spiritual person vs religious person

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. Religiosity, spirituality, and devotion to something Higher than the ego are basic human needs and intrinsic human qualities. 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 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. RELATED: 4 Simple But Spiritual Ways To Deeply Connect With God Without Going To Church. These practices are not typically associated with a particular theology but can be tailored to what works best for each individual. 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. ), Spiritual Meditation: 11 Ways to Enlighten Your Mind. Instead, they believe in a higher consciousness that cannot be represented as a physical being. One may describe a spiritual experience as being sacred or transcendent, or plainly a true sense of liveliness and feeling interconnected, or pure gratitude. All Rights Reserved. Spirituality also fosters a sense of interconnectedness with things beyond what we can see and touch. Please consult your doctor before taking any action. While some may find what resonates within the traditional confines of religion, others may take a more personalized approach to their spiritual practice. Please also feel free to share this article with someone you think might enjoy or benefit from it. The practices of spirituality, like meditation and yoga, gives people the chance to make "conscious contact" with expanded states of consciousness. In this BBC Horizon film, God on the Brain, a retro science-fiction helmet was placed on Dawkins head. As your spirituality grows, the more you understand that there is something greater out there, even if you dont see or understand it. These rules are public so others draw near, all in order for a church to increase their congregation. 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. Theres no one else to tell you where youre going wrong but yourself. Spirituality is more personal. These figures are the subject of worship and devotion and form the foundation of religious practices and rituals in a community. 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. Kenneth I. Pargament, PhD, is a leading expert in the psychology of religion and spirituality. 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. A religious person is committed to following the guidelines set by his or her religion. So, what is the difference between a spiritual person and a religious person? And at religions most infantile form, it can be a force of destruction that creates more division and suffering. These are mere beliefs that are treated as truths and that can (and sometimes does) lead to unsavory outcomes. 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. Purchase our best-selling 21-day and 7-day meditations. 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. These teachings are considered the truth and should be followed without question. A beach will do. Ultimately, what matters most isnt what you believe but how it helps guide your life and help you become the best version of yourself. For example, since accepting fate can be seen as an inner personal struggle, some define it as Person vs. Self instead. As you can see, there are good and bad things about spirituality and religion. 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. They are following not a set of external rules, but their own inner call to spirit. The two dance together, hand in hand or at least, they can do. 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. But there is a sublime opportunity present within the heart of both spirituality and religion. Any text will do. Lets try to clear things up by taking a closer look at the most defining differences between religious and spiritual paths. It's a blind belief in something with unconditional acceptance of its teachings. Spirituality: By contrast, spirituality is more often based upon the practical application of the founders teachings. This suggests that most people feel that spirituality is more beneficial than religion for personal growth and development. For example, that might be Shiva, Buddha, Mother Mary, Kali, Quan Yin, Avalokitesvara, etc. How Creative Expression Promotes Self-Love, Art as Meditation: How Painting Landscapes Can Promote Healing, To an external practice, object, or figurehead. In this article, we will define both and talk about four major ways they they are different from one another. 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. Start here . Provide social and emotional support. Unfortunately, most people assume that spirituality and religion are one and the same, but this assumption is wrong. Spirituality focuses on spreading love and selfless acts. Religion: Religions are most often based upon the lives, teachings, and beliefs of a historical or archetypal figure (e.g., Christ, Buddha, Moses, Krishna, Muhammad). Being a spiritual person is synonymous with being a person whose highest priority is to be loving to yourself and others. Even though both aim for balance, the meaning behind spirituality and a religious lifestyle is dynamically different. Our website services, content and products are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A spiritual persons set of beliefs evolves as they learn more through their personal study of their own spirituality. They also found that traditionally religious and nonreligious but spiritual individuals showed slightly higher levels of meaning in life (e.g., My life has a clear sense of purpose) and lower levels of delusional ideation than nonreligious/non-spiritual individuals. What Is Your True Color Personality Type? 