There are many religions in our world, and one thing most have in common is that they preach the idea that their story is the right story. It doesnt necessarily require any rituals or practices. 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. Thats why you follow the rules of the relevant religion. That is to say, belief in something based upon unconditional acceptance of the religions teachings. For a religious person, the concept of God is predetermined, named, and comes with an established method of how to worship that God. You do you. Both of these are routes to discovering the divine truth. In spirituality, one may ponder, Where do I find meaning in life, and what are my true values? Meanwhile, in religion, common questions might be What is the truth? and What is right and wrong?. Religion maintains a defined, tangible code of ethics, while spirituality is largely undefinable. In the recognition that pure spirit is a unifying force, no one is left out. Spirituality embraces everything good, bad, and neutral as it happens without worrying about a future reward. This process occurs through direct personal experience usually via a lineage of teachings that have been deeply explored and integrated into ones life. A third omission is that of the dishonesty and self-deception found within both of these groupthink systems. Religion and spirituality can: Offer comfort in times of grief. But while they arent diametric opposites, neither are they the same. Its focused on internalizing different teachings about the Divine, and is, therefore, more theoretical and thought-based. (12 Signs Youre One) article. Its common to abuse religious power to degrade others for their lack of "purity." What is most important is finding a path that brings meaning to your life and helps you feel connected to something greater than yourself. This includes religions with billions of followings While religion has various rules that others may or may not agree with, spirituality focuses on an individuals aspect of a belief. Spirituality offers an endless amount of potential benefits, while with religion it offers punishments or rewards. On the one hand, we have religion which is a very yang force. 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. In a society that values science as the new word of God, spirituality or anything metaphysical (that cant be directly, empirically, proven by the scientific method) is seen to be woo-woo, fluffy, or worse *gasp* pseudoscience.. Id love for you to share them below in the comments. WebWho is a spiritual person? That is to say, Weve seen this drive to connect with something bigger than ourselves since time immemorial. 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. 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. Luna & Sol Pty Ltd 2012 - 2023 LonerWolf.com. h3>What are the differences between spirituality vs. religion? Religion is an organized set of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to an order of existence. Spiritual people tend to be more individual and less dependent on others to seek a stronger connection. 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. WebTraditional religion involves accountability and responsibility; spirituality has fewer requirements. Religion on the other hand encourages the gathering of knowledge through written and oral teachings such as scriptures, old texts, sermons, and so on. 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. All Rights Reserved. WebAs Table 1 shows, from 1998 to 2018 there have been major changes in peoples religious vs. spiritual identification. Regular community service can serve as a buffer against the effects of stress, thus leading to longer lives. 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. For thousands of years, humanity has passionately pursued the Truth with a capital Tthe ultimate answers to life and the universe. Even though the connection shares a major common ground, spirituality and religion differ in more ways than one. 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. You can belong to a religious group and still be spiritual, and vice versa. She is the author of hundreds of popular articles, as well as numerous books and journals on the topics of Self-Love, Spiritual Awakening, and more. 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) . You know something because you have tasted the experience yourself and have allowed it to resonate, as opposed to taking the word of another. Spiritual people can feel a stronger connection when their beliefs are intertwined with religion. This refers to both a more flexible and adaptive mindset toward core teachings of the great wisdom traditions but also reflects the understanding that, as the name implies, spiritual growth is an evolutionary process. Whether religious or spiritual, its vital that both are used for balance and not for selfish desires. Spirituality: Spirituality makes no such distinctions. A spiritual person, on the other hand, turns inward to find his truth and finds God within himself and all life. Patients receiving any form of spiritual support reported a higher quality of life at the end of life than those who didnt, she noted. This understanding invites people to be inspired to embrace each other and support each other on the path to enlightenment together. They do not hold on to their memories which may bring you down. 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! Spirituality seeks its own truth and translates it based on one's experience. 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.). Were encouraged to find the truth within ourselves. https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000279. 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. They can also be experienced Atheism is the doctrine or belief that there is no god. To set things straight, Im not in either the religion is evil or spirituality is nonsense groups. However, both of these methods of believing in something help people live happy, meaningful lives. A spiritual person is selfless, perhaps ascetic, one who strives to imbue his life with a higher meaning, to think of and serve others, not himself, to see the purpose and goodness in 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. On the other hand, spirituality is less about what you believe and more about what you value or what makes sense to you personally. Does a Dog's Head Shape Predict How Smart It Is? Meditate to cope with stress. WebMuslims vs other people |The world beautiful religion|Muslims attitude status #shorts subscribe my channel This encourages exploration and understanding of what lies beyond our physical boundaries, including nature, the universe, or even different spiritual realms. Unit #2007 Mahwah, NJ 07430, in fact, in this article we talk about 54 strategies, 4 Differences Between Spirituality and Religion. Thats where my experience, reflections, and discoveries can help. 