Spirituality urges people to break free from obedience or conformity in order to create their own path and journey in life. Being religious has a more connotative reaction from others. I have directly experienced both spirituality and religion in their most toxic states, and Ive also experienced the benefits of both. Please also feel free to share this article with someone you think might enjoy or benefit from it. 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. A spiritual person looks within themselves to do the right thing and a religious person looks to the outside for guidance. Americans who are spiritual but not religious are somewhat more likely to be women than men (54% vs. 46%, respectively). Religious beliefs and spiritual beliefs differ in the ways in which they are practiced. This isnt necessarily a bad thing. 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. Religion has a set of rules that followers must obey in order to stay "pure" and "holy." 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. Sometimes people can have negative stereotypes toward people who practice non-religious spirituality (e.g., thinking they are in a cult), says Zhang. Spirituality doesn't make distinctions of that sort. Religion: Religions are most often based upon the lives, teachings, and beliefs of a historical or archetypal figure (e.g., Christ, Buddha, Moses, Krishna, Muhammad). Whichever path or combination of the two you follow is the personal and subjective expression of your journey of awakening. In this case, wisdom means a deep and integrated knowing that is expressed through how we live our lives. God is an infinite circle whose center is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere. If you notice, others abuse religion to inflict fear into anothers mind. 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? Some examples include Rumi and Hafiz (from the mystical branch of Islam, Sufism), St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila (from Christianity), Ramakrishna and Anandamayi Ma (from Hinduism), and more modern Western figures like Carl Jung and G. I. Gurdjieff. Spirituality seeks its own truth and translates it based on one's experience. Spirituality is a solitary experience of the divine, Spirituality focuses more on the quality of the message that is being offered than the differences in the details of the original story. The difference between a spiritual and religious person comes down to how they see God. For a religious person, the concept of God is predetermined, named, and comes with a set method on how to worship that God. A spiritual person on the other hand, turns inwards to find their truth and finds God within themselves and all of life. 1. Use this space for describing your block. Moral rules, laws, and doctrines, as well as specific codes and criteria, create the organized structure that contains the religions specific belief system. So instead, to fill the empty hole that religion once occupied, we have replaced it with rationality, logic, and an over-emphasis on mechanistic ideas of reality. WebWhether a person is religious, spiritual or neither, the major influence religion has on American culture will be emphasized over the coming days with religious observances of Passover and Easter. Religion generally involves participation in organized rituals such as prayer or meditation and attending services at places of worship. Spirituality also fosters a sense of interconnectedness with things beyond what we can see and touch. Religion and spirituality can: Offer comfort in times of grief. That is to say, belief in something based upon unconditional acceptance of the religions teachings. Spirituality: Spirituality doesnt dismiss faith; however, it often leans more heavily on direct experience of the soul or divinity. Spirituality is broader and more abstract than religion. Religion is an ideology that holds ancient traditions that have kept communities together. Are Zoomies a Sign of a Happy Dog or a Crazy Dog? They are flexible in their beliefs. Seek what they sought.. Also, try our spiritual awakening test to see if you are experiencing an awakening! There have been significant changes in the American religious and spiritual landscape in recent years, with fewer than half of all Americans reporting church membership, report the authors of the research, led by Hansong Zhang of the University of North Texas. 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. These teachings are considered the truth and should be followed without question. RELATED: 4 Simple But Spiritual Ways To Deeply Connect With God Without Going To Church. A way to practice both in a healthy manner will take some adjustment. Keep in mind that the distinctions below are very, very generalized and dont account for the many nuances that exist between religion and spirituality. A religious person is committed to following the guidelines set by his or her religion. He or she observes the rites and practices, such as regularly attending church services on a Sunday for Christians, observing the Sabbath for Jews, and fasting during Ramadan for Muslims. Religions are based upon rituals that A spiritual person knows that we are all One, and consciously attempts to honor this Oneness. Despite any possible ideological differences, all humans are the same consciousnessthey are just expressed in different ways. BEING RELIGIOUS Being religious means belonging to an established religious order, whether large or small. 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. In other words, different religions, in general, tend to focus on gathering people together and finding shared faith in one god or ideology. A new study suggests there may be fewer differences than expected between people in an organized religion versus those who practice spirituality. Neither of these scenarios is fair. A new studysuggests there may be fewer differences than expected between people in an organized religion and those who practice spirituality. 