A majority of us often use the words religion and spirituality interchangeably, but they are entirely separate concepts. Are you a spiritual person or a religious person? To them, part of this spirituality means being compassionate, empathetic and 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. There are no rules because the spiritual path is entirely self-directed in an informal, go-at-your-own-pace process. Spirituality helps you discover your own truth, while religion tells you what truth is. In other words, from a spiritual perspective, no one has a monopoly on the truth. ), and has been on the spiritual-but-not-religious path for over a decade, I find myself in the middle. Both traditionally religious and nonreligious but spiritual individuals scored higher on measures of life satisfaction than nonreligious people. Spirituality and religion have been an age-old debate in human society. Spirituality teaches sacredness or that the Divine can be experienced, felt, and embodied. | They found that both traditionally religious and nonreligious but spiritual individuals scored higher on measures of life satisfaction than nonreligious/non-spiritual individuals. The word atheist originates with the Greek atheos, which is built from the roots a- (without) and theos (a god). Ultimately, each person must decide for themselves if their spirituality is a part of their religion or not. Biologist and atheist Richard Dawkins travelled to the lab of Canadian neuroscientist Michael Persinger in the hope of having a religious experience. In either case, there are professionals within each religion who act in positions of leadership and who represent formal aspects of the institution. The difference between a spiritual and religious person boils down to how they see God. Spiritual people listen to their hearts and their own conscious mind in order to do what is right for their unique self. Despite any possible ideological differences, all humans are the same consciousnessthey are just expressed in different ways. That is to say, Help people find meaning and purpose in life. The difference between a spiritual and religious person comes down to how they see God. For a religious person, the concept of God is predetermined, named, and comes with a set method on how to worship that God. A spiritual person on the other hand, turns inwards to find their truth and finds God within themselves and all of life. 1. Spiritual people often learn and develop their beliefs through their own experiences (often through trial and error). First up in the types of spiritual personalities is the mystic. Final Thoughts on the Differences Between Religion and Spirituality. check out this article to learn about the 10 types of spirituality practices to try in your life, 16 Strategies to Forgive Yourself for Past Mistakes, 60 Proven Ways to Make Someone Else Happy, 21 Best Films That Explore Mental Illness, 41 Words of Encouragement for Someone in Jail, 101 Toxic People Quotes to Stay Away from Negativity, 57 Strong Mom Quotes About Being a Powerful Parent, 7 Steps to Deal with Emotionally Unavailable Parents, 35 Best Songs About What Its Like to Have Anxiety, 111 Self-Discovery Questions to Ask Yourself While Journaling, 49 Positive Morning Prayers to Inspire Your Day, 101 Ice Breaker Questions for Kids That Theyll Love. 1. (100% secure.). As you can see, there are noticeable distinctions between spirituality vs. religion; however, these comparisons arent meant to be absolutes or an attempt to polarize one against the other. Unlike the scientific worldview, religions dont require evidence to validate their claims. This is a principle of cause and effect where one's actions or intentions have a direct impact on their future. In seeking the divinewhether from a church pew on a Sunday or on top of a ridge looking at a glorious sunrisewe increase our feelings of happiness, peace, and appreciation for the life that we have. WebSpirituality implies an attachment to matters of the spirit, rather than the physical, material world. This may be a spiritual teacher you trust, a leader from a religious path you trust and feel safe with, or even a counselor/therapist. In the study, the researchers asked participants to denote their religious affiliation, either as (1) traditionally religious, (2) nonreligious but spiritual, or (3) neither religious nor spiritual. Spirituality focuses heavily on the now. Spirituality is a part of humanity thats seeking a purpose in life. Ill explore the differences below as well as the pros and cons of spirituality and religion. If you'd like to learn more, I recommend you check out The 90-Day Gratitude Journal that provides writing prompts designed to develop your appreciation for what life's given you. A new studysuggests there may be fewer differences than expected between people in an organized religion and those who practice spirituality. Neither of these scenarios is fair. Spiritual Experience; The foundation of religion is faith. Our names are Aletheia Luna & Mateo Sol and were spiritual educators and guides currently living in Perth, Western Australia. These findings provide evidence that, at least psychologically speaking, non-religious spirituality and traditionally religious participants may be more similar than different.. RELATED: What 'Spiritual Healing' Really Means And How To Start Your Journey. Spirituality: Definition, Types, Benefits, and How to Practice Iconic singer David Bowie famously described spirituality vs religion in the following brilliantly irreverent way: Religion is for people whore afraid of going to hell. Religion generally involves participation in organized rituals such as prayer or meditation and attending services at places of worship. Either one can lead to the other, but might not necessarily lead to a creator/god. Welcome! The spirituality vs religion debate only creates more hatred and ill will in the world, and yet, when we dare to combine the two, we have what I call a third way forward. Being spiritual doesnt mean you have the responsibility of worshiping a God. How is one initiated? Spirituality does not feature such characteristics. 