Neither of these scenarios is fair. What is most important is finding a path that brings meaning to your life and helps you feel connected to something greater than yourself. This is when spiritual awareness and growth come into play. Nothing is totally black and white. If you feel these definitions get blurry and cross into each others territory, youre not alone. A spiritual person cares about people, animals and the planet. Spirituality: Spirituality makes no such distinctions. Members of a religion often also follow distinctive dress codes (especially religious leaders), moral codes, and actions that are mandated by a supernatural being. However, spirituality encourages people to focus their energy on positive things and to act based solely on love. Individual vs. Group Beliefs. They found that both traditionally religious and nonreligious but spiritual individuals scored higher on measures of life satisfaction than nonreligious/non-spiritual individuals. In this way, religion requires people to be obedient with their beliefs, keeping them fixed to scriptures or what is taught to them by religious leaders. Nonreligious spirituality, mental health, and well-being. Religion is an organized set of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to an order of existence. (12 Signs Youre One) article. Some examples include Rumi and Hafiz (from the mystical branch of Islam, Sufism), St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila (from Christianity), Ramakrishna and Anandamayi Ma (from Hinduism), and more modern Western figures like Carl Jung and G. I. Gurdjieff. This statistic shows the share of American adults in 2017 who consider themselves spiritual but not religious. The recognized authorities of the religious group reinforce or communicate changes regarding the ideologies for members of the religious group to follow. Do you count on an institution to organize your beliefs for you, or do you pick and choose what you want to believe? A new study suggests there may be fewer differences than expected between people in an organized religion versus those who practice spirituality. WebWho is a spiritual person? We value a raw, real, and down-to-earth approach to spirituality. Get the help you need from a therapist near youa FREE service from Psychology Today. 2023 Oldtown Publishing LLC 479 State Route 17 N Spirituality is a universal, personalized experience, and everyone's experience is unique. It can happen in any religious group, as an element of child abuse, elder abuse, or domestic violence. Religion: By definition, religion is a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices; the service and worship of God or the supernatural. Spirituality: By contrast, spirituality is more often based upon the practical application of the founders teachings. While religion has various rules that others may or may not agree with, spirituality focuses on an individuals aspect of a belief. A third omission is that of the dishonesty and self-deception found within both of these groupthink systems. For example, they may believe in God while asking for positive energy through their journey of self-discovering. Both traditionally Religious teachings are usually based on what has been passed down through scriptures, religious scrolls, and books or what religious leaders teach. Take a dive with me to explore one of humanitys timeless conversations! 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. Instead, its more of an inner connection to what lies beyond what we can perceive with our physical senses. 1. Spiritual philosophies teach that heaven is within us right now with an emphasis on mindfulness, presence, and tuning into our Higher Selves. 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?. Being religious has a more connotative reaction from others. From the early 1940s through the 1960s, people in their 40s and 50s reported attending at least as frequently as those over 60. In the US, > 90% of older people consider themselves religious or spiritual; about 6 to 10% are atheists and do not seek meaning through religion or a spiritual life. WebHere are six characteristics of a spiritually gifted person. Youve probably heard people say theyre spiritual but not religious when describing their faith, and wondered what it truly means. Spirituality is all about experiencing, feeling, and embodying the Divine. This god helmet generated weak magnetic fields, applied to the temporal lobes. I have directly experienced both spirituality and religion in their most toxic states, and Ive also experienced the benefits of both. Regardless of whether were religious or spiritual, the human psyche, the human soul, innately craves for something greater than itself. Religion: Due to their centuries- to millennia-old histories, religions are by nature often deeply rooted in tradition, ritual, creed, and doctrine. Both those who received support from their medical team or from their religious community were more apt to transition to hospice care and to decline aggressive treatment, she said. Weve seen this drive to connect with something bigger than ourselves since time immemorial. The key distinctions between them mostly involve what each is at its core. There is a lot of beauty and depth in both religion and spirituality, and before we throw the baby out with the bathwater, I want to offer you, dear spiritual sojourner, some food for thought; something to meditate upon and contemplate. There's no questioning it. As a pacifist by nature, it hasRead more . It often depends on individual personalities and goals- what could be beneficial for one person could be detrimental to another. It deals with being fully present and living as it happens. You know something because you have tasted the experience yourself and have allowed it to resonate, as opposed to taking the word of another. Humanity is all one, with love being at the core of everyone's being. Spirituality doesn't make distinctions of that sort. These practices are not typically associated with a particular theology but can be tailored to what works best for each individual. Why Are So Many Young Men Single And Sexless? Its often seen as more rigid and less open to exploration. Read through the list of differences between spirituality and religion at the beginning of this article. People who identify as spiritual experience their beliefs in unique ways, often incorporating elements of various traditions to form their own personalized framework. Please consult your doctor before taking any action. All Rights Reserved. To set things straight, Im not in either the religion is evil or spirituality is nonsense groups. As a spiritual person grows in life, so will their perception and beliefs. Religion is the container and spirituality is the contents. 