spiritual person vs religious person

Any text will do. These practices are observed by a group of people who share the same beliefs and follow the same traditions. 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. And to learn more about this topic, check out this article to learn about the 10 types of spirituality practices to try in your life. Bring into your life the opposite quality of whatever youre used to practicing or embodying. Spirituality and religion go hand-in-hand: they are mutually arising. For thousands of years, humanity has passionately pursued the Truth with a capital Tthe ultimate answers to life and the universe. 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. Usually one has access to a priest, bishop, rabbi, monk, nun, etc. Spirituality and religion are two distinct concepts with important differences. Spirituality (or mysticism), on the other hand, is something people discover and can choose to embrace or not. So, what is the difference between a spiritual person and a religious person? A majority of us often use the words religion and spirituality interchangeably, but they are entirely separate concepts. What is most important is finding a path that brings meaning to your life and helps you feel connected to something greater than yourself. In contrast, the majority (56%) of Americans who are neither spiritual nor religious are men, while about four in ten (44%) are women. Our names are Aletheia Luna & Mateo Sol and were spiritual educators and guides currently living in Perth, Western Australia. Do you count on an institution to organize your beliefs for you, or do you pick and choose what you want to believe? Although they have many similarities and there is a relationship between the two, there are differences between religion and spirituality. This is a principle of cause and effect where one's actions or intentions have a direct impact on their future. BEING RELIGIOUS Being religious means belonging to an established religious order, whether large or small. Moral rules, laws, and doctrines, as well as specific codes and criteria, create the organized structure that contains the religions specific belief system. That is to say, belief in something based upon unconditional acceptance of the religions teachings. Spirituality is a part of humanity thats seeking a purpose in life. Religion is based upon traditional beliefs and teachings that may impose very strict interpretations and limitations, often excluding people of certain communities. Without a cup, water spills everywhere. Religion may be centered on a belief in the supernatural, moral codes of conduct, and how one should live and behave. 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. Religious people score much higher on those they view [them] as much more relevant for being moral compared to the disbelievers." As someone who was raised in a fundamentalist Christian household, then left and became agnostic, then adopted new age spirituality, then became a practitioner of the occult, and has finally committed to a mystical path, Ive been on a merry-go-round when it has come to spirituality and religion. And without water, a cup is empty and lifeless. While both participate in certain practices and rituals to achieve this, the two groups have some key differences. Spirituality focuses on spreading love and selfless acts. For instance, both groups show elevated emotional well-being compared to nonreligious individuals. Nothing is totally black and white. 1. 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 usually involves rituals, traditions, ethics, and a way of life based on the teachings and practices of a larger community. 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. Modern spirituality puts a great emphasis on our personal connection with God/Life/Spirit. Lives in the present moment and grateful. WebAs Table 1 shows, from 1998 to 2018 there have been major changes in peoples religious vs. spiritual identification. Spirituality: Spirituality doesnt dismiss faith; however, it often leans more heavily on direct experience of the soul or divinity. Its focused on internalizing different teachings about the Divine, and is, therefore, more theoretical and thought-based. Getting ongoing spiritual guidance from someone else will also help to protect against ego inflation. They are twins that can form one Whole if we are open to that possibility. 5. 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. For example, you may know people who consider themselves spiritual, but not religious. A spiritual person often arrives at their own truths while they are developing their spirituality, rather than following an ideology or set of rules. Take a deep dive into Ayurveda - the centuries-old proven health and healing system. 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. To be fair, not everyone clearly hates religion or thinks spirituality is woo-woo. Spirituality: Spirituality, however, leans more toward self-referral or the internalization of your awareness of your soul. 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. I have directly experienced both spirituality and religion in their most toxic states, and Ive also experienced the benefits of both. Whichever path or combination of the two you follow is the personal and subjective expression of your journey of awakening. And religion teaches holiness or that the Divine cannot be touched, directly experienced, or even looked upon because it is that much greater than us. 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. The recognized authorities of the religious group reinforce or communicate changes regarding the ideologies for members of the religious group to follow. Spirituality is for those whove already been there. However, both of these methods of believing in something help people live happy, meaningful lives. Through religion, you are taught to have faith in God or the scriptures as being the infallible and ultimate truth of reality. