What Is the Difference Between Religion and Spirituality?Posted by Mullen Moss on May 22nd, 2021 Have you ever heard someone say they're spiritual but not religious? This is the common answer for people who do not follow a particular religion, but who believe in a higher power. What's the difference between religion and spirituality? This question is a difficult someone to approach, and the solution will greatly be determined by who you ask, but in simplistic terms: religion is a "pathway to God" and spirituality is a broader term, encompassing religion, essentially saying there's a connection between humanity and something "larger." Religion There are numerous religions practiced all over the world, and several followers will argue that their religion may be the one to follow and have confidence in. Commonly practiced religions include: Paganism, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Muslim, Confucianism, Daois, Asatru, Atheist and Agnostic, Pantheist, New Age and the list continues on. Each religion comes with their own set of beliefs about who "God" is (or whether He even exists in the first place) and how to exist through Him, to attain the greatest afterlife. Each religion has its set of beliefs regarding what happens to those who usually do not practice because they should, and their own interpretations of their Holy books, like the Bible, or the Koran. Regardless of what religion you claim to be, you have your personal thoughts and feelings about its core values, and you also come in control of how well you live by them. Nobody person can say a particular religion is preferable to another for any fact. When you choose a religion to follow, you choose the main one you best identify with, and will believe in the most. Spirituality Those who are spiritual usually do not necessarily go without religion, but those that do not identify with a specific religion can still consider themselves as "spiritual." Those who believe human existence to become a fraction of the entire equation, that is, those that believe humanity to be a section of something larger, are spiritual. They could not have the answers in regards to what that larger something is, plus they may not understand how to describe it, but they do not believe we are here because the sole creation. It isn't necessarily "God" they believe in, however they don't discount the existence of an increased power. Religion gives individuals who follow them a specific group of beliefs to greatly help them fine tune their spirituality, while those that do not follow a religion tend to be more open to interpretation of these own beliefs, based on what they know and experience in their day-to-day lives. Regardless of what check here may or may not follow, spirituality is a broader term that encompasses everything. Though you may never follow any religion, or you might choose to change your religion, everything falls under being spiritual. Only it is possible to decide what it means to be "religious" or what this means to be "spiritual."Like it? Share it! More by this author |