My college-level students often mix up spirituality and religion. But there is a difference between the two.
Religion is based on belief, authority, and a faith tradition. The teachings are proscribed. Spirituality, on the other hand, is based on a heart-based, intuitive connection to something larger than ourselves – source, consciousness, God, The Tao, for example. Its practices are based principally on meditation and contemplation for the purpose of developing one’s inner life. All religions share common spiritual principles.
According to a survey done several years ago by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, about half of U.S. adults have changed religious affiliation, usually because they felt spiritually unfulfilled or found a church they liked better. Young adults are most likely to switch or stop going altogether. Those who leave their childhood religion are most likely to do so before age 24. Many Americans, even those who don’t attend church, are constantly looking for religious fulfillment. In another survey referred to by Wikipedia, 24% of Americans identify themselves as spiritual but not religious. I suspect that the statistics could apply to Canada as well. It is evident that people are looking for spiritual fulfillment.
Although I was born a Roman Catholic and studied with the Ursuline nuns and the Jesuits for many years, I can relate to what the youth of today are going through. I left the church after I graduated from Boston College. However, I came back to organized religion about 10 years later when my two children were baptized. Now in my mid-sixties I return to church regularly. It quiets my spirit, inspires me with its teachings of peace, love and justice, and allows me to share a common bond with others.
Jacqueline, my wife, has a different orientation. What is important for her is to find her own a spiritual path outside traditional religion. And I respect what works for her.
Dr. Frank
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I don’t think religion and spirituality are the same, but there are definitely some commonalities. I’ve been very active in our church for more than thirty years and I think the church community can provide an extended family and a sense of belonging for people of all ages but especially for our youth and our seniors.
Sandra,
This is so true. When I was running churches, there were lots of studies that say that MOST people go to Church more for the community than anything else. I know that was often true for me as well and so, as a Minister, I work on fostering community whenever I can. We did a lot of small group ministry that really helped people get connected.
That said, there is no substitute for the best connection – the one with the Presence, God. Both need to be present.
Thanks for sharing.
As Dr. Frank says, all religions share common spriritual principles for getting in touch with a spiritual being. Where they differ is the perceived characteristics of that being (i.e. mercy , or wrath ). Either some people are mistaken about the being’s characteristics, or they are communicating with a different being.
I disagree with your idea of the purpose of techniques such as meditation. The purpose must be to form a spiritual connection / relationship with the spiritual other, based on two-way communication. If it is only to develop one’s own life, that’s not much of a connection.
The function of religion, supposedly, is to assist people in their spiritual quest. You are right, it is generally proscribing activities. In order to make a connection, it is helpful to avoid certain things. However, there are other things one can do, which would support making this spiritual connection.
Since I said that the function of religion is to support the spiritual quest, how is your church community doing that? If you have a common bond with others, that’s great, but doesn’t necessarily lead to a bond with a spiritual being. Inspiriation sounds like a good start.
I agree with Dr. Toni, many people go to a church for fellowship, but that’s no substitute for connecting with God. The first priority of a church community, as a vehicle of religion, is to assist people in their spiritual journey. To me, the first question to ask yourself is, how is my church community doing that? If you have a common bond with others, that’s great, but doesn’t necessarily lead to a bond with a spiritual being. Inspiriation sounds like it could be a good start.