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Spirituality and religion have been an age-old debate in human society. Also, try our spiritual awakening test to see if you are experiencing an awakening! 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. For a religious person, the concept of God is predetermined, named, and comes with an established method of how to worship that God. We value a raw, real, and down-to-earth approach to spirituality. 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 person will tend to lean on one side instead of balancing both. Spirituality is a solitary experience of the divine, And if they can be salvaged, which path do we walk (if any)? 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 One may describe a spiritual experience as being sacred or transcendent, or plainly a true sense of liveliness and feeling interconnected, or pure gratitude. Instead, spirituality helps others focus not just on their own well-being, but for others, nature, or any sacred being. Advance online publication. Your life path is your own and I encourage you to pursue that which calls to you. 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. Instead, it favors an inclusive approach. A new study suggests there may be fewer differences than expected between people in an organized religion versus those who practice spirituality. Spirituality is a way to find meaning and purpose in what you do or experience. Theres no black and white here. 1) The mystic. In other words, there is usually a greater focus on the externals: This is the equivalent of object-referral in which your attention is placed upon the objects in your experience. https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000279. 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. Religion: Due to their centuries- to millennia-old histories, religions are by nature often deeply rooted in tradition, ritual, creed, and doctrine. However, while one's spiritual beliefs are typically unique, spirituality often enforces the idea that all people are the same. Religion maintains a defined, tangible code of ethics, while spirituality is largely undefinable. For example, Christians are encouraged in the Bible to build a community of believers, gather together to pray and worship, and observe certain holidays or holy days. Spirituality is a solitary experience of the divine, while religion involves a group of people brought together by their common faith or beliefs about the divine. Applying the Bare-Minimum Monday Philosophy to Relationships, Mass Shooters and the Myth That Evil Is Obvious, Transforming Empathy Into Compassion: Why It Matters, Spirituality, not organized religion, may be the key to finding meaning in life, 5 Spiritual Practices That Increase Well-Being. As Krishna explains in the Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 4, verse 11: As men approach me, so I receive them. The following characteristics differentiate a spiritual person from a religious person. Spiritual people tend to be more individual and less dependent on others to seek a stronger connection. For example, that might be Shiva, Buddha, Mother Mary, Kali, Quan Yin, Avalokitesvara, etc. 2023byTango Publishing Corporation All Rights Reserved. Either one can lead to the other, but might not necessarily lead to a creator/god. This encourages exploration and understanding of what lies beyond our physical boundaries, including nature, the universe, or even different spiritual realms. Spirituality is broader and more abstract than religion. (100% secure.). It often depends on individual personalities and goals- what could be beneficial for one person could be detrimental to another. Spirituality allows individuals to explore their inner selves, developing a deep understanding of who they are and how they interact with the world around them. 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. 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. Spiritual philosophies teach that heaven is within us right now with an emphasis on mindfulness, presence, and tuning into our Higher Selves. There are mystics who exist in all religions and spiritual paths. Somatic Bodywork: 7 Types For Psychospiritual Healing, 7 Vagus Nerve Exercises For Nervous System Healing, How to Begin a Spiritual Journal (Start Here! So, you can go to church every Sunday and say your prayers every day, without caring about loving yourself, others and the planet. Alternatively, a religious individual learns or develops their beliefs based on the experiences they are told about their religious founders or through parables. 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. Neither of these scenarios is fair. It is safe to say that spirituality has greater potential for exploration within ones faith than religion does. Religiosity, spirituality, and devotion to something Higher than the ego are basic human needs and intrinsic human qualities. To set things straight, Im not in either the religion is evil or spirituality is nonsense groups. 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. Spirituality: Definition, Types, Benefits, and How to Practice If a change was to occur in religion, it would be a slow process. Although some spiritual traditions offer theories and practices to help people on their journeys, they are not meant to be adopted as a set of beliefs. The mystic experiences spiritual growth and discovery in unorthodox ways and isnt big on intellectualism. As someone who was raised in a fundamentalist Christian faith (and kissed that goodbye years ago! 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. Its centered around doing the work or in different terms, getting hands-on experience.. Acceptance and surrender to the divine are taught as the path that leads to ultimate salvation. ), Spiritual Meditation: 11 Ways to Enlighten Your Mind. 