In previous, more uncertain times, the rules and dogma of organized religion helped to give society a sense of certainty and helped to guide and comfort those whose faith was lacking. On the other hand, religious people typically rely on some form of organized religion or institution. This allows those who practice the teachings to experientially validate them. Religious people score much higher on those they view [them] as much more relevant for being moral compared to the disbelievers." RELATED: What 'Spiritual Healing' Really Means And How To Start Your Journey. This means that one who lives with good intentions and practices good deeds will experience happiness in the future, while living with bad intentions may lead to future suffering. 1. 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) . All are welcome in Gods eyes. (Meanwhile, the habit of gratitude can also increase your long-term happiness. Religion, on the other hand, teaches that heaven is something found in the future (usually after you die). With religion, there is a high level of accountability often built into the structure of religious institutions. 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?. A spiritual persons set of beliefs evolves as they learn more through their personal study of their own spirituality. Spiritual people listen to their hearts and their own conscious mind in order to do what is right for their unique self. A spiritual person knows that we are all One, and consciously attempts to honor this Oneness. Our names are Aletheia Luna & Mateo Sol and were spiritual educators and guides currently living in Perth, Western Australia. For example, they may believe in God while asking for positive energy through their journey of self-discovering. In fact, he says, while religious people are more likely to volunteer or give to charitable causes related to their beliefs, atheists appear to be more generous to a wider range of causes and dissimilar groups. The results were sorted by age. Religion includes a preacher or religious leader who defines what the truth is to their congregation. Yes, you can be both religious and spiritual. 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. Final Thoughts on the Differences Between Religion and Spirituality. A spiritual person, on the other hand, turns inward to find his truth and finds God within himself and all life. While religion looks to God for purpose, spirituality looks within life's foundation. Im not there to change that. When wondering, Am I religious or spiritual? think about whose rules you follow. These findings provide evidence that, at least psychologically speaking, non-religious spirituality and traditionally religious participants may be more similar than different.. While religion has various rules that others may or may not agree with, spirituality focuses on an individuals aspect of a belief. 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. Sofia Stewart is a writer and former contributor to YourTango who covers astrology, numerology, spirituality, and relationships. Enjoy a renewed sense of health with this 7-day Ayurvedic cleanse. Heres how you can unite spirituality and religion (instead of spirituality vs religion) into your life: 1. This empowers people to discover their own truths without setting any limits as to the depth of one's understanding. The fear of punishment for one's actions is often a principle factor in religion. Religion vs. Spirituality: The Difference Between Them. Whatever path you choose, I hope you find what youre looking for and know that its okay to experiment, and its also okay to commit deeply and fully. 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) . Mark Travers, Ph.D., is an American psychologist with degrees from Cornell University and the University of Colorado Boulder. It focuses only on good energy to allow people to be the best version of themselves. The experience is often personal and occurs in private, allowing people to follow their own intuition and do the things that are in their own best interests. 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. However, being religious doesnt make you spiritual, just like being spiritual doesnt make you religious. 1) The mystic. Without a cup, water spills everywhere. 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. Although they have many similarities and there is a relationship between the two, there are differences between religion and spirituality. Luna & Sol Pty Ltd 2012 - 2023 LonerWolf.com. Lives in the present moment and grateful. Spirituality is about one's soul and inner self. 2023 Oldtown Publishing LLC 479 State Route 17 N But spirituality doesnt aim to please a specific God; rather, it focuses on interpersonal and intrapersonal relationships. However, spirituality encourages people to focus their energy on positive things and to act based solely on love. One may describe a spiritual experience as being sacred or transcendent, or plainly a true sense of liveliness and feeling interconnected, or pure gratitude. Nothing is totally black and white. | So, when asking the question, Can you be spiritual and religious? the answer is yesif your true beliefs fall in line with a certain religion. However, many who are spiritual believe that everyone's ultimate truth is the same, despite any differences among them. Lets break down the individual differences as well as the light and darkness within spirituality and religion below: While spirituality focuses on the personal connection with the Divine, religion encourages a community-centered connection with the Divine. The key distinctions between them mostly involve what each is at its core. ), Spiritual Meditation: 11 Ways to Enlighten Your Mind. Biologist and atheist Richard Dawkins travelled to the lab of Canadian neuroscientist Michael Persinger in the hope of having a religious experience. Religion requires one to worship so they will be rewarded later on. This understanding invites people to be inspired to embrace each other and support each other on the path to enlightenment together. Sunday services and disciple groups help religious people study the Bible together to understand scripture. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I think a few key things were left out of this comparison. 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. For example, spiritual people are more likely to: Volunteer or donate to the poor. Spiritual Experience. 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. Spirituality is simply one's ability to recognize that every person is more than just a human bodythey are a soul that has unlimited potential. Spirituality in Clinical Practice. For instance, Christians often draw upon their spirituality when making decisions about their faith, but it is not an essential part of the religion. These practices are observed by a group of people who share the same beliefs and follow the same traditions. 