What is the difference between Religion and Spirituality?
As we find ourselves amongst uncertain times, many of us have begun asking ourselves the deeper soul questions of life: Who am I? What do I want? What is my purpose? What is the meaning of life? Historically, people have turned to religion or spirituality to help address / find meaning to these difficult, yet prominent questions of life.
For many of us, the terms religion and spirituality have been used interchangeably in times past. However, there is a current trend among the younger generation to use the term, spiritual but not religious to describe personal faith practices.
This phrase insinuates that there must in fact be a difference between the two terms. With some help from the Chopra Center* and my own experience as a Spiritual Director**, let’s take a look at what these differences might look like.
In my experience in the realm of spiritual formation, the easiest way for me to sum up the difference between religion and spirituality is by using terms coined by Franciscan Priest Richard Rohr: transaction vs. transformation.
Religion falls into the transaction category as it often mirrors a well-run family business. Often institutionalized, religions are based on the life of a historical or archetypal figure who is the subject of worship, devotion, and practice of community.
Generally, a religious institution is run by some sort of governing board that holds its members to specific, moral rules, doctrines, laws, sacred scriptures, and practices; thus being more external in nature. Much like the family business example, religion is deeply rooted in tradition.
As a means of accomplishing accurate transmission throughout history, the organization often requires an unconditional belief in the religion’s teachings. Due to the sometimes rigid rules for belonging, religions can often be seen as having an undercurrent of fear and exclusivity.
I want to point out that while to some of us the transactions of religion may seem pretty black and white, many individuals find the rigidity of religion to be a comfort in the midst of life chaos and crisis. For these individuals, the commonality of belief and community can create a solid grounding amidst the unpredictability of life.
While many remain in the religious pocket, it has been my experience that others may move from religion to spirituality, or jump straight into spirituality without a religious base.
For some who begin in a religious circle, the demands of religious practice and belief can weigh heavy and they may at some point look for an option that allows for a bit more diversity and freedom. Some may call this process faith deconstruction.
While religion may focus its worship on the historic or archetypal figure, Spirituality focuses on the practical application of the founder’s teachings and thus has a much more internal approach than religion. As the “family business” side of religion can be seen with the naked eye, spirituality is not often seen, but internally experienced by the individual.
This experience is often a shift in awareness of a connection to something larger than you and includes a following of this inner call to Spirit which often leads to personal transformation of consciousness.
Many who call themselves spiritual enjoy the less-formulaic aspects of faith and trust the “pathless path” of mystery and self-discovery. Instead of an unconditional belief in religious teachings, spirituality lends itself to truths that evolve and expand, which is a more direct experience of the soul.
While the members of religion enjoy a more exclusive, tight-knit family system, those engaged in spirituality see all beings as family and favor inclusivity of everyone being on a path to awakening and support these paths with unconditional love and kindness.
Depending on where you are on your journey toward inner awakening, either religion or spirituality could be a good fit. Even the path of agnosticism and atheism can be practices of awakening and are sources of “push back” which can actually push you forward.
Wherever you find yourself on the journey of awakening, I would find it a personal honor to sit with you as a travel companion of sorts; pointing out the sights you may have overlooked, the bumps that have you stuck, and the road map your life is already laying out before you.
— Laurie Wevers, MA, LMFT
Certification in Spiritual Direction
————————————————————————————————————
*https://chopra.com/articles/religion-vs-spirituality-what-is-the-difference
**Spiritual direction is the practice of being with people as they attempt to deepen their relationship with the divine, or to learn and grow in their own personal spirituality. The person seeking direction shares stories of their encounters of the divine, or how they are cultivating a life attuned to spiritual things. The director listens and asks questions to assist the directee in his or her process of reflection and spiritual growth. Spiritual direction advocates claim that it develops a deeper awareness with the spiritual aspect of being human.