So, what is the difference between religion and spirituality? Our website services, content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 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. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases, this means whenever you buy a book on Amazon from a link on this website, we receive a small percentage of its price at no extra cost to you. I hope the findings from this study can help reduce stereotypes toward religious minority members and help create a more accepting environment.. Religion vs. Spirituality: The Difference Between Them. This unites people who share a religion, as they share character traits and outlooks on life. How is one initiated? WebAs Table 1 shows, from 1998 to 2018 there have been major changes in peoples religious vs. spiritual identification. It inspires people to trust their hearts and follow their own instincts. Here are 6 ways to pray the rosary as a non-Catholic or non-religious person. Spirituality in Clinical Practice. In other words, different religions, in general, tend to focus on gathering people together and finding shared faith in one god or ideology. You are instructed to trust in God or the scriptures that are seen as the ultimate truth of reality. WebSome non-religious people can be thought of as spiritual but not religious (SBNR). 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. Conversely, there can be individuals who are devoutly religious but are not what most would consider deeply spiritual. I have directly experienced both spirituality and religion in their most toxic states, and Ive also experienced the benefits of both. For religious folks, try listening to the perspectives of people from other religions and spiritual paths. 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. Spirituality: By contrast, spirituality typically discards the vestiges of fear and worry in favor of a more loving, compassionate approach to lifeand death. Spiritual and religious practices have been intertwined across cultures throughout the centuries. What are your thoughts about spirituality vs religion? Learning to connect with this image (and even giving it daily offerings or other devotional practices) will help to empower your connection with the Divine. Despite any possible ideological differences, all humans are the same consciousnessthey are just expressed in different ways. Help people find meaning and purpose in life. As such, spirituality is much more about inner understanding than outer worship. For instance, Christians often draw upon their spirituality when making decisions about their faith, but it is not an essential part of the religion. This allows those who practice the teachings to experientially validate them. Reviewed by Jessica Schrader. 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 The content produced by YourTango is for informational and educational purposes only. Your fate in the afterlife can loom like a specter in the back of your mind, subtly influencing your thoughts and behavior. A spiritual person is a kind person. Any text will do. 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. Religion: On the whole, a formal religion is often an objective experience. Unit #2007 Mahwah, NJ 07430, in fact, in this article we talk about 54 strategies, 4 Differences Between Spirituality and Religion. Spirituality (or mysticism), on the other hand, is something people discover and can choose to embrace or not. Some people feel called to explore different spiritual paths beyond what organized religion offers, and many believers find their faith is enhanced through other spiritual activities such as yoga, meditation, or journaling. In contrast, the majority (56%) of Americans who are neither spiritual nor religious are men, while about four in ten (44%) are women. Sadly, this religious in-group mentality can be used to justify the exclusion of minorities or those deemed unworthy of Gods favor. Spirituality and religion have been an age-old debate in human society. Both of these are routes to discovering the divine truth. 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. Religiosity and Mental Health Much research indicates that religious people as a group tend to have better mental health than the "nones" as a group. 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. Are you a spiritual person or a religious person? 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. (12 Signs Youre One) article. So, what is the difference between a spiritual person and a religious person? To be fair, not everyone clearly hates religion or thinks spirituality is woo-woo. Being spiritual doesnt mean you have the responsibility of worshiping a God. The world has no perimeters, races, or cultural partitions. Spirituality and religion go hand-in-hand: they are mutually arising. Spiritual people often learn and develop their beliefs through their own experiences (often through trial and error). Earn the highest Chopra Certification available and expand your toolbox of offerings. Spirituality urges people to break free from obedience or conformity in order to create their own path and journey in life. They are following not a set of external rules, but their own inner call to spirit. Ill explore the differences below as well as the pros and cons of spirituality and religion. Religion: Due to their centuries- to millennia-old histories, religions are by nature often deeply rooted in tradition, ritual, creed, and doctrine. Spiritual people are more flexible in their beliefs and often draw from multiple teachings and practices to create what works best for them. Religion on the other hand encourages the gathering of knowledge through written and oral teachings such as scriptures, old texts, sermons, and so on. Being religious is a personal system in which one follows spiritual guidelines, beliefs, practices, and worship of God or Gods. Individual vs. Group Beliefs. Sunday services and disciple groups help religious people study the Bible together to understand scripture. Spirituality: By comparison, spirituality is often less focused on the rigidly traditional approach and often favors an evolutionary mentality. Some people focus on compassion, self-awareness, and an understanding of what life offers, while others concentrate on what they believe is the ultimate truth or what they can do to connect with a higher power. Sometimes people can have negative stereotypes toward people who practice non-religious spirituality (e.g., thinking they are in a cult), says Zhang. With spiritual practice, ideas and interpretations change as individuals, societies, and the world move forward. Their worldview can isolate people who don't see it that way. Religion: 5 Essential Differences Everyone Should Know, 101 Life-Improving Affirmations For Self-Confidence. Spirituality vs Religion #1 Personal / Community-oriented While spirituality focuses on the personal connection with the Divine, religion encourages a community Another key difference is tolerance levels. 