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. Regular community service can serve as a buffer against the effects of stress, thus leading to longer lives. 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. Religion may be centered on a belief in the supernatural, moral codes of conduct, and how one should live and behave. This statistic shows the share of American adults in 2017 who consider themselves spiritual but not religious. 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. 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. WebSome non-religious people can be thought of as spiritual but not religious (SBNR). You do you. Alternatively, in religion, the belief system is usually predefined. With spirituality, self-discovery has no boundaries. Do you rely on the rituals of a certain church to carry you through times when your faith begins to wane? This isnt necessarily a bad thing. 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. However, being religious doesnt make you spiritual, just like being spiritual doesnt make you religious. Spirituality is a universal, personalized experience, and everyone's experience is unique. Final Thoughts on the Differences Between Religion and Spirituality. Religion is the belief of another mans experience written down in sacred scripture, but spirituality is the belief of ones own experience. As a pacifist by nature, it hasRead more . Whereas the word "religion" generally refers to organised forms of worship and a wider faith community, "spiritual" often describes people's private individual beliefs. 2. Often, people believe that if they do not live their lives according to their religions, they will go to hell. Americans who are spiritual but not religious are somewhat more likely to be women than men (54% vs. 46%, respectively). WebAs Table 1 shows, from 1998 to 2018 there have been major changes in peoples religious vs. spiritual identification. The mystic experiences spiritual growth and discovery in unorthodox ways and isnt big on intellectualism. You can belong to a religious group and still be spiritual, and vice versa. 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. They can also be experienced I often straddle the line between religiosity and spirituality knowing that each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Modern spirituality puts a great emphasis on our personal connection with God/Life/Spirit. 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 Religion generally involves participation in organized rituals such as prayer or meditation and attending services at places of worship. 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. If you have found any comfort, support or guidance in our work, please consider donating: document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I'd like to receive your latest weekly newsletter! We have a path of integration, depth, and tremendous power for good. First up in the types of spiritual personalities is the mystic. Yes, they have most certainly caused tremendous evil in this world (Im speaking mostly about religion here), which is undeniable. Spirituality focuses heavily on the now. Members of a religion often also follow distinctive dress codes (especially religious leaders), moral codes, and actions that are mandated by a supernatural being. Spirituality: By contrast, spirituality typically discards the vestiges of fear and worry in favor of a more loving, compassionate approach to lifeand death. You are instructed to trust in God or the scriptures that are seen as the ultimate truth of reality. The way of the mystic is this combination of annihilation annihilation of the illusion of the separate self and embodiment; of fully inhabiting exactly what is. 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. Seek what they sought.. Its often seen as more rigid and less open to exploration. WebWho is a spiritual person? Were encouraged to find the truth within ourselves. We spend hundreds of hours every month writing, editing and managing this website. If you'd like to learn more, I recommend you check out The 90-Day Gratitude Journal that provides writing prompts designed to develop your appreciation for what life's given you. So, what is the difference between religion and spirituality? Spirituality: Definition, Types, Benefits, and How to Practice 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. Everyone has their own unique path, so if you dont feel called to invite spirituality or religion into your life, that is totally okay. 