What's the difference?

[req_read]

A statement I have heard from different people at different times under different circumstances (including here on allnurses) usually goes something like this: "There is a difference between religion and spirituality."

Hospice professionals are present during some of the most vulnerable and revealing times of people's lives; i.e. while dying, so may have some special insight into that very issue... then again, maybe not. But the question begs to be asked.

If there is a difference between religion and spirituality, what is it?

[jmgrn65, RN]

I will try to explain how I understand it.

Religion is believing in a higher power usually God, an organized group such as Baptists, Methodists and so on.

Spirituality is your own spirt and how you view it, your own values and beliefs. I don't know that I can explain it any better. That is how I understand it.

I hope this helps.

[chelli73]

I will try to explain how I understand it.

Religion is believing in a higher power usually God, an organized group such as Baptists, Methodists and so on.

Spirituality is your own spirt and how you view it, your own values and beliefs. I don't know that I can explain it any better. That is how I understand it.

I hope this helps.

i think that is an excellent understanding, and i agree, save for one thing, i believe that even with spirituality you can believe in a higher power, GOD...:balloons:

[leslie :-D]

i've always viewed religion as something learned and spirituality as something felt.

[doodlemom]

i think that is an excellent understanding, and i agree, save for one thing, i believe that even with spirituality you can believe in a higher power, GOD...:balloons:

Agreed, but do you have to believe in God to be able to experience spirituality?

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

For one take on the difference between religion and spirituality, see this link:

http://www.tufts.edu/med/ebcam/religion/index.html

Doodlemom - according to this link and others that I've seen, the answer to your question seems to be 'no.'

[leslie :-D]

i probably should have expounded on my simplistic and vague post on religion vs spirituality.

i liked that chart in erics' link, citing the differences.

i truly don't think anyone can define spirituality since it is not measurable; it is subjective and unique in interpretation.

when i say that religion is learned, i mean that as a quantifiable and concrete absolute.

in contrast, spirituality is 'felt'; meaning it's an inner voice, an intuition, a feeling, a 6th sense...

it's an energy form if you will, that is experienced on a profound and intimate level, the more it is considered or contemplated.

ones' spirituality is faith-based; not the same as religious based.

where religion teaches (dogma), spirituality philosophizes.

religion is intellectual.

spirituality is poetic.

i could go on, but it would be futile since there will never be a true 'webster' definition.

we can only hypothesize what spirituality is, since there isn't any proof of it.

but it is a powerfully intangible guide that has just as much impact on ones' life, as religion can.

religion will tell you about a higher power but spirituality is unique to ea person: there is nothing textbook about it.

one could never write a torah or bible on spirituality.

i believe that is why God created Jesus- so that there was someone palpable and in the flesh and therefore, indisputable.

but that's what spirituality commands: a belief in 'something' that cannot be proven of its' existence.

spirituality is a component of religion, always.

religion is a component of spirituality, sometimes.

ones' religion can be taught over a measurable length of time.

ones' spirituality doesn't recognize the unit of time: it is constant and lifelong and just is.

thanks for trying to hear me out.

i probably didn't make any sense whatsover.

anyone can obtain a textbook definition of religion; but there is nothing textbook about spirituality.

with peace.

leslie

[doodlemom]

For one take on the difference between religion and spirituality, see this link:

http://www.tufts.edu/med/ebcam/religion/index.html

Doodlemom - according to this link and others that I've seen, the answer to your question seems to be 'no.'

That is my belief - I was really trying to see what chelli73 thought.

[aimeee, BSN, RN]

spirituality is a component of religion, always.

I think ideally spirituality SHOULD be a component of religion, but I don't think it is always there. Sometimes the dogma, the rules, the outward practice becomes the focus and there is no room for growth and questions. I see people estranged from the religions they grew up in sometimes because their spiritual experiences were dissonant with what the religion demanded from them.

[leslie :-D]

I think ideally spirituality SHOULD be a component of religion, but I don't think it is always there. Sometimes the dogma, the rules, the outward practice becomes the focus and there is no room for growth and questions. I see people estranged from the religions they grew up in sometimes because their spiritual experiences were dissonant with what the religion demanded from them.

i agree with this.

just by virtue of believing in a God (within a religion), is the spiritual side i am talking about.

even when most of the focus remains on the dogma.

even if one's religion is filled w/more listening to someone talk, there still remains a spiritual component in religion; even if it is a bit stagnant.

[EmptytheBoat]

Same church, different pews. Nice to hear from you again

req reader (old coot)

[BeExcellent]

That's MR. Coot.

So...what's the thoughts around the question?