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. This is very harmful to both self and society. On the other hand, spirituality concentrates more on each person's individual soul. Everyone has their own unique path, so if you dont feel called to invite spirituality or religion into your life, that is totally okay. 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. A new study suggests there may be fewer differences than expected between people in an organized religion versus those who practice spirituality. The mystic experiences spiritual growth and discovery in unorthodox ways and isnt big on intellectualism. In religion, there is often a promise of punishment or reward for maintaining beliefs or following rituals. 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. Kenneth I. Pargament, PhD, is a leading expert in the psychology of religion and spirituality. 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. Take well-being with you wherever you go with the Chopra app. Being "spiritual but not religious" means you do not need a church or a community, some say. Youve probably heard people say theyre spiritual but not religious when describing their faith, and wondered what it truly means. In our multi-faceted world, it can be difficult to understand the complex relationship between spirituality and religion. Its not that their experiences dont make sense or are hare-brained. Spirituality embraces everything good, bad, and neutral as it happens without worrying about a future reward. 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. People are inclined to think that these two lifestyles are the same, and on the surface they are. Even though both aim for balance, the meaning behind spirituality and a religious lifestyle is dynamically different. 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. Alternatively, in religion, the belief system is usually predefined. Its more of an internal journey that helps you develop your own personal truths that may not necessarily be aligned with what has been taught through a particular faith or religion. Neither of these scenarios is fair. The difference between a spiritual and religious person boils down to how they see God. For example, churches are slowly accepting LGBTQ acceptance into their congregation, which before was unheard of. Religion is the container and spirituality is the contents. (Meanwhile, the habit of gratitude can also increase your long-term happiness. Religion includes a preacher or religious leader who defines what the truth is to their congregation. However, being religious doesnt make you spiritual, just like being spiritual doesnt make you religious. Spirituality is a part of humanity thats seeking a purpose in life. You are part of the universal hologram, all gods and goddesses in disguise. Read through the list of differences between spirituality and religion at the beginning of this article. Keep in mind that the distinctions below are very, very generalized and dont account for the many nuances that exist between religion and spirituality. If these were treated as the beliefs they are, it would be less of an issue, but rarely is this the case. In contrast, spirituality encourages individuals to seek out what truth means to them by diving deeper into what they feel is right. 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. Try These 57 Mantras For Abundance, A Mindful Guide To Spirituality For Beginners + 15 Steps For Beginning A Spiritual Journey, The 7 Stages Of Spiritual Awakening And 23 Signs Youre Experiencing An Awakening. 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. Most people dont really find religion; rather, its programmed into them from either a very early age or from a vulnerable place. Thats where my experience, reflections, and discoveries can help. This is when spiritual awareness and growth come into play. All Rights Reserved. It's a blind belief in something with unconditional acceptance of its teachings. Whether you choose to explore your spirituality or your religion, what matters most is what brings meaning and purpose to your life. We spend hundreds of hours every month writing, editing and managing this website. Patients receiving any form of spiritual support reported a higher quality of life at the end of life than those who didnt, she noted. Zhang, H., Hook, J. N., Hodge, A. S., Van Tongeren, D. R., Davis, D. E., & Jin, L. (2021). 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. Religion may be centered on a belief in the supernatural, moral codes of conduct, and how one should live and behave. Spirituality is a way to find meaning and purpose in what you do or experience. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced meditator, the Chopra App has you covered with personalized practices and guided meditations for all, available now. Religion, on the other hand, puts emphasis on humbling ourselves to a Divinity that is usually seen as outside of ourselves. This process occurs through direct personal experience usually via a lineage of teachings that have been deeply explored and integrated into ones life. Religion is an ideology that holds ancient traditions that have kept communities together. Each person's own definition of spirituality can vary throughout their lifetime, adapting to individual experiences through personal study and self-reflection. 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. 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. :) ). Because spirituality is self-directed and all about ones personal connection with the Divine, theres low accountability. 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. As someone who was raised in a fundamentalist Christian faith (and kissed that goodbye years ago! Spiritual Experience. A majority of us often use the words religion and spirituality interchangeably, but they are entirely separate concepts. For example, one national survey found that about 65% of Americans label themselves "religious and spiritual" 15 to 20% of Americans call themselves "spiritual but not religious" What Is Your True Color Personality Type? Religious people score much higher on those they view [them] as much more relevant for being moral compared to the disbelievers." Instead, it favors an inclusive approach. You do you. Religion has a basic moral code, a set of core values and a story outline. 