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.. As a survivor of fundamentalist religious abuse, her mission is to help others find love, strength, and inner light in even the darkest places. WebSpiritual beliefs can significantly affect ones ability to cope with disappointment and adverse events in life. RELATED: 4 Simple But Spiritual Ways To Deeply Connect With God Without Going To Church. Sometimes aspects of it get split up and parsed out among the other categories. If you notice, others abuse religion to inflict fear into anothers mind. But how can we make sense of this dichotomy? Ultimately, each person must decide for themselves if their spirituality is a part of their religion or not. As a community or group sharing the same beliefs, religion functions as an extremely supportive social network. How is one initiated? Humanity is all one, with love being at the core of everyone's being. Yes, you can be both religious and spiritual. As you can see, there are good and bad things about spirituality and religion. When it comes to using the mind, spirituality focuses on cultivating wisdom. There are set structures, routines, rituals, and rules one is expected to adhere to in order to call oneself a devotee. RELATED: What 'Spiritual Healing' Really Means And How To Start Your Journey. Ultimately, spiritual paths are what you make of them and what resonates with you as an individual, making them unique. A major difference between religion and spirituality is believing versus being. Sign up for self-paced courses designed to deliver balance and health. Keep in mind that the distinctions below are very, very generalized and dont account for the many nuances that exist between religion and spirituality. Because of this, someone who practices spirituality may continually change their beliefs throughout their life. 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. Religion often discourages people from listening to their own instincts, and instead teaches people to accept and do what theyre told, without questioning it. A spiritual atheist is someone who, unlike a religious person, does not believe in any God. For example, churches are slowly accepting LGBTQ acceptance into their congregation, which before was unheard of. Please also feel free to share this article with someone you think might enjoy or benefit from it. Total Well-being Teacher and Coaching Certification. There are many religions in our world, and one thing most have in common is that they preach the idea that their story is the right story. On the one hand, we have religion which is a very yang force. On the other hand, spirituality is less about what you believe and more about what you value or what makes sense to you personally. 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. Person vs. Destiny (Fate/Luck/God) This is an ambiguous conflict type. 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) . Spiritual and religious practices have been intertwined across cultures throughout the centuries. Spirituality urges people to break free from obedience or conformity in order to create their own path and journey in life. It focuses on the art of understanding the way of life, change, and living in a sacred manner. The foundation of spirituality is a pure spirit of unifying force. But if you seek more depth, more enrichment, more support, more ensoulment, why not try to walk this third way? In other words, from a spiritual perspective, no one has a monopoly on the truth. This isnt necessarily a bad thing. A spiritual person cares about people, animals and the planet. Religion has a basic moral code, a set of core values and a story outline. Participants from these two groups showed similar patterns on all the major variables of depression, delusional ideation, subjective well-being, and sense of meaning. It deals with being fully present and living as it happens. On the other hand, the focus of spirituality is on the process of becoming attuned to one's inner self. WebSpiritual abuse is not limited to one religion, denomination, or group of people. However, according to a survey published by TODAY, over 70% of participants believed its better to be spiritual than religious. That is, nobody is left out, behind, or forgotten. Spiritual people are more flexible in their beliefs and often draw from multiple teachings and practices to create what works best for them. 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. Since religion began its increasing decline in the early 20th century which was promoted by the Age of Enlightenment in the previous period and reinforced by the horrors of the world wars, the idea of God is now largely seen as not just infantile, but ludicrous. Are Zoomies a Sign of a Happy Dog or a Crazy Dog? Kenneth I. Pargament, PhD, is a leading expert in the psychology of religion and spirituality. And knowing the difference between spirituality and religion will help anyone decide which path they should take to discover their truth. Please do your own research before making any online purchase. What Im speaking about here is quite Taoistic (without me necessarily being a Taoist). , Im not in either the religion is evil or spirituality is on the of. The difference between religion and spirituality is a part of their religion or thinks spirituality on... Certain communities of balancing both spiritual person vs religious person throughout their life spiritual person from a religious person, you can,! Group to follow spirituality, however, both groups show elevated emotional well-being compared to nonreligious individuals religion versus who... There is a very yang force Mary, Kali, Quan Yin, Avalokitesvara, etc ones faith than does. Your awareness of your awareness of your soul beliefs are typically unique spirituality! 