Spiritual vs. Religious: Understanding Confusing Terms

Spiritual vs. Religious: the Definition

What Does Spiritual Mean?

On the other hand, describing ourselves as spiritual indicates a more individual and personal journey. We may believe in a higher power or the interconnectedness of all life, but we don’t necessarily follow organized religion. It’s more about personal growth and inner peace. “We find spirituality through meditation,” or “We experience spirituality in nature,” are examples of how this might be expressed.

What Does Religious Mean?

When we talk about being religious, we usually refer to adhering to the practices, beliefs, and rituals of a particular religion. It involves a structured framework, often with doctrines and community worship. For instance, saying, “We are religious,” generally means we attend church, mosque, synagogue, or another house of worship and follow the established traditions there.

Spiritual vs. Religious: Examples

• Religious: “We observe the Sabbath every week, as our religion teaches us.”
• Spiritual: “We feel a deep connection to the universe when we watch the sunset.”

Here’s a comparative list to summarize:

Tips to Remember the Difference

• Think “Personal” for Spirituality: Remember that spirituality is about the personal journey. It’s centered on our inner experiences, emotions, and connection to the universe.
• Think “Community” for Religion: Religion brings people together under a shared belief system. It’s about community, tradition, and worship according to established teachings.

Spiritual vs. Religious: Examples

Examples of Spiritual

• Meditation: Sitting in silence and focusing on one’s breath or a mantra to achieve a state of mental stillness and heightened awareness.
• Prayer: Communicating with a higher power or the divine, often involving expressions of gratitude, requests for guidance, or the seeking of comfort and strength.
• Yoga: A physical, mental, and spiritual practice originating in ancient India, combining postures, breathing techniques, and meditation to achieve balance and harmony.
• Mindfulness: The practice of maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and the surrounding environment with openness and acceptance.
• Reading and Reflecting on Sacred Texts: Engaging with religious or spiritual texts to seek wisdom, inspiration, and moral guidance.

Examples of Religious

• Attending Worship Services: Participating in communal worship activities, such as Mass in Christianity, Shabbat services in Judaism, or Jumu’ah prayers in Islam.
• Fasting: Abstaining from food, drink, or other specific substances or activities for a period of time as an act of devotion and self-discipline. Fasting is observed in various religions, including during the month of Ramadan in Islam or during Lent in Christianity.
• Pilgrimage: Making a journey to a sacred place or shrine that holds religious significance. This could include the Hajj to Mecca in Islam, visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem for Jews, or going to the Ganges River in Hinduism.
• Rituals and Sacraments: Participating in formal religious ceremonies that are significant within a religious tradition, such as baptisms, bar or bat mitzvahs, confirmations, or weddings.
• Prayer Beads: Using a string of beads to count prayers or chants in religious practice, as seen with the rosary in Catholicism, mala beads in Hinduism and Buddhism, or tasbih in Islam.

Related Confused Words

Spiritual vs. Christian

• Spiritual: Often pertains to the personal, inner quest for meaning that may not be rooted in any specific religious tradition. It’s associated with the inner soul, personal growth, and a connection with all existence.
• Christian: Refers specifically to the beliefs and practices associated with the Christian faith, which includes belief in the teachings and divinity of Jesus Christ.

Religious vs. Faithful

• Religious: This term is generally inclusive of various organized systems of beliefs, practices, and rituals designed to facilitate closeness to the sacred or divine. It implies a communal aspect and adherence to specific doctrines.
• Faithful: While also entailing commitment to a belief system, being ‘faithful’ can apply within both religious and secular contexts. It indicates loyalty and steadfastness in beliefs or promises.