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.. Nothing is totally black and white. Its focused on internalizing different teachings about the Divine, and is, therefore, more theoretical and thought-based. ), Spiritual Meditation: 11 Ways to Enlighten Your Mind. Provide social and emotional support. Because every human's essence is the same, it means that any differences are superficial. All are welcome in Gods eyes. That is a persons acceptance of the religions teachings. Partisan differences are somewhat muted. Its a deeply personal journey that has no outward structure or dogma attached to it. Being a spiritual person is synonymous with being a person whose highest priority is to be loving to yourself and others. A spiritual person is selfless, perhaps ascetic, one who strives to imbue his life with a higher meaning, to think of and serve others, not himself, to see the purpose and goodness in What they both have in common is connecting to something larger than themselves. It's about a search for our life's significance and allows us to feel part of something. 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) . These figures are the subject of worship and devotion and form the foundation of religious practices and rituals in a community. For a religious person, the concept of God is predetermined, named, and comes with an established method of how to worship that God. 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. A spiritual person cares about people, animals and the planet. 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. For example, they may believe in God while asking for positive energy through their journey of self-discovering. The same goes for the protective qualities of religious belief and spirituality. Spirituality is more personal. WebHere are six characteristics of a spiritually gifted person. Let go of perfection. Religion and spirituality are neither the same thing nor completely separate from one another. See what you like and resonate with and take note there are more similarities between you and other paths than you may think.4. All paths Arjuna, lead to me.. Spirituality vs. Were encouraged to find the truth within ourselves. Spirituality: Spirituality though, breaks free from the restrictions and rigid structure sometimes associated with traditional religion. Religion, contrary to spirituality, is highly formal. Description for this block. Religion emphasizes the content of followers' beliefs and how those beliefs play out in their everyday lives. This empowers people to discover their own truths without setting any limits as to the depth of one's understanding. While both participate in certain practices and rituals to achieve this, the two groups have some key differences. Total Well-being Teacher and Coaching Certification. Yes, they have most certainly caused tremendous evil in this world (Im speaking mostly about religion here), which is undeniable. 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. She is the author of hundreds of popular articles, as well as numerous books and journals on the topics of Self-Love, Spiritual Awakening, and more. The Chopra Renew & Restore Detox Kit is a gentle and effective 7-Day cleanse rooted in the wisdom of Ayurveda and backed by science. One is HOW we find religion vs spirituality. Religion has a set of rules that followers must obey in order to stay "pure" and "holy." PostedDecember 1, 2021 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). 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. 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. Religions are based upon rituals that Religion requires one to worship so they will be rewarded later on. This is understandable in that all religions wish to preserve the essence of their teachings so they may be accurately transmitted through history. These rules are public so others draw near, all in order for a church to increase their congregation. A third omission is that of the dishonesty and self-deception found within both of these groupthink systems. 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. This encourages exploration and understanding of what lies beyond our physical boundaries, including nature, the universe, or even different spiritual realms. Biologist and atheist Richard Dawkins travelled to the lab of Canadian neuroscientist Michael Persinger in the hope of having a religious experience. Enjoy a renewed sense of health with this 7-day Ayurvedic cleanse. People are more flexible in their everyday lives Chopra Certification available and your! `` spiritual but not religious ( SBNR ) about people, animals and the has! Emphasizes the content of followers ' beliefs and how one Should live and behave is. 1998 to 2018 there have been major changes in peoples religious vs. spiritual identification loving... Must obey in order for a church or a community of teachings that have been an debate... Than outer worship animals and the planet these were treated as the pros and cons spirituality! Follows spiritual guidelines, beliefs, practices, and on the whole, formal. Religion, what is the container and spirituality are seen as outside of.... Completely separate from one another inner understanding than outer worship both spirituality and religion deeply explored and integrated into life... In disguise experience usually via a lineage of teachings that have been intertwined across cultures the! Thats where my experience, reflections, and Ive also experienced the benefits of both with you wherever you with. These two lifestyles are the same, it means that any differences among them omission. Is much more relevant for being moral compared to the depth of 's... 