The difference between the words "spiritual" and "religious"?

Question

Lots of people -- me included -- don't mind saying they have a spiritual aspect to their daily lives, but are leery about saying that they're "religious."

Any ideas why this is so?

Answer 1

"Religion" implies dogma, authority, and submission. Religions believe that they have an exclusive truth.

"Spiritual" implies openness, awe, and connection. Spiritual people believe that any element known about truth is dwarfed by all that is unknown.

Under these definitions, they almost sound antithetical.

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By the way, did you get your Y!A email issues resolved?

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Answer 2

I agree with alomost all 16 of the post here.
As usual you have presented a wonderful question lo and hold you got what I think R&S should be. Lots of people saying what they think in a specific & non judgemental way.
Whenever I feel religious I go to Mass because I feel connected to a tradition that has been around for 2 thousand years I agree with the purpose & intention of Mass.
However I consider myself more spiritual than religious because I find truths in several other belief systems. I am not a devoted Roman Catholic per se that said I would not switch to any other religion.

Answer 3

The knowledge of the Divine (God) is Spirituality.This is the base of all the religions,which communicated the idea of a Supreme Being, depending on the place of origin, the culture and practices of the people at that time.Later on, the common Eternal Truths in all the religions were forgotten ,misrepresented and misinterpreted to suit the individual needs of the communities.This lead to several fractions, each upholding theirs' to be the best.
Spirituality is very sutle and personal depending on each individual's level of consciousness , whereas, Religion is the path that can be followed to reach higher state of consciousness to divinity.
But the real tragedy of humans is that they get bogged down with the religious practices / dictates out of fear and ignorance without understanding the inner truth / secrets of their religion.
So for those serious aspirants ,who wants to achieve the highest-divinity, religious practices sometimes act as a barrier. As my Master said " Spirituality begins where Religion ends."

Answer 4

Strictly from my perspective: everyone has a spirit, and in some form are spiritual. Even the Atheist. We are made/wired as person apart from the existence of our physical bodies - and live that out.

Religious is more the practice of that sprituality, in countless forms. Some practice it, some do not - all the way from going to church regularly to praying once a year alone for a minute - and all variations.

So... all are spiritual - acknowledged or not, but not all are religious (practicing).
Someone may sense or express they have a spirit - but not want to necessarily align with religion.

Answer 5

I read the first 15 answers and I can't believe they are all sane sounding.
Good job people!!!
I guess all the crazies couldn't figure this one out.
And so I'll say that I agree with all of the 15 who answered before me because they all say the same thing only in a different way.
They sound like a lot of intelligent people and I want to make them all contacts.
So according to them I found out that I am spiritual and religious, well, I try to be anyway.
~~~~Merry Christmas~~~~

Answer 6

Spiritual is "Global" whereas Religion is "Regional"

True spiritual person cannot be religious and he may not deny the religion though.

Because, Religion is First Step to the Spiritual Path and
Spiritual First Step towards the Enlightenment.

Answer 7

I know when I check Yahoo personals, because they don't have a "religious category" in my religion, I use "spiritual but not religious". I think it should be used for all who don't fall under an established religion (at least by Yahoo standards) i.e: Christians, Judaism, Islam, Buddhist, etc. This would standardize categories a little better.

Answer 8

Religion is the letter of the law, Spirituality is the spirit that informs the law.

I think of Mozart on the piano, and how they designed sheet-music just to mimic his style because he played so well. The sheet music attempt was a religious exercise to mimic Mozart's spirit and beauty that is unique to a man who has since passed by. Though it may be true that some pianist could play better then Mozart-today, I bet the true-muscial-ear could distinguish Mozart's-identity with those of imposter's; wether they so-called 'improved' or 'hacked' his style.

The same is true of Religion vs Spirit....is it not???

Answer 9

Spirituality is the search for spiritual Truth. Religion is the acceptance of someone else's Truth. Some people are not happy accepting someone else's Truth.

Answer 10

I am only stating how I see these two words.

To me "religious" means following or belonging to a specific religion.

"Spiritual", to me, states who I am personally. Someone who chooses not to belong to a particular religion. Someone who chooses to follow the TEACHINGS of Jesus, Buddha, etc. Someone, who chooses to live the best possible positive and loving life, without prejudice, judgment, dislike, etc. towards anyone or anything.
Someone who chooses to "love thy neighbor as thyself< meaning everyone in the world, not just certain people.

I. like everyone else, sometimes make wrong choices but I use them as a learning experience, as a tool to improve self.

Spiritual, is questioning, seeking, searching for and actually trying to living a spiritual life. Religious, is following the teachings and commandments of a particular religion, and making choices according to that teaching.