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. Religion aims to build one's character. Religion often discourages people from listening to their own instincts, and instead teaches people to accept and do what theyre told, without questioning it. In contrast, the majority (56%) of Americans who are neither spiritual nor religious are men, while about four in ten (44%) are women. These teachings are considered the truth and should be followed without question. What are your thoughts about spirituality vs religion? As a pacifist by nature, it hasRead more . However, while one's spiritual beliefs are typically unique, spirituality often enforces the idea that all people are the same. The Chopra Renew & Restore Detox Kit is a gentle and effective 7-Day cleanse rooted in the wisdom of Ayurveda and backed by science. WebSpirituality implies an attachment to matters of the spirit, rather than the physical, material world. Spiritual people learn and develop their beliefs based on their own experience while religious people learns it based on the experiences they are told about their religious founders. Both traditionally religious and nonreligious but spiritual individuals scored higher on measures of life satisfaction than nonreligious people. While often closely linked and used interchangeably, these two concepts are not the same and carry distinct characteristics for individuals, groups, and globally. Either one can lead to the other, but might not necessarily lead to a creator/god. These figures are the subject of worship and devotion and form the foundation of religious practices and rituals in a community. RELATED: 4 Simple But Spiritual Ways To Deeply Connect With God Without Going To Church. 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. Instead, it favors an inclusive approach. Unlike the scientific worldview, religions dont require evidence to validate their claims. Religion, contrary to that, usually teaches that there is a Divine being (or beings) that are greater than human beings. Religion is centered around the theoretical; its about learning, understanding, and devoting oneself to a certain belief system. 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. On the one hand, we have religion which is a very yang force. For Life, 3 Ways To Turn A Simple Daily Task Into A Spiritual Breakthrough, 10 Things Every Type-B Person Really Wishes You Understood, 4 Simple But Spiritual Ways To Deeply Connect With God Without Going To Church, The 3 Things People Immediately Judge You On When You First Meet Them, 5 Immediate Signs Of A Toxic, Passive-Aggressive Person, 10 Little Habits That Make You IRRESISTIBLY Attractive. If these were treated as the beliefs they are, it would be less of an issue, but rarely is this the case. Sadly, this religious in-group mentality can be used to justify the exclusion of minorities or those deemed unworthy of Gods favor. However, each practice serves as a vehicle to lead you closer to the truth you seek. Our purpose, according to many religions, is to serve, worship, and obey such beings because, by their very nature, they are holier than us. By Sofia Stewart Updated on Feb 11, 2023. There are many people who do not practice a religion, who do not meditate, pray or belong to any group, who are very spiritual people. Whereas the word "religion" generally refers to organised forms of worship and a wider faith community, "spiritual" often describes people's private individual beliefs. Listen to your Souls calling. While spirituality does not threaten punishment for a life lived in contrast to a set of rules, it often addresses karma. WebWho is a spiritual person? You are instructed to trust in God or the scriptures that are seen as the ultimate truth of reality. Provide social and emotional support. In a society that values science as the new word of God, spirituality or anything metaphysical (that cant be directly, empirically, proven by the scientific method) is seen to be woo-woo, fluffy, or worse *gasp* pseudoscience.. For instance, both groups show elevated emotional well-being compared to nonreligious individuals. Peace comes within the soul of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its power. What Is Your True Color Personality Type? When it comes to the religion vs. spirituality debate, neither is inherently good or bad. 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. Spirituality Whereas within religion, self-sacrifice, devotion, and service to others support us in feeling like we have a mission or greater purpose. This is very harmful to both self and society. Seek what they sought.. That is to say, belief in something based upon unconditional acceptance of the religions teachings. Religious people lean on gathering with others, to reach a unison connection with God, but spirituality develops their own belief system. Spirituality focuses heavily on the now. A major difference between religion and spirituality is believing versus being. In other words, from a spiritual perspective, no one has a monopoly on the truth. 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. A new article published in the journal journal Spirituality in Clinical Practice suggests that there are fewer differences between people who are part of an organized religion and those who practice spirituality on their own than might be expectedat least from a psychological standpoint. Whichever path or combination of the two you follow is the personal and subjective expression of your journey of awakening. Religion may be centered on a belief in the supernatural, moral codes of conduct, and how one should live and behave. Spirituality: Spirituality doesnt dismiss faith; however, it often leans more heavily on direct experience of the soul or divinity. Spirituality and religion have been an age-old debate in human society. What It Means To Be A Spiritual Person Vs. A Religious Person, What 'Spiritual Healing' Really Means And How To Start Your Journey, 7 Reasons Why So Many Spiritual People Refuse To Call Themselves 'Religious', The Spiritual Habit That Keeps Couples Energetically-Connected (And Happy!) Regular community service can serve as a buffer against the effects of stress, thus leading to longer lives. It doesnt necessarily require any rituals or practices. Resource for mind-body health, meditation, personal growth, nutrition, and more. A third omission is that of the dishonesty and self-deception found within both of these groupthink systems. It inspires people to trust their hearts and follow their own instincts. As a community or group sharing the same beliefs, religion functions as an extremely supportive social network. Because spirituality is self-directed and all about ones personal connection with the Divine, theres low accountability. I dont believe that were done with religion or spirituality yet in fact, I believe that were not only craving these paths as a species, but we need them. In contrast, spirituality encourages individuals to seek out what truth means to them by diving deeper into what they feel is right. Getting ongoing spiritual guidance from someone else will also help to protect against ego inflation. A new studysuggests there may be fewer differences than expected between people in an organized religion and those who practice spirituality. A spiritual person looks within themselves to do the right thing and a religious person looks to the outside for guidance. Religions are based upon rituals that Each person's own definition of spirituality can vary throughout their lifetime, adapting to individual experiences through personal study and self-reflection. Whether religious or spiritual, its vital that both are used for balance and not for selfish desires. WebAs Table 1 shows, from 1998 to 2018 there have been major changes in peoples religious vs. spiritual identification. Spirituality is all about experiencing, feeling, and embodying the Divine. What is most important is finding a path that brings meaning to your life and helps you feel connected to something greater than yourself. Members of a religion often also follow distinctive dress codes (especially religious leaders), moral codes, and actions that are mandated by a supernatural being. 13 Of The Best Meditation Chairs For A More Comfortable Practice, 25 Mindfulness Journal Prompts For Present Moment Awareness, Heal Your Shadow Self With 9 Mindful Shadow Work Exercises, Enhance Your Mindfulness Practice With 13 Mindfulness Worksheets. A spiritual person cares about people, animals and the planet. 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