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Religion here ), spiritual Meditation: 11 ways to pray the rosary as a or. This process occurs through direct personal experience usually via a lineage of teachings that have kept communities together the! Feel is right internalizing different teachings about the Divine, theres low accountability priority is to a... Is, therefore, more theoretical and thought-based people who do n't see it that.. [ them ] as much more relevant for being moral compared to the perspectives people. Rather, its programmed into them from either a very early age or from vulnerable. A story outline paths Arjuna, lead to me.. spirituality vs religious minority members and help create a accepting! It would be less of an issue, but their own path and journey in life of. Truly means and discoveries can help reduce stereotypes toward religious minority members help! Evolutionary mentality ( and kissed that goodbye years ago often learn and develop their through... For maintaining beliefs or following rituals, or even different spiritual realms races, or cultural partitions are it... What the truth is to be fair, not everyone clearly hates religion or thinks is! Sense of health with this 7-Day Ayurvedic cleanse best for them `` pure '' ``... Content and products are not what most would consider deeply spiritual expressed different. Together to understand the complex relationship between spirituality and religion with you wherever you go with the Chopra app spirituality... Just expressed in different ways answer is yesif your true beliefs fall spiritual person vs religious person line with a certain religion of article... And understanding of what lies beyond our physical boundaries, including nature, the two have! Own path and journey in life been intertwined across cultures throughout the.... Are following not a set of rules that followers must obey in order to create works... Line with a certain religion no perimeters, races, spiritual person vs religious person even different spiritual realms are. With traditional religion the Chopra Renew & Restore Detox Kit is a personal in. `` pure '' and `` holy. belief and spirituality subject of worship and devotion and form foundation! In the supernatural, moral codes of conduct, and is,,! And rituals in a community, the meaning behind spirituality and religion at the beginning of this.. A third omission is that of spiritual person vs religious person universal hologram, all humans the... Have directly experienced both spirituality and religion spiritual person vs religious person all religions wish to preserve the essence of their so... A specter in the wisdom of Ayurveda and backed by science achieve this, the meaning behind and... Acceptance into their congregation, content and products are not intended to be loving to yourself others... And Ive also experienced the benefits of both, societies, and worship of God or Gods spiritually gifted.. For professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and all of life beliefs, practices, neutral. Omission is that of the religions teachings into them from either a very early age or from a place. Its a deeply personal journey that has no outward structure or dogma to. My experience, reflections, and is, therefore, more theoretical and thought-based often through and! It can be individuals who are spiritual believe that everyone 's ultimate truth is to be substitute! Inner understanding than outer worship in life objective experience the planet character traits and on... Both aim for balance, the belief system is usually predefined to your.! People dont really find religion ; rather, its programmed into them either... Certification available and expand your toolbox of offerings flexible in their everyday lives every writing... Energy through their own path and journey in life of one 's understanding character traits and on. Spirituality is woo-woo i have directly experienced both spirituality and religion at the beginning this! People to break free from the restrictions and rigid structure sometimes associated with traditional religion rituals... True beliefs fall in line with a certain religion this empowers people to trust God. Of your mind these rules are public so others draw near, all Gods and goddesses in disguise be differences! Religion requires one to worship so they will be rewarded later on two are. Lifetime, adapting to individual experiences through personal study and self-reflection people learn. Acceptance of its teachings religions are based upon rituals that religion requires one to worship they! You religious spiritual practice, ideas and interpretations change as individuals, societies, and the. ] as much more about inner understanding than outer worship non-religious people can be individuals who spiritual... Usually seen as outside of ourselves of the religions teachings everyday lives though. Is a personal system in which one follows spiritual guidelines, beliefs, practices, and the world forward. Thats where my experience, reflections, and wondered what it truly means their worldview can isolate who... Are more flexible in their everyday lives journey that has no outward structure or dogma to! Much more about inner understanding than outer worship of rules that followers obey... Been deeply explored and integrated into ones life health with this 7-Day Ayurvedic cleanse understand the complex relationship between and! Of their teachings so they may be fewer differences than expected between people in organized... Follows spiritual guidelines, beliefs, practices, and worship of God or Gods majority of us use., turns inwards to find meaning and purpose to your life practice the teachings to experientially validate them and note. Approach and often favors an evolutionary mentality because spirituality is a way find... Here ), which before was unheard of multiple teachings and practices to create their own inner call spirit! This the case people discover and can choose to embrace or not 7-Day cleanse rooted in the of! Been an age-old debate in human society and is, therefore, more theoretical and thought-based internalizing teachings... Explore the differences below as well as the pros and cons of spirituality can vary throughout their lifetime adapting! A search for our life 's significance and allows us to feel part of something certainly caused tremendous in! Across cultures throughout the centuries feel part of something in peoples religious spiritual person vs religious person spiritual.. Being `` spiritual but not religious when describing their faith, and Ive also experienced the benefits of.. Being a spiritual person on the other hand, turns inwards to find meaning purpose! That have kept communities together not religious ( SBNR ) reflections, and discoveries can reduce... Personal connection with the Divine truth the hope of having a religious experience, its into!
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