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" Sometimes aspects of it get split up and parsed out among the other categories. Theres no black and white here. Religion often has a hierarchical system in which God is seen as the ultimate authority and the one who should be worshipped, obeyed, and revered above all else. Let go of perfection. Religion, on the other hand, teaches that heaven is something found in the future (usually after you die). On the other hand, spirituality is less about what you believe and more about what you value or what makes sense to you personally. This encourages exploration and understanding of what lies beyond our physical boundaries, including nature, the universe, or even different spiritual realms. In either case, there are professionals within each religion who act in positions of leadership and who represent formal aspects of the institution. Spirituality leans heavily on the personal experience of one's soul. Peace comes within the soul of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its power. Looking at four age groups (rather than two) reveals even more clearly that religious service attendance and age have not always correlated perfectly in the United States. Im not there to change that. Zhang, H., Hook, J. N., Hodge, A. S., Van Tongeren, D. R., Davis, D. E., & Jin, L. (2021). For instance, religious people are rigid in their beliefs, usually adhering to a particular set of teachings that have been taught and passed down through generations. Spiritual aspirants heed the advice of Japanese poet Matsuo Basho, Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Conversely, there can be individuals who are devoutly religious but are not what most would consider deeply spiritual. As a community or group sharing the same beliefs, religion functions as an extremely supportive social network. Even though the connection shares a major common ground, spirituality and religion differ in more ways than one. In seeking the divinewhether from a church pew on a Sunday or on top of a ridge looking at a glorious sunrisewe increase our feelings of happiness, peace, and appreciation for the life that we have. RELATED: What 'Spiritual Healing' Really Means And How To Start Your Journey. Religion is the container and spirituality is the contents. 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. Its not that their experiences dont make sense or are hare-brained. 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. Spirituality: By comparison, spirituality is often less focused on the rigidly traditional approach and often favors an evolutionary mentality. WebTraditional religion involves accountability and responsibility; spirituality has fewer requirements. Neither of these scenarios is fair. Your fate in the afterlife can loom like a specter in the back of your mind, subtly influencing your thoughts and behavior. To set things straight, Im not in either the religion is evil or spirituality is nonsense groups. And bad things spiritual person vs religious person spirituality and a religious person is committed to following the guidelines set by or! Group sharing the same beliefs, religion functions as an extremely supportive social network focused on the personal experience one! See, there are professionals within each religion who act in positions of and. No one else to tell you where youre Going wrong but yourself be Without... What resonates within the soul of people when they realize their relationship their! Though the connection shares a major common ground, spirituality, and tremendous power for good what within... Most defining differences between religious and spiritual paths make sense or are hare-brained of. Spend hundreds of hours every month writing, editing and managing this website experience, and tremendous power good! Least, they believe in a Higher consciousness that can not be represented as a pacifist nature! And often favors an evolutionary mentality study of their own spirituality 's experience is unique favors... Is usually predefined an evolutionary mentality a church to increase their congregation are seen more... The rituals of a certain church to increase their congregation a substitute for professional medical,., subtly influencing your Thoughts and behavior religious and spiritual paths, since accepting fate can be individuals are! Will define both and talk about four major ways they they are different one! Major ways they they are following not a set of beliefs evolves as they learn more through their personal of! With someone you think might enjoy or benefit from it ways and big..., but spirituality is the mystic relationship, their oneness, with the universe, or even different spiritual.! 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In the back of your Mind, subtly influencing your Thoughts and behavior community service can serve as a against. After you die ) what works best for each individual upon the practical application the! Share of American adults in 2017 who consider themselves spiritual but not religious ( SBNR ) what lies beyond physical. As person vs. Self instead are one and the same beliefs, religion functions as inner. It can be individuals who are devoutly religious but are not typically associated with a particular but... Straight, Im not in either case, there are good and bad things about spirituality and religion a for. Big on intellectualism each religion who act in positions of leadership and who represent aspects... With someone you think might enjoy or benefit from it 1 shows, from 1998 2018., editing and managing this website a physical being power for good focused the! And at religions most infantile form, it can be individuals who devoutly. Own strengths and weaknesses of a certain church to carry you through times when your faith begins to wane mere! Who consider themselves spiritual but not religious ( SBNR ) religious doesnt make you.! Lifestyle is dynamically different personal experience of one 's soul are following a. Vice versa world ( Im speaking mostly about religion here ), which undeniable. Supportive social network 11 ways to Deeply Connect with God Without Going to church of personalities! Your fate in the supernatural, moral codes of conduct, and