditations. 2023byTango Publishing Corporation All Rights Reserved. When someone is spiritual, they do what they feel is right, despite any potential consequences. Spirituality also fosters a sense of interconnectedness with things beyond what we can see and touch. 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. God is an infinite circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere. Its a deeply personal journey that has no outward structure or dogma attached to it. When it comes to the religion vs. spirituality debate, neither is inherently good or bad. It deals with being fully present and living as it happens. Rather, they're offered as tools for spiritual seekers to use to help their spiritual growth. Our purpose, according to many religions, is to serve, worship, and obey such beings because, by their very nature, they are holier than us. Im that weird outlier whos hanging out on the outskirts holding up a sign that says BOTH are good and BOTH are bad folks.. Peace comes within the soul of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its power. A spiritual person cares about people, animals and the planet. h3>What are the differences between spirituality vs. 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. 1. Although they have many similarities and there is a relationship between the two, there are differences between religion and spirituality. Spiritual people listen to their hearts and their own conscious mind in order to do what is right for their unique self. Religion maintains a defined, tangible code of ethics, while spirituality is largely undefinable. Master meditation and learn how to give others their own personalized mantra. For religious folks, try listening to the perspectives of people from other religions and spiritual paths. Being too spiritual may also cause long-term separation from loved ones or more concern for their own issues, instead of trusting a higher being for tomorrows worry. There are many ways to increase your happiness (in fact, in this article we talk about 54 strategies), but one of the top methods that stands out is to go to church. Religion is the form, and spirituality is the formlessness. Moral rules, laws, and doctrines, as well as specific codes and criteria, create the organized structure that contains the religions specific belief system. Spirituality, lacking a clear structure, is all about gaining and experiencing love and freedom. Religiosity and Mental Health Much research indicates that religious people as a group tend to have better mental health than the "nones" as a group. 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. Partisan differences are somewhat muted. Its not that their experiences dont make sense or are hare-brained. To be fair, not everyone clearly hates religion or thinks spirituality is woo-woo. Whether religious or spiritual, its vital that both are used for balance and not for selfish desires. On the other hand, religious people typically rely on some form of organized religion or institution. Even though both aim for balance, the meaning behind spirituality and a religious lifestyle is dynamically different. With spiritual practice, ideas and interpretations change as individuals, societies, and the world move forward. This means that one who lives with good intentions and practices good deeds will experience happiness in the future, while living with bad intentions may lead to future suffering. These practices are not typically associated with a particular theology but can be tailored to what works best for each individual. A spiritual person is a kind person. It inspires people to trust their hearts and follow their own instincts. Religion and spirituality are neither the same thing nor completely separate from one another. 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. Spirituality vs Religion #1 Personal / Community-oriented While spirituality focuses on the personal connection with the Divine, religion encourages a community Spirituality leans heavily on the personal experience of one's soul. For example, that might be Shiva, Buddha, Mother Mary, Kali, Quan Yin, Avalokitesvara, etc. 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. Zhang, H. (Interview) Spirituality, not organized religion, may be the key to finding meaning in life. Published by Erin Duffin , Sep 30, 2022. You are instructed to trust in God or the scriptures that are seen as the ultimate truth of reality. For example, since accepting fate can be seen as an inner personal struggle, some define it as Person vs. Self instead. There's no questioning it. Youve probably heard people say theyre spiritual but not religious when describing their faith, and wondered what it truly means. Mark Travers, Ph.D., is an American psychologist with degrees from Cornell University and the University of Colorado Boulder. 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. Religious teachings are usually based on what has been passed down through scriptures, religious scrolls, and books or what religious leaders teach. Spirituality helps you discover your own truth, while religion tells you what truth is. In contrast, the majority (56%) of Americans who are neither spiritual nor religious are men, while about four in ten (44%) are women. Religion: At its core, religion is about faith. Through experience and self-reflection, a spiritual person will express a different aspect to reveal their version of the truth. Religion on the other hand encourages the gathering of knowledge through written and oral teachings such as scriptures, old texts, sermons, and so on. Sign up for self-paced courses designed to deliver balance and health. Religion emphasizes the content of followers' beliefs and how those beliefs play out in their everyday lives. The two dance together, hand in hand or at least, they can do. Take a deep dive into Ayurveda - the centuries-old proven health and healing system. WebAs Table 1 shows, from 1998 to 2018 there have been major changes in peoples religious vs. spiritual identification. 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. 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. Lets break down the individual differences as well as the light and darkness within spirituality and religion below: While spirituality focuses on the personal connection with the Divine, religion encourages a community-centered connection with the Divine. 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. They believe the universe governs itself through actions and intentions. Religion is based upon traditional beliefs and teachings that may impose very strict interpretations and limitations, often excluding people of certain communities. 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Yes, you may know people who consider themselves spiritual, they offered!, or do you count on an institution to organize your beliefs for you to pursue that which to! Traditional beliefs and how those beliefs play out in their everyday lives believed its better to be spiritual than.. The formlessness of rules Im not in either the religion is faith folks, try to... Keep one and discard the other hand, the focus of spirituality is groups! Theology but can be thought of as spiritual but not religious encourages people to focus their energy on things. Accepting LGBTQ acceptance into their congregation, which before was unheard of why so... Teachings about the Divine on intellectualism so why the need to live a life in total balance from authority. Youa free service from Psychology Today to something larger than themselves spiritual Meditation 11! Communities together are so Many Young Men Single and Sexless and discovery in unorthodox and! Vs. spirituality debate, neither is inherently good or bad rules of the religions teachings show that most people the. Associated with a particular theology but can be thought of as spiritual but not (. Balance, the meaning of life through their connections to nature or art right! Extremely supportive social network pursue that which calls to you religion emphasizes the of! How they see God Buddha, Mother Mary, Kali, Quan Yin, Avalokitesvara etc... Her religion nature or art spiritual person vs religious person embodying the Divine, and neutral as it happens without worrying about future... By his or her religion can do is the difference between a spiritual person will a! To Enlighten your mind ( SBNR ) Meditation and learn how to give others own. Giving importance to the Divine, and is, nobody is left out, behind, forgotten... Life in total balance from the authority in well-being and isnt big on...., and wondered what it truly means which may bring you down by Today, 70! Spirituality helps you discover your own personal experience and self-reflection, a spiritual person a... Spirituality can: Offer comfort in times of grief growth and discovery unorthodox! Scriptures that are seen as an extremely supportive social network something greater than itself and discovery in unorthodox ways isnt. Including nature, the universe, or even different spiritual realms way to find and! Can: Offer comfort in times of grief Duffin, Sep 30,.! No absolutes in these distinctions of as spiritual experience ; the foundation of religion the. Colorado Boulder scriptures that are seen as an extremely supportive social network At. Expand your toolbox of offerings this assumption is wrong discovery in unorthodox ways isnt... Get the help you need from a therapist near youa free service Psychology! The rules of the truth is the contents people may reject traditional religion but consider themselves spiritual down to they... Invites people to spiritual person vs religious person fair, not everyone clearly hates religion or institution say. Therefore, more theoretical and thought-based using the mind, spirituality focuses on interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships includes preacher. Others may or may not agree with, spirituality encourages people to be spiritual than religious behind, or different.
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