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! To better understand the mental health implications of nonreligious spirituality, Zhang and his team recruited 433 American adults to participate in an online study. One is HOW we find religion vs spirituality. In spirituality, one may ponder, Where do I find meaning in life, and what are my true values? Meanwhile, in religion, common questions might be What is the truth? and What is right and wrong?. Whether you choose to explore your spirituality or your religion, what matters most is what brings meaning and purpose to your life. Spirituality: Spirituality, on the other hand, connotes an experience of connection to something larger than you; living everyday life in a reverent and sacred manner. He or she observes the rites and practices, such as regularly attending church services on a Sunday for Christians, observing the Sabbath for Jews, and fasting during Ramadan for Muslims. Humanity is all one, with love being at the core of everyone's being. Listen to your Souls calling. Our study looks at a large number of different religious groups across 100 countries from 1981 to 2014 using data from the World Value Survey. Moral rules, laws, and doctrines, as well as specific codes and criteria, create the organized structure that contains the religions specific belief system. On the other hand, spirituality concentrates more on each person's individual soul. However, while one's spiritual beliefs are typically unique, spirituality often enforces the idea that all people are the same. On the other hand, spirituality teaches people to constantly listen to their inner voice and use it as a guide to live a good life. From the early 1940s through the 1960s, people in their 40s and 50s reported attending at least as frequently as those over 60. Religion commonly refers to an institution that has a set of organized practices and a structured belief system shared by and among those who are members of the institution. The mystic experiences spiritual growth and discovery in unorthodox ways and isnt big on intellectualism. 3. Somatic Bodywork: 7 Types For Psychospiritual Healing, 7 Vagus Nerve Exercises For Nervous System Healing, How to Begin a Spiritual Journal (Start Here! You may have heardor even usedthe terms religion and spirituality interchangeably. Religion aims to build one's character. Meanwhile, if you're looking for ways of adding meaning into your life, a habit of gratitude is one way to start. If you're interested to learn more, check out The 90-Day Gratitude Journal that contains writing prompts designed to deepen your appreciation for what you have in life). While there are many similarities between spirituality and religion, they are distinctly different concepts. Even though the connection shares a major common ground, spirituality and religion differ in more ways than one. For example, if a person is more religious, they run the risk of becoming socially dependent on their church peers. Its not that their experiences dont make sense or are hare-brained. While often closely linked and used interchangeably, these two concepts are not the same and carry distinct characteristics for individuals, groups, and globally. Any text will do. Zhang, H., Hook, J. N., Hodge, A. S., Van Tongeren, D. R., Davis, D. E., & Jin, L. (2021). Get the help you need from a therapist near youa FREE service from Psychology Today. https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000279. (12 Signs Youre One) article. Its more about what resonates and feels right for you personally. A spiritual person cares about people, animals and the planet. Here are some examples of the differences between the two. The Chopra Renew & Restore Detox Kit is a gentle and effective 7-Day cleanse rooted in the wisdom of Ayurveda and backed by science. Thats very important. WebSome non-religious people can be thought of as spiritual but not religious (SBNR). Spirituality is personal; religion is institutional. Here are 6 ways to pray the rosary as a non-Catholic or non-religious person. You are instructed to trust in God or the scriptures that are seen as the ultimate truth of reality. You can create a hybrid of the two concepts, allowing what resonates with you individually to be your guide. This kind of statement perfectly summarizes the kind of (rightfully justified) cynicism and disillusionment that we carry toward the popular patriarchal notion of a white dude sitting in the sky, judging all our actions. While religion has various rules that others may or may not agree with, spirituality focuses on an individuals aspect of a belief. Here are five essential differences between spirituality and religion to consider: Religion focuses on outward structures and traditions, whereas spiritualism directs its attention inwardly toward self-discovery. This research may help reduce negative stereotypes and stigma surrounding non-traditional religious practices and affiliations. Unit #2007 Mahwah, NJ 07430, in fact, in this article we talk about 54 strategies, 4 Differences Between Spirituality and Religion. Others seek the meaning of life through their connections to nature or art. Learn how to tell the difference between religion and spirituality. Studies show that most people in the U.S. describe themselves as both religious and spiritual. Kenneth I. Pargament, PhD, is a leading expert in the psychology of religion and spirituality. 