Religion & Spirituality are they the same thing?

Question

How is Religion & Spirituality different or are they the same thing ?
This is a real question real answers only thank you

Ok tell me if I have this right ?
Going to Church just to hang out (to look good) is Religion
Talking to God one on one as a friend , going to Church to Pray with like minded folks and helping others because you love them is Spirituality ..

Answer 1

No, religion and spirituality are not the same thing. Someone once said to me that religion was for people going to hell and spirituality was for people that had already been there. I agree.

Religion to me is going through the motions or talking the talk. I can pray, I can confess, I can be a do gooder. But if I am just doing it to keep up appearances or if I am just doing it because I think that it will earn me a place in heaven then what's the point?

Spirituality to me is actively seeking whatever god it is you worship. So to me this means that you do things like pray, meditate, help others, outside of whatever church or group you belong to. You walk the walk. You are an example to others of what your faith is.

Answer 2

Without your body all things are spiritual. Religion is a doctrine bases usually on some aspect of understanding that has derived from an encounter with God that is enlightening. At one time all that is manifested on the material plane was once spiritual. At some level it still is. It is human perception that makes anything materialistic. Religion is not necessarily reality. It can be concept that has been passed on through many generations. It can be like putting a bunch of people in a circle and then telling the first one something that is totally true. By the time it gets around the circle it is completely abstract from the truth that it was born out of. This is why religion can be dangerous. If you accept the reality that God or Truth is your Father, Jesus is Lord, and the Holy Spirit is your teacher, then that is reality. You are connected to the source and you do not need a religion for anything. You can get confirmation from people places and things but they will always be to confirm what God is speaking to your heart through inspiration or even a voice that you can discern as Truth.

Answer 3

No, they most assuredly are NOT the same thing.

I am spiritual but not religious, meaning that I follow no organized religion. I study different religions, beliefs and philosophies of all kinds, take what serves me and leave the rest. I don't feel that I will ever stop learning. I believe in God, but don't feel it necessary to attend a Church to show my beliefs. I pray whenever and wherever.

Answer 4

Spirituality has no boundaries, while any of the institutionalised religions does. You could say that you are more or less spiritual than others, but actually, you just have more or less knowledge than others, or more or less connection with the spiritual realm than others. All religions divide people, while spirituality unites us all together in one, The One, which is God. When you pray directly to God, you get connected to all, and your prayer reaches all.

Answer 5

I think spirituality is the personal connection with the Divine. Religion is the more organized framework or trappings that have been built up around that.

You can be spiritual without being religious - you can have a personal connection to the Divine without the ritual, formal framework, congregation, church building, etc.

You can be religious without being spiritual - you can go through the motions and say the right thing at the right time and go to church/synagogue/circle/mosque/etc. because it's what you're "supposed to do", but it doesn't "mean" anything to you.

Answer 6

They are different.
This is only an off the top of my head definition...
Religion is the practice of believing in something higher or greater than ourselves. It is mostly extrinsic.
Spirituality is internal, and intrinsic. It is what goes on in that part of you that is spirit - not physical.
I am a Christian and I try to stay away from anything that looks too "religious", or not genuine from the heart or spirit.
Jesus warned against that... and the gift is the relationship with God, not so much the practice of it, which can also be a blessing but never the focus.
Yes, religion can be dangerous!

Good question!

Answer 7

Religion is a set of beliefs and is always tied to an organization (church, temple, whatever)

spirituality is the experience of what is beyond the physical

you can be spiritual without being religious and religious without being spiritual - in fact I would say it would be hard to be both.

Answer 8

Religion--A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

Spiritual--Of, relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; not tangible or material.
Of, concerned with, or affecting the soul.
Of, from, or relating to 'God'; or a deity.
Sacred.
Relating to or having the nature of spirits or a spirit; supernatural.

Most religions are based on something that was originally spiritual but the inherits may not depend on spirituality to adhere to the precepts. I believe some follow the 'religion' of capitalism, science or humanism in America these days. That is their chosen 'religion' but it is surely not 'spiritual'.

Spirituality is more straight forward, it is the core of what religion should be but is too many times not. That is why many who are alienated from religions consider themselves spiritual.

Answer 9

Not necessarily. A person can 'belong' to a religion and not be a spiritual person. Also, a person can be spiritual and not be a member of an 'organized religion.'

In my definition, religion is your way of life. Spirituality is realizing there is a higher power and searching for that enlightenment.

Answer 10

I believe the differences are religion is a blue print you must follow if you don't then you are condemned.

Spirituality is the ability to follow your conscience, and being able to determine what is in the best interests of a given society, with well thought out compassion, instead of condemnation.