Spirituality helps you discover your own truth, while religion tells you what truth is. The word religion comes from the Latin word religionem, which means, respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods; conscientiousness, sense of right, moral obligation. (1) Religion is connecting to the Divine through someone elses experience. Its centered around doing the work or in different terms, getting hands-on experience.. Thats why you follow the rules of the relevant religion. This is when spiritual awareness and growth come into play. Sofia Stewart is a writer and former contributor to YourTango who covers astrology, numerology, spirituality, and relationships. But instead of seeing things in black-or-white terms (which creates division and therefore fear), I see that religion and spirituality can be like sisters, brothers, or friends that support each other harmoniously. Whether you choose to explore your spirituality or your religion, what matters most is what brings meaning and purpose to your life. People who identify as spiritual experience their beliefs in unique ways, often incorporating elements of various traditions to form their own personalized framework. WebWhether a person is religious, spiritual or neither, the major influence religion has on American culture will be emphasized over the coming days with religious observances of Passover and Easter. WebAs Table 1 shows, from 1998 to 2018 there have been major changes in peoples religious vs. spiritual identification. Final Thoughts on the Differences Between Religion and Spirituality. Published by Erin Duffin , Sep 30, 2022. Lives in the present moment and grateful. 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While often closely linked and used interchangeably, these two concepts are not the same and carry distinct characteristics for individuals, groups, and globally. There's no questioning it. How is one initiated? Religion tends to believe that punishment is the only way if one sins, while spirituality believes in karma, the belief that what comes around goes around, and that well reap what we sow. Im not there to change that. Religion and spirituality can: Offer comfort in times of grief. The more religious than spiritual group declined from 16.7% in 1998 to 11.9% in 2018 ( - 4.8 percentage points) and those saying they are equally religious and spiritual also decreased from 64.8% to 55.1% ( -9.7 points) . Without a cup, water spills everywhere. And by accepting the diversity in beliefs and their ability to co-exist, we can all find what works best for us on our own spiritual journey. Unlike religious beliefs, which tend to have strict rules and organized doctrines, spirituality is highly individualized. 2. Somatic Bodywork: 7 Types For Psychospiritual Healing, 7 Vagus Nerve Exercises For Nervous System Healing, How to Begin a Spiritual Journal (Start Here! That is to say, We guide spiritual seekers undergoing an awakening to walk the path less travelled, practice inner soul work, and rediscover their interconnected True Nature in the present moment. In this way, spirituality can sometimes feel like a rebellious act of going solo and leaving the tribe, very much in the spirit of American philosopher and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson when he said, To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.. See what you like and resonate with and take note there are more similarities between you and other paths than you may think.4. A spiritual persons set of beliefs evolves as they learn more through their personal study of their own spirituality. But there is a sublime opportunity present within the heart of both spirituality and religion. Religion vs. Spirituality: The Difference Between Them. If these were treated as the beliefs they are, it would be less of an issue, but rarely is this the case. In fact, certain beliefs related to spiritualism may even be seen as taboo or forbidden to discuss within some religions. The content produced by YourTango is for informational and educational purposes only. It is primarily concerned with believing in, following, and obeying the rules created by a certain Deity or spiritual teacher. Those rules encourage them to develop discipline to grow closer to God. Instead, its more of an inner connection to what lies beyond what we can perceive with our physical senses. This isnt necessarily a bad thing. Increasingly, North American millennials identify as spiritual as opposed to religious. You can belong to a religious group and still be spiritual, and vice versa. In fact, some may find that their spirituality is closely linked to a religion, while others may have their own personal relationship with a higher power. Others seek the meaning of life through their connections to nature or art. You can create a hybrid of the two concepts, allowing what resonates with you individually to be your guide. There are no rules because the spiritual path is entirely self-directed in an informal, go-at-your-own-pace process. Religion is based upon traditional beliefs and teachings that may impose very strict interpretations and limitations, often excluding people of certain communities. One is HOW we find religion vs spirituality. Spirituality offers an endless amount of potential benefits, while with religion it offers punishments or rewards. Its not that their experiences dont make sense or are hare-brained. This empowers people to discover their own truths without setting any limits as to the depth of one's understanding. Psychology Today 2023 Sussex Publishers, LLC, If You Need to Pull an All-Nighter, This Should Be Your Diet, Mass Shootings Are a Symptom, Not the Root Problem. https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000279. Sign up for self-paced courses designed to deliver balance and health. Bear in mind that there are no absolutes in these distinctions. Religion is an organized set of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to an order of existence. Religion: At its core, religion is about faith. But how can we make sense of this dichotomy? Staying Single: What Most People Do If They Divorce After 50. Thats where my experience, reflections, and discoveries can help. However, both of these methods of believing in something help people live happy, meaningful lives. The goal of spirituality is to realize one's inherent power to combat all of life's challenges, and connect with something greater than oneself. Spiritual people are more flexible in their beliefs and often draw from multiple teachings and practices to create what works best for them. ), and has been on the spiritual-but-not-religious path for over a decade, I find myself in the middle. Americans who