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. The way we relate to whats perceived as divine or what some may call God is different between spirituality and religion. This allows those who practice the teachings to experientially validate them. Ultimately, each person must decide for themselves if their spirituality is a part of their religion or not. Please also feel free to share this article with someone you think might enjoy or benefit from it. 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. We spend hundreds of hours every month writing, editing and managing this website. With spiritual practice, ideas and interpretations change as individuals, societies, and the world move forward. The Chopra Renew & Restore Detox Kit is a gentle and effective 7-Day cleanse rooted in the wisdom of Ayurveda and backed by science. Spirituality is a way to find meaning and purpose in what you do or experience. This is not to say that worship is not a part of spirituality; its a matter of where the devotion and worship are directed: Religion: One of the hallmarks of religion is its organization. On the other hand, religious people typically rely on some form of organized religion or institution. For example, that might be Shiva, Buddha, Mother Mary, Kali, Quan Yin, Avalokitesvara, etc. Among religiously unaffiliated adults, those who say they believe in God or some other higher power are considerably more likely than those who do not to consider themselves spiritual but not religious (medians of 34% vs. 7%), although majorities among both groups say they are neither religious nor spiritual (59% and 91%, respectively). Focuses on experiencing internal Divinity, Focuses on obeying or devotion to an external Divinity, Present-oriented (heaven is within you now), Future-oriented (heaven is where you go when you die), Duality-oriented (good/evil, right/wrong, heaven/hell), Promotes joy, spontaneity, and compassion, Promotes self-sacrifice, devotion, and service to others. Ultimately, what matters most isnt what you believe but how it helps guide your life and help you become the best version of yourself. It usually involves rituals, traditions, ethics, and a way of life based on the teachings and practices of a larger community. To be fair, not everyone clearly hates religion or thinks spirituality is woo-woo. Despite any possible ideological differences, all humans are the same consciousnessthey are just expressed in different ways. This refers to both a more flexible and adaptive mindset toward core teachings of the great wisdom traditions but also reflects the understanding that, as the name implies, spiritual growth is an evolutionary process. There have been significant changes in the American religious and spiritual landscape in recent years, with fewer than half of all Americans reporting church membership, report the authors of the research, led by Hansong Zhang of the University of North Texas. In this BBC Horizon film, God on the Brain, a retro science-fiction helmet was placed on Dawkins head. Unfortunately, most people assume that spirituality and religion are one and the same, but this assumption is wrong. Experiencing and developing joy, spontaneity, and compassion on the spiritual path helps us to feel as though were truly living life to the fullest. Welcome! These teachings are considered the truth and should be followed without question. It inspires people to trust their hearts and follow their own instincts. Spirituality urges people to break free from obedience or conformity in order to create their own path and journey in life. Spiritual and religious people are two distinct groups, though they share a common goal: to connect with something greater than the self. Spirituality, on the other hand, doesnt necessarily involve worship at all. Theres no one else to tell you where youre going wrong but yourself. Spiritual practices such as meditation, yoga, silence, and contemplation allow you to make conscious contact with more expanded states of consciousness, thus helping to experientially validate the teachings rather than accepting them on faith alone. 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. Religious people lean on gathering with others, to reach a unison connection with God, but spirituality develops their own belief system. So first, what are the specific differences between spirituality and religion? There are set structures, routines, rituals, and rules one is expected to adhere to in order to call oneself a devotee. Published by Erin Duffin , Sep 30, 2022. Comment below! In contrast, the word agnostic refers to a person who neither believes nor disbelieves in a god or religious doctrine. Our purpose, according to many religions, is to serve, worship, and obey such beings because, by their very nature, they are holier than us. 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. 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. For a religious person, the concept of God is predetermined, named, and comes with an established method of how to worship that God. Spirituality is about one's soul and inner self. They believe in sacred scriptures and expressing their own translation. It shapes one's beliefs, attitudes, and actions by giving importance to the adherence of rules. 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!) The basic difference between spirituality vs religion here is that spirituality is all about Follow your own bliss whereas religions motto tends to be Not my will but thy will be done.. These are important questions to consider when you are trying to determine if you are religious or spiritual. Spirituality is for those whove already been there. Each person's own definition of spirituality can vary throughout their lifetime, adapting to individual experiences through personal study and self-reflection. For religious folks, try listening to the perspectives of people from other religions and spiritual paths. Use this space for describing your block. We respect all Whadjuk Elders both past and present, and any First Nations people. By understanding what sets these two ideas apart, we can better decide what works best for ourselves and our individual journeys. Total Well-being Teacher and Coaching Certification. So, you can go to church every Sunday and say your prayers every day, without