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. 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. 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. The difference between a spiritual and religious person boils down to how they see God. (Traditionally religious people scored highest.) Learn how to tell the difference between religion and spirituality. Aletheia is a prolific psychospiritual writer, author, educator, and guide whose work has touched the lives of millions worldwide. Bring into your life the opposite quality of whatever youre used to practicing or embodying. 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. 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. In previous, more uncertain times, the rules and dogma of organized religion helped to give society a sense of certainty and helped to guide and comfort those whose faith was lacking. So, what is the difference between religion and spirituality? WebIn short, the tension between religion and spirituality may be overstated. Zhang, H., Hook, J. N., Hodge, A. S., Van Tongeren, D. R., Davis, D. E., & Jin, L. (2021). For religious folks, try listening to the perspectives of people from other religions and spiritual paths. Take a dive with me to explore one of humanitys timeless conversations! Spirituality teaches sacredness or that the Divine can be experienced, felt, and embodied. Instead, spirituality helps others focus not just on their own well-being, but for others, nature, or any sacred being. 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. Rather, they're offered as tools for spiritual seekers to use to help their spiritual growth. Ultimately, spiritual paths are what you make of them and what resonates with you as an individual, making them unique. Religion, on the other hand, teaches that heaven is something found in the future (usually after you die). Spirituality and religion are two distinct concepts with important differences. Spirituality is a way to find meaning and purpose in what you do or experience. There is no definitive answer to whether it is better to be spiritual or religious, as the right path for one person may not be the same for another. Sign up for self-paced courses designed to deliver balance and health. A spiritual person focuses on the here and now. Religion and spirituality are neither the same thing nor completely separate from one another. If you have found any comfort, support or guidance in our work, please consider donating: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'd like to receive your latest weekly newsletter! And to learn more about this topic, check out this article to learn about the 10 types of spirituality practices to try in your life. 3. Being spiritual involves holding one's personal set of beliefs and practices and searching for the purpose of life. Please do your own research before making any online purchase. Alternatively, a religious individual learns or develops their beliefs based on the experiences they are told about their religious founders or through parables. Its centered around doing the work or in different terms, getting hands-on experience.. All paths Arjuna, lead to me.. Somatic Bodywork: 7 Types For Psychospiritual Healing, 7 Vagus Nerve Exercises For Nervous System Healing, How to Begin a Spiritual Journal (Start Here! However, spirituality encourages people to focus their energy on positive things and to act based solely on love. Provide moral guidelines by which to live. Religion: 5 Essential Differences Everyone Should Know, Spiritual vs. This unites people who share a religion, as they share character traits and outlooks on life. The word atheist originates with the Greek atheos, which is built from the roots a- (without) and theos (a god). Luna & Sol Pty Ltd 2012 - 2023 LonerWolf.com. As your spirituality grows, the more you understand that there is something greater out there, even if you dont see or understand it. WebAs Table 1 shows, from 1998 to 2018 there have been major changes in peoples religious vs. spiritual identification. A third omission is that of the dishonesty and self-deception found within both of these groupthink systems. A spiritual person cares about people, animals and the planet. Some people focus on compassion, self-awareness, and an understanding of what life offers, while others concentrate on what they believe is the ultimate truth or what they can do to connect with a higher power. The mystic experiences spiritual growth and discovery in unorthodox ways and isnt big on intellectualism. 1. A religious person is committed to following the guidelines set by his or her religion. Lives in the present moment and grateful. Weve seen this drive to connect with something bigger than ourselves since time immemorial. Spirituality teaches us that All is One (non-duality), that there is ultimately no separation between the spark of Divine within us and the Divine that pervades everything. 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. This suggests that most people feel that spirituality is more beneficial than religion for personal growth and development. Through religion, you are taught to have faith in God or the scriptures as being the infallible and ultimate truth of reality. Regular community service can serve as a buffer against the effects of stress, thus leading to longer lives. Yes, someone can be both spiritual and religious. Spirituality leans heavily on the personal experience of one's soul. 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