I see Fireball226 has set herself up as the resident expert on this by telling us all what is and is not religion and spirituality here, so I thought I'd get other people's opinions as well.
2007-06-12 10:36:58 · 31 answers · asked by Kallan 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Religion~ A strong belief and following in a higher/supreme being(s). Many follow a strict code of moral conduct which can vary from religion to religion. A very sensitive subject to most people. One of the main causes of war and violence. If you want to piss someone off very fast, attack their religion.
Spirituality~ Belief in the spirit, soul, often as it relates to religious, sacred, or otherwise non corporeal matters. A little metaphysics and philosophy are peripherally related as well.
2007-06-12 11:34:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, I don't think it's wise to use your own definition of anything that already has an accepted meaning which can be found in a dictionary. If you start substituting actual definitions for your own, communication breaks down. I like to use Merriam-Webster's dictionary, but there are others out there which will have identical, nearly-identical, or very similar definitions of all words.
Merriam-Webster's online dictionary:
Religion:
1 a : the state of a religious b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
Pay close attention to the last definition, since this definition means that strong atheism is actually a religion.
Spirituality:
1 : something that in ecclesiastical law belongs to the church or to a cleric as such
2 : CLERGY
3 : sensitivity or attachment to religious values
4 : the quality or state of being spiritual
2007-06-12 10:57:06 · answer #2 · answered by seattlefan74 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that religion is a way of living and a beleife that people turn to to get answers when reality and society cannot answer. There are many forms of religion, even atheisim. But regardless of what religion or belife you have, it shapes the way you live. Now spirituality is something that keeps you going day by day. It is what keeps you looking in the direction you want to go. I believe that spirituality is a force inside of someone that shapes their minds and beliefes and gives a person a conciuos. Thats why I beleive there are good and bad spirits. Spirituality is food for the soul, look at why some people say they feel ike their soul is empty, becuase they dont have the spirit of God inside or the driving force to keep going.
2007-06-12 10:47:36 · answer #3 · answered by monti h 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion: Takes place in the Mental Realm
Spirituality: Takes place in the Spiritual Realm
Reality happens in the Spiritual Realm Too (not religion).
Ditto.
2007-06-12 10:41:38 · answer #4 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Religion generally refers to common faiths of a name with people following a set of beliefs and doctrines particular to that faith.
Spirituality is a personal thing, and much more ambiguous; many people in many religions are spiritual, but not all of them are. And not all spiritual people belong to any one religion, either.
A delightful little muddle, no?
2007-06-12 10:48:44 · answer #5 · answered by ಠ__ಠ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My definition of R&S is -
A place for religious people of all types to enter act amongst them selves and a place to enter act with spiritualists who may or may not believe in a One God!
A place for pagans of all types to pass info and possibly enter act with other types of beliefs in a controlled atmosphere!
Do Atheists belong here? Maybe since some of us are spiritual but don't follow the beliefs in a God or Goddess!
In my opinion to put fireball in the spotlight is out of the norm for you, I was of the opinion that you wanted all to have a right to their own opinions!
I try not to judge or assume but after all I'm only human!
2007-06-12 10:59:05 · answer #6 · answered by Silent watcher of fools 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An idea to bring people together and a form of education for people who are in need to understand the laws of nature and reality...
I often put it this way...
Religion is like the 'clothes' that we wear (the necessities we all need)... Spirituality is the path we follow to our goals.
2007-06-12 22:44:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion is the banana skin and spirituality is the actual fruit within. However most people hold on to the skin not knowing that it's the fruit within that is the goal.
2007-06-13 01:47:37 · answer #8 · answered by venkashok 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
¬A place to ask questions and get answers about Religious and Spiritual Issues. (This does NOT mean it should be limited to Christianity as only a portion of the worlds population believes in Jesus Christ.)
Fireball226 is just a point gamer. just report her as an abuses as much as possible and hopefully we can kick her off. (there is a term and condition stating that point gaming is illegal on Yahoo Answers)
2007-06-12 10:51:38 · answer #9 · answered by BitterSweetDrama 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Personally, I would define religion as a specific set of teachings, practices and path followed by a collection of people.
I would define spirituality as inner and individual path that, hopefully, moves closer and closer in union with its source and returns eventually to that source.
2007-06-12 10:42:29 · answer #10 · answered by Linda R 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