Differentiate between religion and spirituality?

Question

First of all thank you for visiting this question. Now coming back to the point, we all know about religion and spirituality. Differentiate between the two. Or do you think that both of them are related? Put forth your views in detail. And please keep in mind that this question is not about god nor any religious books so exclude such topics. I thank everyone in advance. Good luck to you all.

Answer 1

religion, which is commonly defined as belief concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the practices and institutions associated with such belief.
Spirituality is, in a narrow sense, a concern with matters of the spirit. The spiritual, concerning as it does eternal verities regarding Man's ultimate nature, is often contrasted with the temporal or the worldly. ... The central defining characteristic of spirituality is a sense of connection to a much greater whole which ... Religion vs. spirituality



In an attempt to understand what the question of “religion vs. spirituality” is all about, I went to beliefnet.com, probably the foremost internet site on things spiritual. According to their test "What's your spiritual type?", I am a “spiritual straddler”. The only explanation for that strange term is that supposedly I have “One foot in traditional religion, one foot in free-form spirituality.”
Okay.

I’m not jumping up and down with joy about receiving this label although, come to think of it, it’s at least not inaccurate.

The obvious truth is that it’s not easy to talk about spirituality. It is easier to talk about religion. I can immediately think of all kinds of things to say about religion. That it has created great problems, how it’s connected to politics, how it is often a source of comfort, how similar the so-called “great religions” are, etc. It’s a topic that everyone has much to say about – maybe that’s why it’s something that’s not supposed to be talked about at parties.

Let’s compare that to spirituality. To me it’s a word like “fog” – you can recognize it but you can’t catch it.

Robert C. Fuller says this:



A large number of Americans identify themselves as "spiritual but not religious." It is likely that perhaps one in every five persons (roughly half of all the unchurched) could describe themselves in this way. This phrase probably means different things to different people. The confusion stems from the fact that the words "spiritual" and "religious" are really synonyms. Both can note belief in a Higher Power of some kind. Both also imply a desire to connect, or enter into a more intense relationship, with this Higher Power. And, finally, both can note interest in rituals, practices, and daily moral behaviors that foster such a connection or relationship.

I don’t know on what Mr. Fuller founds these words but I’m not sure that I would want to agree with them – or with the conviction with which he says them. I think one can be spiritual without that emphasis on a higher power. While I personally have grown accustomed to that term, I think there’s other ways to look at the guiding good principles that are important to people who are spiritual. The don’t have to be “higher” and they don’t have to be a “power”. Also, this emphasis would leave out many Buddhists. While there are numerous forms of Buddhism that allow for the idea of a higher power – Pure Land Buddhists, for example – there are also many, Zen Buddhists among them, who reject the idea of a higher power. Are they not spiritual?

I also think that some atheists are spiritual, in a way. If being spiritual means following good, life-affirming principles, then any atheist who passionately believes in, and lives, a life that includes helping others, being honest, and sharing oneself would be a spiritual person. I am thinking of a few university professors I had who were outspokenly and openly atheist and yet live just such a life.

A higher power, a god, a supreme being, is just not everyone’s cup of tea. I also remember a pastor I once knew who was a fervent human rights and social activist and who had a really hard time talking about more esoteric matters such as prayer, life after death, etc. Maybe at heart he was a spiritual atheist, too – who knows.

Let’s see what else Mr. Fuller has to say:


A group of social scientists studied 346 people representing a wide range of religious backgrounds in an attempt to clarify what is implied when individuals describe themselves as "spiritual, but not religious." Religiousness, they found, was associated with higher levels of interest in church attendance and commitment to orthodox beliefs. Spirituality, in contrast, was associated with higher levels of interest in mysticism, experimentation with unorthodox beliefs and practices, and negative feelings toward both clergy and churches. Most respondents in the study tried to integrate elements of religiousness and spirituality. Yet 19 percent of their sample constituted a separate category best described as "spiritual, not religious." Compared with those who connected interest in private spirituality with membership in a public religious group, the "spiritual, but not religious" group was less likely to

- evaluate religiousness positively
- engage in traditional forms of worship such as church attendance and prayer
- engage in group experiences related to spiritual growth

and more likely to
- be agnostic
- characterize religiousness and spirituality as different and non-overlapping concepts
- hold nontraditional beliefs
- have had mystical experiences.

Those who see themselves as "spiritual, but not religious" reject traditional organized religion as the sole—or even the most valuable—means of furthering their spiritual growth. Many have had negative experiences with churches or church leaders. For example, they may have perceived church leaders as more concerned with building an organization than promoting spirituality, as hypocritical, or as narrow-minded. Some may have experienced various forms of emotional or even sexual abuse.

It looks like I’m in the company of at least 346 people who don’t like spirituality to be equated with religion. What about you?

And if you find that spirituality is a foggy concept to you, what do you do about it? I personally have struggled with this for many years, going through a number of – should I say it: “incarnations”. Today I feel relatively comfortable, walking a path that is informed by my liberal Lutheran roots, Christian Mysticism, the Buddhism I have been drawn to since I was a teenager, Pagan approaches, the principles inherent in the 12 steps – and all this mixed in with a healthy dose of the skepticism. Today this works for me, tomorrow … well, let’s see …

I’ve been able to help a number of people sort through some of the questions in their spiritual quest. Let me know if I can help you with that, too.