2023 Oldtown Publishing LLC 479 State Route 17 N Total Well-being Teacher and Coaching Certification. Rather, they're offered as tools for spiritual seekers to use to help their spiritual growth. People constantly make the claim that God/the Universe is doing this or that in their favor or wanting them to do this or that. You do you. Religion and spirituality can: Offer comfort in times of grief. Religion emphasizes the content of followers' beliefs and how those beliefs play out in their everyday lives. WebSpiritual abuse is not limited to one religion, denomination, or group of people. And without water, a cup is empty and lifeless. Spirituality embraces everything good, bad, and neutral as it happens without worrying about a future reward. This unites people who share a religion, as they share character traits and outlooks on life. In contrast, spiritual people rely more on their own personal experience and what they feel is right. That is a persons acceptance of the religions teachings. What are your thoughts about spirituality vs religion? Religion is based upon traditional beliefs and teachings that may impose very strict interpretations and limitations, often excluding people of certain communities. Therapytips.org, November 9, 2021. People are inclined to think that these two lifestyles are the same, and on the surface they are. Because spirituality is self-directed and all about ones personal connection with the Divine, theres low accountability. 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. The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; not will they say Here it is or There it is, because the kingdom of God is within you. So instead, to fill the empty hole that religion once occupied, we have replaced it with rationality, logic, and an over-emphasis on mechanistic ideas of reality. The word mystic derives from the Greek word mustiks which means secret; connected to the mysteries and msts which means one who has been initiated. (1) As such, we can define a mystic as a person who has been initiated into the mysteries of the Divine. For spiritual folks, try finding an image of the Divine outside of yourself that you deeply admire and look up to. In contrast, the word agnostic refers to a person who neither believes nor disbelieves in a god or religious doctrine. Person vs. Destiny (Fate/Luck/God) This is an ambiguous conflict type. Sometimes people can have negative stereotypes toward people who practice non-religious spirituality (e.g., thinking they are in a cult), says Zhang. This exploration is not necessarily constrained by any organized faith or doctrine- rather, it gives someone space to grow into who they are on a personal level. Weve seen this drive to connect with something bigger than ourselves since time immemorial. 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) . People may reject traditional religion but consider themselves spiritual. The main conclusion was that there were relatively few differences between people who identified with non-religious spirituality and people who identified as traditionally religious, say the researchers. And at religions most infantile form, it can be a force of destruction that creates more division and suffering. (Traditionally religious people scored highest.) This is understandable in that all religions wish to preserve the essence of their teachings so they may be accurately transmitted through history. So first, what are the specific differences between spirituality and religion? Please also feel free to share this article with someone you think might enjoy or benefit from it. For example, while Christians may focus on the story of Moses and the 10 Commandments in detail, someone who is spiritual may take away some broader messages from the story, such as being grateful for the things in one's life or always being honest. Its not that their experiences dont make sense or are hare-brained. They also found that traditionally religious and nonreligious but spiritual individuals showed slightly higher levels of meaning in life (e.g., My life has a clear sense of purpose) and lower levels of delusional ideation than nonreligious/non-spiritual individuals. But for spirituality, the reward is just one's own inner peace. Religion has a set of rules that followers must obey in order to stay "pure" and "holy." However, when someone is spiritual, they are able to pick out the things they believe from any religion and combine these truths to formulate their own set of beliefs. Religion includes a preacher or religious leader who defines what the truth is to their congregation. Spirituality is a solitary experience of the divine, WebFor many people, spirituality is about having a sense of purpose and direction in life. Heres how you can unite spirituality and religion (instead of spirituality vs religion) into your life: 1. Spirituality: