What Is the Difference Between Religion and Spirituality?

Have you ever heard someone say they are spiritual but not religious? This is the common answer for those who do not follow a certain religion, but who believe in a higher power. What's the difference between religion and spirituality? This question is really a difficult one to approach, and the answer will greatly depend on who you ask, however in simplistic terms: religion is really a "pathway to God" and spirituality is a broader term, encompassing religion, essentially saying there is a connection between humanity and something "larger."

Religion

There are numerous religions practiced around the globe, and several followers will argue that their religion is the one to follow and believe in. Commonly practiced religions include: Paganism, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, Muslim, Confucianism, Daois, Asatru, Atheist and Agnostic, Pantheist, MODERN and the list continues on. Each religion comes with their own group of beliefs about who "God" is (or whether He even exists in the first place) and how to exist through Him, to attain the best possible afterlife. Each religion has its set of beliefs regarding what happens to those who usually do not practice as they should, and their very own interpretations of these Holy books, including the Bible, or the Koran. Regardless of what get more info claim to be, you have your personal thoughts and feelings about its core values, and you are in control of how you live by them. No one person can say a particular religion is better than another for any fact. When you choose a religion to check out, you choose the one you best identify with, and may believe in the most.

Spirituality

Those who are spiritual do not necessarily go without religion, but those that do not identify with a particular religion can still consider themselves as "spiritual." Those who believe human existence to be a fraction of the overall equation, that is, those who believe humanity to become a section of something larger, are spiritual. They may not have the answers in regards to what that larger something is, plus they may not know how to describe it, but they usually do not believe we are here because the sole creation. It isn't necessarily "God" they have confidence in, but they don't discount the existence of an increased power. Religion gives people who follow them a specific group of beliefs to help them fine tune their spirituality, while those who do not follow a religion tend to be more open to interpretation of these own beliefs, based on what they know and experience within their day-to-day lives.

Regardless of what religion you might or may not follow, spirituality is a broader term that encompasses all of it. If you may never follow any religion, or you may elect to change your religion, all of it falls under being spiritual. Only it is possible to decide what it means to be "religious" or what it means to be "spiritual."