Do spirituality and religion seem like opposites to you?

Answer 1

Yes, in some situations. Many religions are actually social movements with an agenda to promote. They discourage people from exploring the nature of the spirit, telling them to just read their Book instead. Some of them live by the motto: Conform or be Damned. They can stiffle the free will expression necessary for actual spiritual development. Spirituality is about the individual and how it relates to the universe around it. Not all religions are like this, just the ones from the Middle East, Christianity and Islam. Most other religions, world wide, encourage spiritual exploration within certain limits.

Answer 2

Yes and no. You may have them both co-existing peacefully but, generally, religion is a system so here is the problem: a system implies a structure, a hierarchy, rules to obey, some-one to answer to and so on and so forth. I believe one can be spiritual without belonging to this or that religion and most of the time I think it's better that way. I can go to Church every Sunday, every Saturday to the Synagogue or Pray every Friday at a Mosque and at the same time I can be the worst cheating bastard you've ever met. religion tells you nothing is being spiritual in what you do and being consistent with it that makes you a great person.

Answer 3

Spirituality and religion are not opposites. Spirituality is
more often associated with the individual rather than
the congregation. The spiritual religious practitioner
should have similarity between the two if the congregation
is a good match for the individual.

Answer 4

Though there is a difference between religion and spirituality, this does not mean that two are incompatible.
I feel spirituality is not determined on what people feel or experience. Spirituality is on knowing God, I feel God is Spirit and the only way to worship him is through his Spirit (John 4:4). And knowing the truth about God can only come from God (1 Corinthians 2:11).
And.. Religion, it is an organized matter of worship..Its a place we find that we our own self feel comfy with what is being shared in Gods word. What we practice..religion was not as important to God as the people being committed to him (Isaiah 1:13-14). I am not saying by any means that religion is not important to God. But if a persons heart is not in it, then being religious will not impress God. For as God says, a Christian is saved by grace (a free gift given by God because of Jesus) and not by works so no-one can boast (Ephesians 2:8).

Answer 5

No, I believe religion is a man-made method, or a tool, that can be used to explore and express one's spirituality. Religion is not necessary to be spiritual, but many spiritual people choose religion as their vehicle for spiritual growth,

Of course, there can always be religion without spirituality, when people just go through the motions or do what they were told without ever really feeling it.

Answer 6

No. One is the map and one is the territory. A good religion will, like the AAA, supply detailed maps to become more spiritual. It could even describe points of interest along the way. But every persons experience of spirituality will differ depending on their individual predisposition. Religion can estimate how far you need to "travel" but your "mileage" may vary.

Answer 7

The way some religious people are, yes. Plus I think that religion was designed to control people where spirituality is about the connection with deity.

Answer 8

No, religion is just an official form of spirituality. If you take a group of people with similar spiritual beliefs, group them together, and give it a name, it is a religion. People who disagree with certain aspects of specific religions, but still believe in a higher power, are called spiritual.

Answer 9

We can be one without the other, but they are effective together as well.

One can be spiritual, yet not affiliate themselves with any religion, or practice any type of ritual or ceremony. I can see myself as an individual living soul with a connection to every other form of life, and I can live my life with an awareness of that connection.

One can be religious, yet not affiliate themselves with any spiritual search. Religion is simply the habitual practice of a set of principals that allow us to focus on a certain goal. I can regulate my life in such a way that those principals are not neglected. Therefore, I can read "religiously" in pursuit of knowledge. I can visit the gym "religiously" in pursuit of a healthy, beautiful body.

The pursuit of God is equated with religion and spirituality because spiritual has come to mean the opposite of material. Following religious principals allows one to focus on the spiritual. It is the principals themselves that determine whether or not one is pursuing spirituality. One cannot factually call themselves a Christian if they do not practice the principals set forth by Christ. Those principals allow one to regulate their lives in such a way that they achieve the stated goal of going to heaven. Who can be a student if they don't study?

In order to become a successful businessman, a person must practice sound business principals. Those principals were developed by successful businessmen. So, if one is religiously following the principals of business, one can be successful at business, whatever that business is. If the business is God, then you religiously follow the principals of those who have successfully attained God, such as Jesus Christ.

Answer 10

Not really. I think everyone has a spiritual side to them and religion is how they express it.