Some recovery programs make a big deal out of the difference between spirituality and religion. Is there a difference, and if so, what is it?
One of my friends told me: "Religion lays burdens on people, and spirituality takes them off." I've also seen a bumper sticker saying:"Religion is for people trying not to go to hell, spirituality is for folks who've been there" (or something like that). On that basis, I'm thinking religion is about doctrines and spirituality is about a sense of emotional connection with something outside (or inside) ourselves." Any other ideas?
I believe there is a difference, religion is the main stream and... well how should I put this, it is providing the guidelines, I believe spirituality is what you actually personally experience, so what you feel, etc... Basically religion is what the religion 'wants' you to do, and spiritually is how you feel yourself about something, to try to make my point a bit easyer to understand
I believe that there are religious people who are without spirituality, and vice versa. I do believe that there are many who are both. In my opinion, the difference between religion and spirituality is that religion is more closely associated with the institution of religion, and spirituality is each induvidual's thoughts and beliefs concerning whatever faith they follow. does that make sense?
Sounds like we're all pretty much in agreement on this. I guess I'm pretty spiritual and not very religious.
Religion is to spirituality: as education is to intelligence, as music is to inspiration, as art is to creativity, as space is to time, as language is to experience, Peace and Love
It makes perfect sense to me. This is about where I am on this issue. I consider myself a very very spiritual person, but not a very religious one. I do listen to what various schools of thought within Christianity have to say, pastors, churches, etc, but I carefully consider each thing that is said or each new thing I learn and decide for myself if it's really something I want to choose to believe in and follow, or respectfully (and occasionaly vehemently) disagree with. When doing this, I follow my heart and the Holy Spirit within me, God's guidance, not man's. I am so not into the whole legalistic side of things. To me, religion is most often legalism, at least where I live. And legalism ruins the whole point of believing in God, which is a heart matter.
in my humble opinion: religion is a way toward fellowship with other human beings that share some of the same views. its a place of comfort..and many times people step out of line and abuse religion. very logical connection. spirituality is your personal walk with any connection to life outside of yourself..(god..the earth. the stars) its the influence to live a life free of guilt and any form of negativity. idk how exactly to explain it..what a delicate issue here. i believe its more of an emotional connection. i think its wonderful to have a balance of both..they feed off one another..but its better to have one than none.
Spirituality is inner thirst. Religion is the mirage in the desert that offers to quench it. It has no ability to do so. x
