If religion is defined as “…the direct expression of universal human needs” (Bainbridge & Stark in Davie, 2007, p. 71) while spirituality is defined as “…the deepest values and meanings by which people seek to live” (Sheldrake, 2007, p. 1) it’s clear that the two seem distinctly separate. This essay will explore the definitions for both terms while examining the relationship between religion and spirituality, which are undoubtedly connected. It will assess how spirituality can exist without religion, religion without spirituality, and what happens when they meet, using evidence and practical examples.
Religion and spirituality are terms with blurred lines, the meanings of which can be very subjective. To understand how they differ, a definition …show more content…
It has relationships with the mind, body, spirit, soul, new age religions, paganism, druidism and even activities such as meditation or yoga (Woodhead, et al., 2009, p. 335). Spirituality is less defined, less structured and is something that is searched for and often experienced alone, compared to religion, which is inherently social (Bouma, 2006, p. 15). A practical example of spirituality without religion is yoga. The term yoga loosely means union, but this meaning is too abstract to be fully understood. Instead, yoga is often described as the connection between the body and mind, and the mind and soul. Yoga has been significantly westernised, with a central focus on the physical motions, but in essence it is far more spiritual and experiential. Yoga encourages the soul, increases ones mental health and connects the mind, body and spirit. It is a science that frees the mind from the body’s restraints and carries it toward the soul (Iyengar, 2013, pp. 3, 118, …show more content…
195) defines religion as “…that which is concerned with the holy.” He associates religion with being told what to think, feel and believe, while spirituality is individualised and personal, being linked to the body, nature, femininity, sexuality and the environment – things that religion lacks. Tacey goes on to explain that following a dogma is outdated, and that while religion and spirituality are connected, religion does not inherently contain the spiritual experience that it should. He states that religion is a starting point, and those who are born into a religious family have an advantage as they inevitably move away from creed and towards discovery (Tacey, 2004, pp. 4, 5, 8, 112, 193). A boy of seventeen wrote, “sometimes I go to Church, I sit down, join in the service, and before I go out I feel as if God was with me, right side of me, singing and reading the Psalms with me…” (James, 1902, p. 71). This example of spirituality in traditional religion – a connection within one’s self to a higher being, an ineffable experience – counters Tacey’s belief that religion and spirituality are inherently separate. The unexplainable connection that some feel towards God and religion is a practical example of how religion and spirituality can go hand-in-hand.
In summary, both religion and spirituality are experienced on a personal and subjective level, and to some degree cannot completely be defined. This essay has displayed the differences between spirituality and
Religion and spirituality are terms with blurred lines, the meanings of which can be very subjective. To understand how they differ, a definition …show more content…
It has relationships with the mind, body, spirit, soul, new age religions, paganism, druidism and even activities such as meditation or yoga (Woodhead, et al., 2009, p. 335). Spirituality is less defined, less structured and is something that is searched for and often experienced alone, compared to religion, which is inherently social (Bouma, 2006, p. 15). A practical example of spirituality without religion is yoga. The term yoga loosely means union, but this meaning is too abstract to be fully understood. Instead, yoga is often described as the connection between the body and mind, and the mind and soul. Yoga has been significantly westernised, with a central focus on the physical motions, but in essence it is far more spiritual and experiential. Yoga encourages the soul, increases ones mental health and connects the mind, body and spirit. It is a science that frees the mind from the body’s restraints and carries it toward the soul (Iyengar, 2013, pp. 3, 118, …show more content…
195) defines religion as “…that which is concerned with the holy.” He associates religion with being told what to think, feel and believe, while spirituality is individualised and personal, being linked to the body, nature, femininity, sexuality and the environment – things that religion lacks. Tacey goes on to explain that following a dogma is outdated, and that while religion and spirituality are connected, religion does not inherently contain the spiritual experience that it should. He states that religion is a starting point, and those who are born into a religious family have an advantage as they inevitably move away from creed and towards discovery (Tacey, 2004, pp. 4, 5, 8, 112, 193). A boy of seventeen wrote, “sometimes I go to Church, I sit down, join in the service, and before I go out I feel as if God was with me, right side of me, singing and reading the Psalms with me…” (James, 1902, p. 71). This example of spirituality in traditional religion – a connection within one’s self to a higher being, an ineffable experience – counters Tacey’s belief that religion and spirituality are inherently separate. The unexplainable connection that some feel towards God and religion is a practical example of how religion and spirituality can go hand-in-hand.
In summary, both religion and spirituality are experienced on a personal and subjective level, and to some degree cannot completely be defined. This essay has displayed the differences between spirituality and