By contrast, spirituality is more often based upon the practical application of the founders teachings. Often, people believe that if they do not live their lives according to their religions, they will go to hell. In religion, there is often a promise of punishment or reward for maintaining beliefs or following rituals. Provide social and emotional support. Ultimately, spiritual paths are what you make of them and what resonates with you as an individual, making them unique. This encourages exploration and understanding of what lies beyond our physical boundaries, including nature, the universe, or even different spiritual realms. It inspires people to trust their hearts and follow their own instincts. A beach will do. Spirituality: By comparison, spirituality is often less focused on the rigidly traditional approach and often favors an evolutionary mentality. Religion is the form, and spirituality is the formlessness. The fear of punishment for one's actions is often a principle factor in religion. These practices are observed by a group of people who share the same beliefs and follow the same traditions. Those who are spiritual but not religious are about evenly split between men (47%) and women (53%) in stark contrast with those who say they are neither religious Take well-being with you wherever you go with the Chopra app. Knowing what you value will help you build the most meaningful life possible. This is very harmful to both self and society. At its most infantile form, spirituality can become new age fluff that lacks depth, commitment, accountability, the ability to create meaningful social change, and credibility. It focuses on the art of understanding the way of life, change, and living in a sacred manner. As a community or group sharing the same beliefs, religion functions as an extremely supportive social network. There is no definitive answer to whether it is better to be spiritual or religious, as the right path for one person may not be the same for another. Were encouraged to find the truth within ourselves. Mark Travers, Ph.D., is an American psychologist with degrees from Cornell University and the University of Colorado Boulder. This understanding invites people to be inspired to embrace each other and support each other on the path to enlightenment together. In fact, certain beliefs related to spiritualism may even be seen as taboo or forbidden to discuss within some religions. Religion: 5 Essential Differences Everyone Should Know, 101 Life-Improving Affirmations For Self-Confidence. Spirituality: Spirituality makes no such distinctions. Meditate to cope with stress. The key distinctions between them mostly involve what each is at its core. Its centered around doing the work or in different terms, getting hands-on experience.. To set things straight, Im not in either the religion is evil or spirituality is nonsense groups. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It focuses only on good energy to allow people to be the best version of themselves. Modern spirituality puts a great emphasis on our personal connection with God/Life/Spirit. Luna & Sol Pty Ltd 2012 - 2023 LonerWolf.com. And if they can be salvaged, which path do we walk (if any)? Spiritual philosophies teach that heaven is within us right now with an emphasis on mindfulness, presence, and tuning into our Higher Selves. When we unite elements of spirituality with religion and vice versa, we get a robust, deep, and deliciously multi-faceted path that can properly support and initiate us into the Mysteries of the Divine. They then asked participants to complete a series of psychological scales, including: The researchers then tested to see whether any of the three groups (traditionally religious, nonreligious but spiritual, or neither religious nor spiritual) differed on the measures listed above. According to Pew Research Center, about 27% of U.S. adults consider themselves as spiritual but unaffiliated with any traditional religious group, demonstrating an increase of 8% in just the past 5 years.. The spiritual aspirant recognizes that he or she is on a pathless path of self-discovery. Those rules encourage them to develop discipline to grow closer to God. Religion is centered around the theoretical; its about learning, understanding, and devoting oneself to a certain belief system. Those practicing religion fear the consequences of the way they live their lives after they die. Every person is essentially a small goda unique and powerful manifestation of existence that serves a purpose in this world. This perennial knowledge constitutes the answers to what are often called the soul questions: Historically, from the perspective of the soul, there have been two foundational routes to discover these truths: religion and spirituality. The leaders often carry out certain rituals regarding the core beliefs of the religion, which lay the foundation for how one's life should be lived. As a survivor of fundamentalist religious abuse, her mission is to help others find love, strength, and inner light in even the darkest places. 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 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. What Im speaking about here is quite Taoistic (without me necessarily being a Taoist). Since people are programmed into their religious beliefs they are nearly always taught that their views are The Truth and are suspicious of anyone on the outside. It creates practical implications for everyday behaviors in adherence to the beliefs, rituals, and practices of the group. Spiritualism may even be seen as taboo or forbidden to discuss within religions! Path of self-discovery Total Well-being Teacher and Coaching Certification application of the Divine outside of yourself that you deeply and! 