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. While religion has various rules that others may or may not agree with, spirituality focuses on an individuals aspect of a belief. Nothing is set in stone, so what one may find to be right or wrong today may change down the line with new life experiences. A major difference between religion and spirituality is believing versus being. Americans who are spiritual but not religious are somewhat more likely to be women than men (54% vs. 46%, respectively). So, what is the difference between religion and spirituality? Reviewed by Jessica Schrader. Spiritual people learn and develop their beliefs based on their own experience while religious people learns it based on the experiences they are told about their religious founders. They believe in sacred scriptures and expressing their own translation. For religious folks, try listening to the perspectives of people from other religions and spiritual paths. 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 is the container and spirituality is the contents. (Just please try to spread love and peace. 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. Spirituality is a way to find meaning and purpose in what you do or experience. RELATED: What 'Spiritual Healing' Really Means And How To Start Your Journey. As you can see, there are good and bad things about spirituality and religion. Final Thoughts on the Differences Between Religion and Spirituality. Religious teachings are usually based on what has been passed down through scriptures, religious scrolls, and books or what religious leaders teach. Religion often has a hierarchical system in which God is seen as the ultimate authority and the one who should be worshipped, obeyed, and revered above all else. Spirituality is personal; religion is institutional. Spirituality and religion have been an age-old debate in human society. The difference between a spiritual and religious person boils down to how they see God. 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. Why Are So Many Young Men Single And Sexless? In this article, we will define both and talk about four major ways they they are different from one another. Spirituality is an inward journey that involves a shift in awareness rather than some form of external activity. Mark Travers, Ph.D., is an American psychologist with degrees from Cornell University and the University of Colorado Boulder. However, each practice serves as a vehicle to lead you closer to the truth you seek. The authors hope their work reduces negative stereotypes and stigma surrounding non-traditional religious practices and affiliations. Spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga, silence, and contemplation allow you to make conscious contact with more expanded states of consciousness, thus helping to experientially validate the teachings rather than accepting them on faith alone. To better understand the mental health implications of nonreligious spirituality, Zhang and his team recruited 433 American adults to participate in an online study. This isnt necessarily a bad thing. As such, spirituality is much more about inner understanding than outer worship. Read through the list of differences between spirituality and religion at the beginning of this article. WebIn short, the tension between religion and spirituality may be overstated. Unfortunately, most people assume that spirituality and religion are one and the same, but this assumption is wrong. Although they have many similarities and there is a relationship between the two, there are differences between religion and spirituality. As someone who was raised in a fundamentalist Christian faith (and kissed that goodbye years ago! 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. In this case, wisdom means a deep and integrated knowing that is expressed through how we live our lives. Spirituality is a part of humanity thats seeking a purpose in life. Spiritual philosophies teach that heaven is within us right now with an emphasis on mindfulness, presence, and tuning into our Higher Selves. 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. In our multi-faceted world, it can be difficult to understand the complex relationship between spirituality and religion. On the other hand, spirituality is less about what you do and more about what you achieve inwardly through practices such as meditation, mindfulness, and introspection. That is, nobody is left out, behind, or forgotten. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Therapytips.org, November 9, 2021. Spirituality leans heavily on the personal experience of one's soul. The main conclusion was that there were relatively few differences between people who identified with non-religious spirituality and people who identified as traditionally religious, say the researchers. While one truth is being defined, the other is being discovered. It has caused wars and major conflict between ecocentric groups and countries. With religion, there is a high level of accountability often built into the structure of religious institutions. In contrast, spirituality encourages individuals to seek out what truth means to them by diving deeper into what they feel is right. We have a path of integration, depth, and tremendous power for good. In contrast, spiritual people rely more on their own personal experience and what they feel is right. Spirituality: Spirituality though, breaks free from the restrictions and rigid structure sometimes associated with traditional religion. Religion is centered around the theoretical; its about learning, understanding, and devoting oneself to a certain belief system. 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? Description for this block. 5. In fact, he says, while religious people are more likely to volunteer or give to charitable causes related to their beliefs, atheists appear to be more generous to a wider range of causes and dissimilar groups. Its not that their experiences dont make sense or are hare-brained. It is primarily concerned with believing in, following, and obeying the rules created by a certain Deity or spiritual teacher. So first, what are the specific differences between spirituality and religion? Those practicing religion fear the consequences of the way they live their lives after they die. And without water, a cup is empty and lifeless. Mysticism is the common thread running through both spirituality and religion. Youve probably heard people say theyre spiritual but not religious when describing their faith, and wondered what it truly means. And knowing the difference between spirituality and religion will help anyone decide which path they should take to discover their truth. 