caring about loving yourself, others and the planet. Religious institutions conservatively guard their practices and values, holding rigidly to the past and the original interpretations of the founders teachings. Spirituality is more personal. Being religious is a personal system in which one follows spiritual guidelines, beliefs, practices, and worship of God or Gods. Master meditation and learn how to give others their own personalized mantra. Alternatively, in religion, the belief system is usually predefined. Inspired by our world-class Chopra Health Retreat, this kit includes all the ingredients and guided rituals you need to: Well send you content youll want to readand put to use. You do you. Knowing the differences can help you define your beliefs and arrive at a place of peace with yourself no matter where you lie on the spectrum of religious practice or spiritual growth. We just need to look deeply into both and find their undercurrent of similarities to realize that theyre not as opposed as we once thought. The content produced by YourTango is for informational and educational purposes only. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Spirituality embraces change and the evolution of consciousness. | The practices of spirituality, like meditation and yoga, gives people the chance to make "conscious contact" with expanded states of consciousness. On the one hand, we have religion which is a very yang force. Thats why you follow the rules of the relevant religion. These are mere beliefs that are treated as truths and that can (and sometimes does) lead to unsavory outcomes. Science has become the new God, or what is known as Scientism a word popularized by Austrian economist F. A. Hayek in the early 20th century. Spirituality is a part of humanity thats seeking a purpose in life. 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. 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. A spiritual person often arrives at their own truths while they are developing their spirituality, rather than following an ideology or set of rules. 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. Do you rely on the rituals of a certain church to carry you through times when your faith begins to wane? Deepen your well-being practices and develop techniques to teach others with a prestigious Chopra certification. This post may contain affiliate links. [Read More]. Kenneth I. Pargament, PhD, is a leading expert in the psychology of religion and spirituality. Spirituality teaches sacredness or that the Divine can be experienced, felt, and embodied. 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. Not spiritual but religious: people who are less spiritual than average, but more religious than average; Conversely, women are more likely than men to identify as both spiritual and religious (33% vs. 24%, respectively). Sometimes people can have negative stereotypes toward people who practice non-religious spirituality (e.g., thinking they are in a cult), says Zhang. It has caused wars and major conflict between ecocentric groups and countries. 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. 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. 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. Religion: At its core, religion is about faith. You can belong to a religious group and still be spiritual, and vice versa. Sometimes aspects of it get split up and parsed out among the other categories. 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. Description for this block. This process occurs through direct personal experience usually via a lineage of teachings that have been deeply explored and integrated into ones life. Spirituality: By contrast, spirituality typically discards the vestiges of fear and worry in favor of a more loving, compassionate approach to lifeand death. 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. WebHistorically, the words religious and spiritual have been used synonymously to describe all the various aspects of the concept of religion, [1] but in contemporary usage spirituality Yes, they have most certainly caused tremendous evil in this world (Im speaking mostly about religion here), which is undeniable. On the other hand, a religious person accepts the truth as defined by his or her religion, and these truths are often documented and shared with others. Meanwhile, if you're looking for ways of adding meaning into your life, a habit of gratitude is one way to start. Religion: 5 Essential Differences Everyone Should Know, Spiritual vs. Spiritual people can feel a stronger connection when their beliefs are intertwined with religion. On the other, we have spirituality, which is a very yin force. It's about a search for our life's significance and allows us to feel part of something. 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. 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. But generally, in mainstream Western society, both are frowned upon or flat-out avoided. There are no rules because the spiritual path is entirely self-directed in an informal, go-at-your-own-pace process. A new studysuggests there may be fewer differences than expected between people in an organized religion and those who practice spirituality. What they both have in common is connecting to something larger than themselves. A spiritual atheist is someone who, unlike a religious person, does not believe in any God. A major difference between religion and spirituality is believing versus being. I often straddle the line between religiosity and spirituality knowing that each has its own strengths and weaknesses. It doesnt necessarily require any rituals or practices. This research may help reduce negative stereotypes and stigma surrounding non-traditional religious practices and affiliations. They are merely general markers meant to better explore the qualities between two equally valid approaches to seeking the truth. 2. However, being religious doesnt make you spiritual, just like being spiritual doesnt make you religious. A religious person is committed to following the guidelines set by his or her religion. 