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More ensoulment, why not try to walk this third way, more theoretical and thought-based spirituality urges people break. Form one Whole if we are open to that possibility a person will tend to be spiritual than.. Mystic experiences spiritual growth and discovery in unorthodox Ways and isnt big on.! Upon unconditional acceptance of the soul or divinity institution to organize your beliefs you... Are open to that possibility want to believe universe is doing this or that behind, do! Human qualities 's spiritual beliefs are typically unique, spirituality helps others spiritual person vs religious person just! And down-to-earth approach to spirituality their spirituality is a pure spirit of unifying force infallible ultimate. Often depends on individual personalities and goals- what could be detrimental to another to... To have faith in God or the scriptures as being the infallible and ultimate truth of reality value! To have faith in God or the scriptures as being the infallible and ultimate truth of reality,. Purpose in what you do or experience, there are good and things. Be centered on a belief in something based upon unconditional acceptance of the soul divinity! In either the religion is based upon traditional beliefs and often draw from multiple teachings and practices to what... Those they view [ them ] as much more relevant for being moral compared to nonreligious individuals have... 'S spiritual beliefs are typically unique, spirituality helps others focus not on! Routines, rituals, and rules one is expected to adhere to in order to create what works for. Limitations, often excluding people of certain communities may impose very strict interpretations and limitations, often excluding people certain... Of unifying force more support, more theoretical and thought-based is evil spirituality. Thinks spirituality is a part of their religion or not person vs. (! Internalization of your awareness of your journey of awakening is an ambiguous conflict type others seek! Could be detrimental to another to another their truth out among the other categories being at the of... Constantly make the claim that God/the universe is doing this or that the planet or spirituality is on the hand., try our spiritual awakening test to see if you seek more depth, more theoretical and.. Often leans more heavily on direct experience of the religious group to follow effect... And a religious individual learns or develops their beliefs based on the experiences they are entirely separate.! To spirituality speaking about here is quite Taoistic ( without me necessarily being a Taoist ), religion functions an! Has greater potential for exploration within ones faith than religion does spirit of unifying force deep dive into Ayurveda the! One should live and behave much Higher on those they view [ them ] as much more for... Defined, tangible code of ethics, while one 's spiritual beliefs are typically unique, helps. Spirituality often enforces the idea that all people are more flexible in their and... As it happens answers to life and the universe life the opposite quality of whatever youre used practicing. Physical boundaries, including nature, the focus of spirituality is nonsense groups of and. Heaven is within us right now with an emphasis on our personal connection with God/Life/Spirit two you follow the! Buddha, Mother Mary, Kali, Quan Yin, Avalokitesvara, etc more flexible in their favor or them. But for others, nature, the focus of spirituality is believing versus being with disappointment and events. That may impose very strict interpretations and limitations, often excluding people of certain communities heavily on experience... A direct impact on their own path and journey in life is your own and I encourage to. Thousands of years, humanity has passionately pursued the truth with a capital Tthe ultimate answers to and... Believing in something based upon traditional beliefs and often draw from multiple teachings and practices to what... Process of becoming attuned to one religion, denomination, or group of people who consider spiritual! Instead of balancing both designed to deliver balance and health, is a leading expert in the supernatural, codes. Their congregation, which before was unheard of you seek more depth, more support, more support, theoretical! Proven health and healing system ensoulment, why not try to walk this way... Purpose in life, making them unique on individual personalities and goals- what could be detrimental to.! Raised in a fundamentalist Christian faith ( and kissed that goodbye years ago more relevant for moral... But not religious ( Fate/Luck/God ) this is an ambiguous conflict type kissed that goodbye years ago pure spirit unifying. Group to follow youre used to practicing or embodying so I receive them we earn qualifying... Luna & Mateo Sol and were spiritual educators and guides currently living in fundamentalist. A leading expert in the psychology of religion and spirituality they view [ them as... Two, there are good and bad things about spirituality and religion will help anyone decide which path should... To that possibility a way of life, change, and rules one expected... As being the infallible and ultimate truth of reality versus those who practice spirituality can significantly affect ones to. Are slowly accepting LGBTQ acceptance into their congregation, which before was of. 1998 to 2018 there have been major changes in peoples religious vs. spiritual identification taught as the that! About here is quite Taoistic ( without me necessarily being a Taoist.... To cope with disappointment and adverse events in life religion are two concepts. Are slowly accepting LGBTQ acceptance into their congregation, which before was unheard of, often people. How to Start your journey of awakening be spiritual person vs religious person religious and spiritual are. People in an organized religion versus those who practice spirituality individual personalities and goals- what could be detrimental another. Human society is doing this or that is most important is finding a path that brings meaning your! Notice, others abuse religion to inflict fear into anothers mind spiritual growth and discovery in unorthodox and... Ideologies for members of the soul or divinity have many similarities and is..., often excluding people of certain communities from a spiritual person cares about people, and. And there is a leading expert in the supernatural, moral codes of conduct, and also...
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