spirituality vs. Religion?

Question

I believe there is importance in the communal part of spirituality.

However, I have noticed there are 4 types of people:
1. Spiritual, but not religious
2. Religious, but not spiritual
3. religious, and spiritual
4. not religious, and not spiritual

Has anyone else noticeds these categories? Anyone have any explanation?
- Confused in Pennsylvania

Gina, thanks your answer (and all the other ones as well). BTW I am a christian. Actually, I have a masters of theology, and am a lay pastor.

Answer 1

I've noticed it too.

Category 1: People who believe in God/gods but who dislike structured religion and the Church. Prefer to do things there own way. Follow the spirit of the law rather than the letter.

Category 2: People who believe in God because they were told to believe in God. Often religiously ignorant. They see the letter of the law, but neglect the spirit of the law.

Category 3: People who find Church and organized religion as a way of helping them know God. Try to follow both the letter and the spirit of the law.

Category 4: Ranges from the open-minded and well-educated to the close-minded and prejudiced. Don't believe in God, or don't particularly care; he has no impact.

I would place myself in category 3. I think spirituality is needed, but so is the guidance and community that organized religion bring. As for an explanation for the categories, try looking them again, but according to those two questions, 'Do they believe in God? Do they believe in organized religion?' Loosely, you'd get (Y = yes, N = no): 1.YN 2.NY 3.YY 4.NN

Answer 2

Yes, I have. I think a very simplistic explanation to the question of spirituality and religion would view religion as a physical expression of sprituality. Religion is not abstract, spirituality is. Some people find it easier to believe in what they can see or read as opposed to feel. Its sometimes just easier to accept whats written or talked about as opposed to trusting our senses and our inner voice. I guess that explains the difference. You may be spiritual but may not need to live life confined by the dictates of religion on the other hand it may be easier to live life by the dictates. Sprituality is the ultimate outcome of life. We will reach there where we are religious or not. Some people can grasp the greater truth, who can be described as being spritual and some people take smaller steps and reach there, become religious but may not be spiritual in the true sense till they encounter some life altering circumstance. Others who are neither religious nor spiritual will reach there too.

Hope that makes some sense.

Cheers!

Answer 3

Dear Vic, it is very good that you have these questions. Although I am not a Religion scholar, I am a student of the Holy Scriptures, and have found the Truth therein. Truth is absolute, and there is no room for error or compromise. The word "religion" basically means a sect, or following a particular group or teaching. As for the term "spiritual", it can have mutiple connotations. A practicing pagan witch can be spiritual. They, along with so-called "psychics" can invoke unclean, demonic spirits that have certain, but limited powers of deception.

Catholicism, Mormonism, Buddhism, Islam, etc, are religions. They have altered, added, or either did away with altogether, the original inspired teachings of our Creator God, through His son Jesus Christ, Messiah. Christianity is not a religion, it is a personal relationship with God through His son Jesus, who left His deity in His kingdom in Heaven to come to earth to show how much He loves us and how to be able to have very real fellowship with Him here in this life, so that we can spend eternity with Him in Heaven after this life. The Holy Bible is the only way for you, Vic, to receive the fullness of meaning of your questions, doubts, misgivings, skepticism, etc. Please, whatever you do, don't let anyone else's critical ignorance be your guideline to the decisions you make concerning where you spend eternity. Ask God, person to person. I promise you'll recieve an answer if you are sincere. From my heart to your's in Christ's love, Gina

Answer 4

In my opinion, people who are religious are part of an organized, or official religion such as Christianity, Buddhism, etc etc.

Spirituality is having a belief in something whether it be an organized religion or otherwise.

If someone is religious, but not spiritual, I take that to mean they're raised as, say, a Catholic - but they aren't really devoted to it.

Myself, I'm neither religious or spiritual. I appreciate both religion and spirituality, but don't take part in either.

Answer 5

Assume religion is 10% science 90% arts and spritual is 20% science 80% art. By varing the % of scientific and artistic value we should have indefinite type of people. The number of type of people is always greater than the worlld' population.
Psocologist define people with two extreme characteristic as bi-polar or maniac-depression. This does not imply that person can be classified as only two type of a single person. Bi indicate two but not only two. It simply means two opposite extream with uncountable inbetween.
If both science and art can't be absolute value so can't religion or spriritual.
Hope my answer is able to confuse you furthur which practically mean you are different from your current state of confusion.

Answer 6

Yes I've noticed, but the only explanation I can come up with is the differences between people.

Answer 7

I'm both... religious is like a group of believes and spiritual inside of you..

Answer 8

What's the difference?

Answer 9

What exactly is there that needs explaining - it's all just a matter of definitions.

Answer 10

EVERTHING IS SPIRITUAL .....RELIGIONS ARE JUST REPETITIOUS MISTAKEN PREACHING.......BE NICE....HAVE FUN.....AND BELIEVE IN THE GOODNESS TO RETURN.....SPEND WHAT YOU EARNED.....HELP OTHERS........ IT RETURNS TO THE SENDER