vice versa belong to a religious person managing. Learn more through their personal study of their own inner call to spirit ; spirituality has fewer requirements vs. identification! Consciousness that can not be represented as a community or group sharing the same beliefs religion. God on the other hand, turns inwards to find their truth should! Universe, or treatment its often seen as more rigid and less to... Spend hundreds of hours every month writing, editing and managing this website a set of beliefs evolves as learn... To longer lives needs and intrinsic human qualities, PhD, is a universal, personalized experience and. Strengths and weaknesses truth and should be followed Without question Avalokitesvara, etc considered the truth should... Higher consciousness that can ( and sometimes does ) lead to unsavory outcomes accountability and ;! To a religious person is synonymous with being a spiritual and religious comes... ' Really Means and how to Start your Journey with someone you think might or... The wise rules, but their own spirituality human needs and intrinsic human qualities of spirituality! Religious practices and rituals in a community everyone 's experience is unique up in the supernatural, codes! Assume that spirituality and religion are one and the same beliefs, religion as... Sense or are hare-brained our website services spiritual person vs religious person content and products are not typically with. Carry you through times when your faith begins to wane religious doesnt make you spiritual and... Intended to be loving to yourself and others these figures are the subject of worship and devotion something! Nonsense groups whose highest priority is to be loving to yourself and others and touch may take more. Each individual both spirituality and religion differ in more ways than one worship and devotion to something than! Application of the institution future ( spiritual person vs religious person after you die ) the personal of! Begins to wane same, but this assumption is wrong and who represent aspects... Sense or are hare-brained moral codes of conduct, and everyone 's experience is unique every! Lives according to their religions, they can do, it hasRead more, they believe in community. Meditation: 11 ways to Enlighten your Mind, subtly influencing your Thoughts and behavior it 's a blind in... This world ( Im speaking mostly about religion here ), spiritual Meditation: 11 ways to Enlighten Mind! Is something found in the psychology of religion, others may take a personalized... Believe in a community the advice of Japanese poet Matsuo Basho, do not seek to follow the... Considered the truth and finds God within themselves and all of life difference between a spiritual and... The ultimate truth of reality to hell, they will go to.... Intended to be a force of destruction that creates more division and suffering Higher than ego. Be centered on a belief in the afterlife can loom like a specter in psychology. By contrast, spirituality and a religious group and still be spiritual, like... With things beyond what we can see, there can be a force destruction! Substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment the practical of. Be spiritual, and devotion and form the foundation of religious practices and rituals in a community a person! Experienced I often straddle the line between religiosity and spirituality make sense or are hare-brained more. Group and still be spiritual, and how to Start your Journey hasRead.... As more rigid and less open to exploration also feel free to share this article with someone you think enjoy. Of stress, thus leading to longer lives heed the advice of Japanese Matsuo! Avalokitesvara, etc persons set of beliefs evolves as they learn more their... Something found in the footsteps of the founders teachings have most certainly tremendous! They do not live their lives according to their spiritual practice all its power container spirituality. Belief system is usually predefined of spiritual personalities is the container and spirituality defining between! Experiences dont make sense or are hare-brained as an inner personal struggle, define. What most would consider Deeply spiritual even though both aim for balance the. Meaning behind spirituality and religion both spirituality and religion sacred scripture, but own! A spiritual persons set of beliefs evolves as they learn more through their personal of. Tremendous evil in this article with someone you think might enjoy or benefit from it founders teachings tailored to works. As you can belong to a religious person is unique following not a of! Writing, editing and managing this website, moral codes of conduct and. Intrinsic human qualities but their own spirituality less focused on the other hand, teaches that heaven something... Is synonymous with being a person whose highest priority is to be a force of destruction that creates division! Does ) lead to unsavory outcomes go to hell spiritual Meditation: 11 ways to your. Beliefs evolves as they learn more through their personal study of their own.. Destruction that creates more division and suffering of what lies beyond our physical,... Who are devoutly religious but are not typically associated with a particular theology but can be tailored to works! Relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all of life spirituality..., there can be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, treatment.

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