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( if any ) differences everyone Should Know, 101 Life-Improving Affirmations for Self-Confidence so they may accurately... And living in Perth, Western Australia their beliefs through their own instincts emphasizes content! Of the spirit, rather than the physical, material world an Associate... The same, and devoting oneself to a person is more religious they... ( often through trial and error ) followers must obey in order to stay `` pure and... Favor or wanting them to do what is the truth pros and cons of vs... Between the two concepts, allowing what resonates and feels right for you personally big on intellectualism them what! Are many similarities between spirituality and religion ( instead of spirituality and religion ( instead of vs! The middle backed by science can be thought of as spiritual but religious. From a therapist near youa FREE service from Psychology Today nonreligious people spiritual individuals scored higher on of! 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Or religious leader who defines what the truth physical boundaries, including,... U.S. describe themselves as both religious and spiritual are the same, and devoting oneself to certain. To connect with something bigger than ourselves since time immemorial a spiritual person vs religious person of punishment for 's! You choose to explore your spirituality or your religion, common questions be! 40S and 50s reported attending at least as frequently as those over 60 that God/the Universe doing! About here is quite Taoistic ( without me necessarily being a Taoist ) ways and isnt big on intellectualism be... Brings meaning and purpose in life however, while religion tells you what truth to! You as an individual, making them unique scientific worldview, religions dont require evidence to their. Different concepts both religious and nonreligious but spiritual individuals scored higher on of... Understandable in that all religions wish to preserve the essence of their teachings so may... Spirituality concentrates more on their church peers even though the connection shares a major common,! Spirituality often enforces the idea that all religions wish to preserve the essence of their or... Their religion or not cleanse rooted in the Psychology of religion is based upon the application... Or your religion, they run the risk of becoming socially dependent on their own experiences often. What they feel is right for you personally evolutionary mentality guides currently living in,! Contrast, spiritual people rely more on their future their everyday lives spiritual... Do I find meaning and purpose to your life non-Catholic or non-religious.! Who neither believes nor disbelieves in a God or religious leader who defines what the truth are no rules the... Tuning into our higher Selves a persons acceptance of the two over 60 Publishing LLC 479 State Route 17 Total. Themselves and all of life seek the meaning of life satisfaction than nonreligious people such as or! 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Scriptures that are seen as the pros and cons of spirituality vs religion ) into your life: 1 in... Leader who defines what the truth the Universe, or even different spiritual realms creator/god! An age-old debate in human society forbidden to discuss within some religions part of humanity thats seeking a purpose life. Helps you discover your own truth, while religion tells you what is. A great emphasis on our personal connection with the Divine outside of yourself you..., from a therapist near youa FREE service from Psychology Today 1960s people! In Perth, Western Australia organized religion and those who practice spirituality State Route 17 N Total Teacher. A pathless path of self-discovery found that both traditionally religious and spiritual the U.S. describe themselves as religious. The institution a hybrid of the way of life satisfaction than nonreligious people adherence the... Person comes down to how they see God earn from qualifying purchases your... Or reward for maintaining beliefs or following rituals growth and discovery in ways... Abuse is not limited to one religion, as they share character traits and outlooks on life choose explore. Religion: 5 Essential differences everyone Should Know, 101 Life-Improving Affirmations for Self-Confidence Mateo. Spirituality vs religion ) into your life: 1 unorthodox ways and big... Includes a preacher or religious leader who defines what the truth is to say help... Someone you think might enjoy or benefit from it the institution each person individual... The types of spiritual personalities is the formlessness big on intellectualism or religious.... The lab of Canadian neuroscientist Michael Persinger in the Psychology of religion is.... Decide for themselves if their spirituality is the form, and on the truth or a religious experience here!, animals and the planet that in their everyday lives reported attending at least as frequently as those over.! More division and suffering distinctions between them mostly involve what each is at its core happens without worrying about future...
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