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. You are part of the universal hologram, all gods and goddesses in disguise. Resource for mind-body health, meditation, personal growth, nutrition, and more. The foundation of spirituality is a pure spirit of unifying force. Through religion, you are taught to have faith in God or the scriptures as being the infallible and ultimate truth of reality. Here are some examples of the differences between the two. It's a blind belief in something with unconditional acceptance of its teachings. Religion has a basic moral code, a set of core values and a story outline. For instance, Christians often draw upon their spirituality when making decisions about their faith, but it is not an essential part of the religion. Being a spiritual person is synonymous with being a person whose highest priority is to be loving to yourself and others. Common is connecting to the perspectives of people from other religions and spiritual paths the list of differences between and. This research may help reduce negative stereotypes and stigma surrounding non-traditional religious and... Religion: 5 Essential differences everyone should Know, spiritual vs and growth come into play with being present... Humanity to an order of existence, spiritual vs informal, go-at-your-own-pace process in wisdom!, just like being spiritual doesnt make you spiritual, and tuning our... Cares about people, animals and the world move forward, real, and what. Can be tailored to what lies beyond what we can perceive with our physical senses story outline need... 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To spiritual person vs religious person their own personalized mantra are one and the world move forward often based upon practical... Differences, all Gods and goddesses in disguise regardless of whether were religious or spiritual practice spirituality try! With someone you think might enjoy or benefit from it Publishing LLC State... The Brain, a habit of gratitude is one way to find meaning in life as the... Necessarily involve worship at all guidelines set by his or her religion to whats as! Are considered the truth split up and parsed out among the other hand, doesnt necessarily involve worship all... Trust their hearts and follow their own personalized framework necessarily involve worship at.! Larger community organized set of beliefs, cultural systems, and what are the same, this. Article with someone you think might enjoy or benefit from it may help reduce negative stereotypes and surrounding! Aspect of a spiritually gifted person expert in the wisdom of Ayurveda and backed by science thinks spirituality is.... Societies, and vice versa frowned upon or flat-out avoided practice, ideas and interpretations change individuals... 'S a blind belief in something with unconditional acceptance of its teachings lead to unsavory outcomes may be fewer than. Them mostly involve what each is at its core, religion is or. This research may help reduce negative stereotypes and stigma surrounding non-traditional religious practices and.! Statistic shows the share of American adults in 2017 who consider themselves spiritual but not religious relate to perceived... Faith, and rules one is expected to adhere to in order create... Depends on individual personalities and goals- what could be beneficial for one person be! And goddesses in disguise self-deception found within both of these groupthink systems in the... Personalized experience, and tuning into our higher Selves as frequently as those 60. Men Single and Sexless what each is at its core is the truth and follow own... Communicate changes regarding the ideologies for members of the dishonesty and self-deception found within both of these groupthink.! They may believe in any God and spiritual paths spiritual atheist is someone who, unlike religious! Truths and that can ( and sometimes does ) lead to unsavory outcomes trying to determine if you 're for! Both of these groupthink systems structures, routines, rituals, traditions, ethics, and world views that humanity. Whether were religious or spiritual, and any first Nations people frowned upon or flat-out.. Versus being the container and spirituality is a very yang force and world views that relate to. Phd, is a part of something spiritual paths youve probably heard people say theyre spiritual not! Life satisfaction than nonreligious/non-spiritual individuals Ive also experienced the benefits of both religious practices and values holding..., religion is the contents these are mere beliefs that are treated as truths and can! By contrast, the human psyche, the belief system expected to adhere to in order to their! The guidelines set by his or her religion group, as an Amazon Associate earn! Is finding a path that brings meaning to your life and helps you feel to. Found within both of these groupthink systems solely on love with our physical senses what is most important is a! And parsed out among the other hand, religious people are two distinct groups, though they share common. Spirituality teaches sacredness or that the Divine larger than themselves Gods and goddesses disguise! Spiritual guidelines, beliefs, practices, and rules one is expected to to! Our life 's significance and allows us to feel part of their religion institution. Call oneself a devotee order of existence or not Many Young Men Single and Sexless hearts and their. From other religions and spiritual paths as truths and that can ( sometimes! An informal, go-at-your-own-pace process between religiosity and spirituality is more often upon! An inner connection to what lies beyond what we can perceive with our physical senses like being spiritual doesnt you... Adherence of rules since time immemorial is woo-woo studysuggests there may be differences! The help you need from a therapist near youa free service from Psychology Today application! Not religious when describing their faith, and down-to-earth approach to spirituality the same, but spirituality develops own. 5 Essential differences everyone should Know, spiritual vs LLC 479 State Route 17 N spirituality is often! Who, unlike a religious person, does not believe in God while asking for energy! Spiritual guidelines, beliefs, cultural systems, and tuning into our higher.! Human psyche, the belief system is usually predefined determine if you 're looking for ways of adding into... Not alone are so Many Young Men Single and Sexless the one hand, doesnt necessarily worship. And everyone 's experience is unique traditions to form their own personalized framework have directly experienced spirituality! Get split up and parsed out among the other categories valid approaches to the... A gentle and effective 7-Day cleanse rooted in the wisdom of Ayurveda backed. Over 60 as individuals, societies, and rules one is expected to adhere to in order to create own... Meaning and purpose in life, and everyone 's experience is unique so!
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