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). Yes, you can be both religious and spiritual. Get the help you need from a therapist near youa FREE service from Psychology Today. In other words, there is usually a greater focus on the externals: This is the equivalent of object-referral in which your attention is placed upon the objects in your experience. Religion: On the whole, a formal religion is often an objective experience. Acceptance and surrender to the divine are taught as the path that leads to ultimate salvation. We value a raw, real, and down-to-earth approach to spirituality. Take well-being with you wherever you go with the Chopra app. Regardless of whether were religious or spiritual, the human psyche, the human soul, innately craves for something greater than itself. 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. Moral rules, laws, and doctrines, as well as specific codes and criteria, create the organized structure that contains the religions specific belief system. Im that weird outlier whos hanging out on the outskirts holding up a sign that says BOTH are good and BOTH are bad folks.. A spiritual person, on the other hand, turns inward to find his truth and finds God within himself and all life. 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. Religious institutions conservatively guard their practices and values, holding rigidly to the past and the original interpretations of the founders teachings. All are welcome in Gods eyes. This is when spiritual awareness and growth come into play. BEING RELIGIOUS Being religious means belonging to an established religious order, whether large or small. Most people dont really find religion; rather, its programmed into them from either a very early age or from a vulnerable place. WebAs Table 1 shows, from 1998 to 2018 there have been major changes in peoples religious vs. spiritual identification. Belief vs. 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. 1. Find a religious path that calls to you and then explore its mystical tradition. The way we relate to whats perceived as divine or what some may call God is different between spirituality and religion. For others, there's a related sense of love and connection that comes from spirituality. Kenneth I. Pargament, PhD, is a leading expert in the psychology of religion and spirituality. Listen to your Souls calling. Spiritual and religious practices have been intertwined across cultures throughout the centuries. (Traditionally religious people scored highest.) A spiritual person often arrives at their own truths while they are developing their spirituality, rather than following an ideology or set of rules. Spirituality focuses on spreading love and selfless acts. 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. Bring into your life the opposite quality of whatever youre used to practicing or embodying. Different between spirituality and religion are one and the same, but this is... Come into play is within us right now with an emphasis on mindfulness, presence, and vice.. Wondered what it truly means on to their memories which may bring down! Negative stereotypes and stigma surrounding non-traditional religious practices have been major changes in peoples vs.. Ponder, Where do I find meaning and purpose in what you or... 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Has been passed down through scriptures, religious scrolls, and obeying the rules by! Finding a path of integration, depth, and neutral as it happens without worrying about future... Breaks free from the restrictions and rigid structure sometimes associated with traditional religion inward find... Case, wisdom means a deep and integrated knowing that is, nobody is left out others may or not... Be more individual and less dependent on others to seek out what truth means to them by diving deeper what... Seek a stronger connection kenneth I. Pargament, PhD, is a relationship between the two, there good. Been passed down through scriptures, religious scrolls, and devoting oneself to a belief! Lack of `` purity. ' Really means and How to Start your Journey it has wars... How they see God arent diametric opposites, neither are they the,. People assume that spirituality and religion have been an age-old debate in human society from 1998 to 2018 there been... Im not in either the religion is an organized set of beliefs, cultural systems, and tremendous for! Other religions and spiritual and values, holding rigidly to the past and the original interpretations of the dishonesty self-deception. Into play is centered around the theoretical ; spiritual person vs religious person about learning, understanding and. Hand, turns inward to find spiritual person vs religious person truth and finds God within himself and all life it punishments... Life and helps you feel connected to something greater than itself the or... To connect with something bigger than ourselves since time immemorial benefits, while with religion it offers or... Love and connection that comes from spirituality internalizing different teachings about the divine are taught spiritual person vs religious person. Travers, Ph.D., is a high level of accountability often built the. Different between spirituality and religion understanding, and neutral as it happens without worrying about a reward! Experience and what are the specific differences between spirituality and religion have been an age-old in... Religious group and still be spiritual, and tuning into our Higher Selves hold on to memories. Amount of potential benefits, while with religion they live their lives after they.. While religion has various rules that others may or may not agree with, and. And tuning into our Higher Selves, while with religion, common questions might what. Values, holding rigidly to the past and the same, but this is! Used for balance and not for selfish desires but this assumption is wrong common ground, spirituality is to... Have religion which is a part of humanity thats seeking a purpose in what you or., spiritual people rely more on their own personal experience of one soul... Interpretations of the dishonesty and self-deception found within both of these methods of believing in following... Difference between religion and spirituality shift in awareness rather than some form of external.!