Go to belief net an excellent choice and read to see wher you fall in and why might be helpful. Have a good one hope I sorta answered your question all the way around:-)

Answer 2

I think religion has to be organized, and can refer to any set of beliefs that is organized. For example, the Christian religion has to do with the organized Christian church, be that the Catholic Church or the Orthodox Church or whatever Protestant denomination you want. There's always an organized church that defines what it is to be a member and excludes those who don't fit that definition. The same goes for other religions; although they may not fit the same style of organization as Christian groups, Muslims are likewise organized, as are Buddhists and other religions. Also, although this may be hotly debated, I would venture to add some scientists to this category. The scientific community is highly organized, and although most, I feel, are open-minded and follow the spirit of open discovery, there are some who have formed their own doctrines and belief structures and off-handedly reject any opposition, like any religion does. I think a religion is formed any time there is an organized structure of doctrinal beliefs and an internal definition of membership.

Spirituality, on the other hand, is not necessarily organized at all. Spirituality is a type of belief, a certain class of worldviews, in which a spiritual realm exists and usually has dominance over the physical realm (if the physical realm itself exists). Spirituality and religion often go hand in hand, but often they do not. One can be spiritual yet not religious, or religious yet not spiritual, or neither, or both.

Answer 3

One can be religious without being spiritual and visa-verse.

The definition of religion/religious is to perform by a set of rules in a set manner. As an example, a person can be religious about washing their car every week at the same day and time. Someone can be religious about being late to work everyday. Catholics have very strict rules and regulation they must live by or their not considered "good Catholics". They must go to Mass, they must do this and can NEVER do that!!!. In Heb 10:4 it says "For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats (ceremonies) should take away sins. "

Spirituality has more to do with relationship with God. In Psalms, David says that God isn't interested in all the ceremony: Psa 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise." God wants a relationship with each of us, not a bunch of Pomp and Circumstance.

Answer 4

Religion is an organized body of beliefs that a group of people follow.

Spirituality is the internal set of beliefs that you hold.

This is a ying yang question, like is the glass half full or empty. God is the primary unifying force.

If you are spiritual, you believe in God. Religion is people's effort to organize belief in God, thus you must be spiritual if you are religious. However, you can be spiritual and not be religious.

Answer 5

Religion is organized, there are preset things that are 'good' and others that are 'bad'. Spirituality is more about finding one's own way and one's own salvation. Spirituality is more of a relationship between the individual and God, whereas religion is more about God telling one what to do and what not to do. Thus, one can be very spiritual yet not at all religious and vice versa.

Answer 6

Religion is the outward portrayal or observances of a core belief system whether sincere or not. It is marked by patterns and traditions that are unique so as to be recognised even by those not beholden to such beliefs.

Spirituality is the sincere inward fervour with which you hold these core beliefs as your own.

Answer 7

Religion: sometimes used interchangeably with faith or belief system—is commonly defined as belief concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the moral codes, practices and institutions associated with such belief. In its broadest sense some have defined it as the sum total of answers given to explain humankind's relationship with the universe. In the course of the development of religion, it has taken a huge number of forms in various cultures and individuals. ...

Spirituality: in a broad sense a concern with matters of the spirit, is a wide term with many available readings. It may include belief in supernatural powers, as in religion, but the emphasis is on personal experience.

Answer 8

Religion is more worshiping a main focus like god. But spirituality is more of what the Native Americans did and mind,body,and soul type thing. I hope I helped a bit.

Answer 9

Religion is organized. Spirituality is personal. Religion has tradition. Spirituality organically evolves. Religion postulates what God is. Spirituality communes with the higher power, which simply is. Religion has its stories. Spirituality is the story in motion. Religion, most often have texts. Spirituality sometimes reads those texts. Religion is the law. Spirituality is the spirit. Religion is rigid. Spirituality allows for change. Religion is about conclusion. Spirituality is about process. Religion has history. Spirituality lives in the now. Religion is related to culture. Spirituality transcends culture, though sometimes uses it as veneer. Religion sometimes can be harsh. Spirituality knows that a soft word can break a bone. Religion can hang one up on the literal. Spirituality senses when to see things as figurative. Religion sometimes conflicts with itself. Spirituality is whole. Religion tells one to have faith in such and such, or so and so. Spirituality is true faith in motion. Religion cautions. Spirituality trusts the Divine, to work all things throughout, to the end. Religion preaches at you through Church. Spirituality speaks to you most often through nature and your own heart. Religion has prescribed rituals. Spirituality lets things evolve as they may. Religion has certainty. Spirituality questions even itself. Religion lets you know what the rules are. Spirituality lets you know when to break them. Religion is about following what someone else has found. Spirituality is discovering them for yourself. Religion states what is store for those who are damned. Spirituality actually gives a damn, for those projected on, as the "damned". Religion woos you with the sweetness of fellowship. Spirituality is a solitary & often a long suffering journey, ending in the mystical union with the Divine. ....................................................................................................………………………………

Answer 10

Let me put this in ways I can relate to...sports. Religion is like the group of fans you are with. Spirituality is your relationship with the team for which you are cheering. Note that your team spirit does change from time to time. It can be strong, it can be disinterested, it can be not there at all. A religion's team member can switch to other teams anytime he/she pleases. But his/her spirituality could remain the same, but just for a different team.

Answer 11

Religion is related to churchs, luthern, baptist etc,
Spirituality is a belief in a spirit or higher power but is not given a name like "God" It is also a belief in a here after but could be reincarnation before a heaven....It also could mean in a little of all religions Like New Age....