What are the similarities and dissimilarities between religion and spirituality?

 

First things first, in an attempt to compare and contrast these two concepts, it is imperative that we define the terms religion and spirituality. For many people, there is a thin line between what is religion and what is spirituality.

Religion is an organized or institutionalized set system of attitudes, beliefs and practices. Religion instructs on the manner of the service or worship of God or the Supernatural. Religion entails teachings, that include but not limited to, creation stories, devotional practices, ritual observances, and moral and ethical codes etc. The majority of modern religions rely on faith and further base their beliefs on a great prophet or a great book, for example Muslims affirm their faith in Prophet Muhammad and strictly adhere to the teachings of the Holy Book, Quran (Koran).

Spirituality, on the other hand, is a broad concept that focuses on the connection of the self to something bigger. It deals with existential questions like our place in the universe and the meaning of life. It is an aspect of being human where people seek to understand the way they connect to the moment, to themselves, to others, to nature, and to the sacred.

Religion and spirituality are joined at the hip by the belief in something bigger than the self. This constitutes the major similarity between the two concepts. This larger power can be God, Allah, Buddha, Yahweh, or our belief in a larger than life force in the universe. A greater power has put us in this universe and controls our very being. Now, in both spirituality and religion, it is our duty to find our life's purpose or to live our purpose as defined by our spiritual guide. A religious person is faithful when they put complete trust and confidence in what their religion preaches, yet, at the same time, the basis of this trust is more on spiritual comprehension than proof or truth.

However, as noted earlier, religion and spirituality might sound the same but there are stark differences. In the argument of religion versus spirituality these differences come to light. First, religion is an institution that was created by another person whereas spirituality is something only you can find inside yourself. Further, sometimes people can be forced into religion. In contrast, spirituality is something no one can decide for you. Self-discovery makes spirituality great. Secondly, that man defines religion while a greater power defines spirituality. Human beings can decide what religion is for them. In spirituality, something bigger than yourself guides you and your life. Thirdly, religion preaches and commands while spirituality inspires. You need to follow a set of rules if you want to move forward in religion. Advancing in spirituality is through a process of loving and accepting yourself and the world around you. The idea of advancement is replaced with the journey for growth.

Step-by-step explanation

To summarize, the differences between the two concepts outweigh the similarities. Religion is focused on an external practice, an object or a figurehead while spirituality is geared towards an individual's higher soul, higher self or the divinity within oneself. As Deepak Chopra opines "Religion is a belief in someone else's experience. Spirituality is having your own experience." Other people might say they are spiritual but not religious, yet it is possible to be both. These two things are important in maintaining the balance between your mind, body, and spirit.