are spiritual but not religious are somewhat more likely to be women than men (54% vs. 46%, respectively). For a religious person, the concept of God is predetermined, named, and comes with an established method of how to worship that God. Those practicing religion fear the consequences of the way they live their lives after they die. A beach will do. Being too spiritual may also cause long-term separation from loved ones or more concern for their own issues, instead of trusting a higher being for tomorrows worry. Comment below! Studies show that most people in the U.S. describe themselves as both religious and spiritual. In either case, there are professionals within each religion who act in positions of leadership and who represent formal aspects of the institution. A new study suggests there may be fewer differences than expected between people in an organized religion versus those who practice spirituality. Youve probably heard people say theyre spiritual but not religious when describing their faith, and wondered what it truly means. The difference between a spiritual and religious person boils down to how they see God. When someone is spiritual, they do what they feel is right, despite any potential consequences. So, what is the difference between religion and spirituality? People are inclined to think that these two lifestyles are the same, and on the surface they are. On the other hand, religion provides its followers with a single set of rules and beliefs to follow, typically with less room for personal growth within those parameters. Sometimes aspects of it get split up and parsed out among the other categories. It has caused wars and major conflict between ecocentric groups and countries. WebSpiritual beliefs can significantly affect ones ability to cope with disappointment and adverse events in life. Whichever path or combination of the two you follow is the personal and subjective expression of your journey of awakening. Nothing is set in stone, so what one may find to be right or wrong today may change down the line with new life experiences. For example, since accepting fate can be seen as an inner personal struggle, some define it as Person vs. Self instead. They are flexible in their beliefs. Sure, I can understand why people either hate religion or elevate spirituality (and vice versa), but Im not interested in perpetuating division our world has enough of that already. Spirituality, on the other hand, doesnt necessarily involve worship at all. Description for this block. The more religious than spiritual group declined from 16.7% in 1998 to 11.9% in 2018 ( - 4.8 percentage points) and those saying they are equally religious and spiritual also decreased from 64.8% to 55.1% ( -9.7 points) . :) ). Religious people lean on gathering with others, to reach a unison connection with God, but spirituality develops their own belief system. Deepen your well-being practices and develop techniques to teach others with a prestigious Chopra certification. Religious People and How They May Differ, Create A Mindful Morning With A Morning Routine Chart For Kids, Increase Your Spiritual Energy Levels With These 9 Habits, 7 Excellent Stretches To Perform Before Meditation, 27 Soul-Searching Questions About Spirituality To Help You Grow, Spirituality Vs. Sunday services and disciple groups help religious people study the Bible together to understand scripture. A spiritual person often arrives at their own truths while they are developing their spirituality, rather than following an ideology or set of rules. We recognize their continued connection to the land and waters of this beautiful place and acknowledge that they never ceded sovereignty. Each person's own definition of spirituality can vary throughout their lifetime, adapting to individual experiences through personal study and self-reflection. Spirituality and religion are two distinct concepts with important differences. If you have found any comfort, support or guidance in our work, please consider donating: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'd like to receive your latest weekly newsletter! Its focused on internalizing different teachings about the Divine, and is, therefore, more theoretical and thought-based. Spirituality embraces change and the evolution of consciousness. And without water, a cup is empty and lifeless. (Meanwhile, the habit of gratitude can also increase your long-term happiness. For spiritual practitioners, find a source of accountability that will help to keep you focused and committed. Rather, they're offered as tools for spiritual seekers to use to help their spiritual growth. WebHere are six characteristics of a spiritually gifted person. This allows those who practice the teachings to experientially validate them. Spirituality allows individuals to explore their inner selves, developing a deep understanding of who they are and how they interact with the world around them. Take well-being with you wherever you go with the Chopra app. WebWith the phrase generally comes the presumption that religion has to do with doctrines, dogmas, and ritual practices, whereas spirituality has to do with the heart, feeling, and As you can see, there are good and bad things about spirituality and religion. Even though the connection shares a major common ground, spirituality and religion differ in more ways than one. Theres no black and white here. The details of their lives as holy or highly evolved beings have been carried to us across the mists of time through oral tradition and written scriptures. However, each practice serves as a vehicle to lead you closer to the truth you seek. (To learn more, here are 10 ways you can be spiritual.). 3. 1. So, you can go to church every Sunday and say your prayers every day, without caring about loving yourself, others and the planet. Spirituality teaches us that All is One (non-duality), that there is ultimately no separation between the spark of Divine within us and the Divine that pervades everything. As I explored in my previous article entitled what is spirituality, I define spirituality vs religion in the following ways: The word spirituality comes from the Latin word spiritualis, which means, breath; of the spirit; air. (1,2) Spirituality is connecting to the Divine through your own personal experience. Religion has a basic moral code, a set of core values and a story outline. Unlike the scientific worldview, religions dont require evidence to validate their claims. It is primarily concerned with finding, experiencing, and embodying ones true spiritual nature. Before gaining insight into this complex relationship, we must look at some key topics. 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