Spirituality vs. Religion: Are They as Different as They Seem?
By: Sydni Hatley
People identifying themselves as “spiritual” rather than identifying with a specific religion is becoming more common. It sparks debates on what it means to be spiritual as opposed to religious, and if being spiritual is just as valid as following a religion. These questions are usually answered based on opinion, however what is missing in a lot of people’s assumptions is an understanding of exactly what it means to be spiritual, as well as an understanding of both the similarities and differences that exist between the two lifestyles.
People forget that what connects religion and spirituality is that they are rooted in faith. The point of spirituality, like many religions, is to reach a form of enlightenment and become the best version of yourself that you can be. It is having faith in a force or being outside of yourself to help guide your journey, and believing that such intangible forces are what will divinely guide you throughout life.
In many ways they are almost the same things with very similar qualities, just called different names. The differences in religion and spirituality are that religion is an institution and depending on the kind, there are specific rules and practices that you must follow in order to be in line with your divine purpose and better yourself. With spirituality, it is not as black and white. Depending on the type of spirituality you align yourself with, there is no one specific practice that all “spiritualists” follow to achieve enlightenment.
The main thing that sets spiritual people apart from those who are religious is that a lot of the journey, practice, prayer, and end goals are focused and centered within. It is a very personal process and it normally focuses on the person’s relationship with God (Spirit, the Universe, a higher power, etc.) or within their highest selves. It usually involves a lot of meditation as well, because that is when you are the most alone and face to face with your most vulnerable self. That is where the personal journey may begin.
Another thing with spirituality as a personal journey is that a lot of the practices are self-motivated and self-executed. Because it is not an institution, it is up to the individual to find practices that give them a sense of personal release and balance. This is why a lot of people who identify as being spiritual have personal practices like yoga, mindfulness and meditation, deep breathing, and things of the like. It is the difference between a solely personal journey, done predominantly alone, vs. one predominantly influenced and practiced for/with a larger group of followers. The issue when people compare these two kinds of practices is that people get defensive of their faith, and judgemental of the other, creating divide.
There are different types of spiritual faiths that exist as well; ones that serve as factions within the greater whole. There are spiritual people who believe in multiple Gods, just one God, or no God at all. Some believe God is not gendered while there are others who believe solely in the Universe. Some people who are spiritual believe they can co-create with the Universe through manifestation, while others believe it is solely the Universe or a God that controls their fate. The variations of these beliefs are practically endless, with there even being intersections between them. Overall it can be argued that the main quality of spirituality is the belief in the power of nature to influence life itself.
There is even some intersectionality between certain religions and spiritual practices, where some people, like Christians for example, may believe in sageing or the power of incense to cleanse. They may also believe in the power of nature as well. The purpose in all of this is for there to be a newfound respect and understanding of the differences and similarities that exist between what it means to be spiritual and what it means to be religious. The most important thing is that both of these faiths are about becoming the best version of yourself and growing closer to your Divine Purpose. Everything is a journey, no matter what you call it, so it is important to have respect for the journey and process, no matter what label it has.
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