Religion or Spirituality

Ever wondered about religion or spirituality? Well, today’s your lucky day. We’re going to be discussing the difference between the two!

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If you are looking for a sign to get out of bed, take a shower, walk outside, or a simple reminder that you are important: Here it is! This is your sign!

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Today’s life lesson: What is the difference in being religious and being spiritual?

 

Are you religious or are you spiritual?

 

Or are you both?

Is being both a bad thing?

 

Basically, I’m talking about the differences, in my own opinion and knowledge, between religion and spirituality.

 

Now, I’m not defining you as one, or the other. I’m just giving you my input, my opinion, on what these mean in my life. So, even if one of those words scare you or intimidate you, but you’re willing to open your mind to (a) new idea(s), keep reading.

 

 

Religion or Spirituality

 

When I first mentioned doing a podcast, one of the first topics I was asked to touch on was religion versus spirituality. I was immediately like, “OOOOO!! Oh, absolutely! Yes ma’am!!”

 

And, so here we are.

 

Introduction

 

I know that I don’t necessarily always broadcast my relationship with God.

 

(I know that’s not the best witness, but I’m just being unfiltered and transparent with y’all.)

 

With that being said, let me just say:

 

My relationship with God is thriving. It’s not hidden. I am not ashamed.

 

But…

 

I would rather my actions and words reflect goodness and love, rather than just continuously preaching Christianity, knowing the connotation it has in the secular view…

 

Sorry to be blunt, but Christianity and Jesus lovin’ people have, and seem to maintain, a bad reputation.

 

I want people to see good in me, and then realize that goodness comes straight from God, rather than immediately leave due to constant religious talk. (If you disagree with how I view this, that’s okay. Just keep reading.)

 

I also understand that not everyone believes the same way I do. And through understanding that, I know that it’s okay if we don’t agree. I know that you were raised differently.

 

I know that you view things differently. I don’t want you to think, or feel like, I am pushing anything on anyone. Walk your own path. I just to choose to walk with Jesus.

 

So, religion or spirituality?

 

That is the question.

 

I’m pretty sure the overall definition of ‘religion’ is “to be a part of a group with the same title and description”. So, Christianity, Buddhism and Wiccan are a few examples. Within these religions, you have rules and standards.

 

Normally, you have a God, or idol, to worship to. And, so with most religions, there’s a lot of fear presented.

 

“If you follow this rule, you will be rewarded. But, if you don’t, you will be punished.” (Like, death. Or hell. Or eternal damnation.)

 

Your pastor tells you to follow these rules, and without even using your own given knowledge, you just follow along like a puppet on a string.

 

Except who are you a puppet for? God? Or the world? Or better yet, do you even know?

 

*oof.*

 

Religion tells you who to be, from standards. People preach their religious interpretation of the Bible, as though everyone’s walk with Jesus is the same. But, it’s not.

 

My walk with Jesus isn’t what yours is, nor can/ will ever be. Because just as no two people can have the same exact relationship with others as they have together, your relationship with God will never be the same as someone else’s. I’m straying from topic, sorry.

 

So, I’m going to go through religion in the form of Christianity. It’s easiest for me to discuss, because it’s what I know best. I am most definitely not knocking Christianity, just stating my opinions on it compared to spirituality. 

 

Christians are given 10 commandments, along with the entire Bible, as an outline of what to do/ not to do. The Bible has parables (stories that teach lessons).

 

Base belief of Christianity is: belief in God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, as one altogether. God sent His Son to the cross, to die for you and your sins, so that you would be forgiven. He then arose from the grave three days later, with ascension into Heaven, and now lives within you, if you allow Him to.

 

So, we’re taught the ABC’s of Christianity:

 

• A- Admit your wrongs and repent

 

• B- Believe in God as the trinity and believing in God’s forgiveness

 

• C- Confess our faith in Jesus

 

Then, salvation and woo-hoo, you aren’t going to hell.

 

I say that so blatantly obvious, because, well it is. That’s the base religious teaching of Christianity, as well as what the world sees. And, to me, religion in itself is a set of beliefs; it’s just a set of principles.

 

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With all of that in mind, I want to put a clothespin on religion, and jump over into spirituality.

 

I think spirituality is so freaking special because it’s not something you can fake. It’s all within yourself. To me, spirituality is about empowering yourself, and being in control of yourself. Knowing where you stand, what your morals are, what you want to be… who you are.

 

I know that my actions reflect my future. I learn from my mistakes, and even sometimes repeat them, but that’s completely on me.

 

I think spirituality is more-so how you feel, rather than what you are taught. That’s where the rubber meets the road. I can do a lot of good, without having a good heart. Healthy spirituality, to me, is having a good heart. Genuinely striving to be good, to do good.

 

Also, with spirituality, there’s a different perspective on “punishment” and eternal hell. Spirituality leans more “karma” based- you do good, you get good; you do bad, you’ll probbbbabbbblyyyy get bad sometime in your life.

 

With that, I think spirituality thrives on accepting change, and being willing to grow. So, even when you do bad, you can get up and try to be better tomorrow. I have to accept that I mess up sometimes, and that it’s my fault. I am the one that controls what I do next.

 

Spirituality is basically all about knowing who you are, and being at peace.

 

As I’ve said before, I rarely identify myself as a Christian. (As in, I don’t go around forcing it into people’s faces.) One, because it’s intimidating to people, and a huge turn off- due to the ironically secular view of what Christianity is.

 

And, if we are being raw, and if you know the role of a Christian, it’s to bring people closer to Christ, not to automatically deter them. (And, yes, guys, there are proper ways to do this, but that’s a whole separate topic.)

 

But, two, I’ll just be transparent: we all see, and know, people who claim Christianity as their religion, but then we see the things they do or we see the life they live, and it just doesn’t measure up.

 

Now, don’t get me wrong: I am NOT judging. I’ve been that person. I probably still am that person at times. But, I don’t want to be that. I don’t want to meet the world’s perception of Christianity.

 

I want to reflect love. My God’s forgiveness, and mercifulness. I want people to see God in me, and love in me, without me having to tell them it’s there.

 

 

So, now that I have everyone’s feathers in a bunch, lemme intercept here with the idea of a “relationship”. If you would consider yourself a Christian, by religion (and there’s no right or wrong answer), ask yourself what your relationship with Christ is like.

 

Do you have a relationship with Jesus through spirituality, or are you just living out a religion?

 

Personally, I want a relationship with God. Not just an identifying religion. Here’s where I think a lot of us get lost.

 

My relationship is built from my spirituality. Who I am. Who I am in Christ. Who Christ is to me. Me to the absolute inner core. Not just what you see, but me internally. My relationship with Jesus is like any other earthly relationship- a journey. Sometimes I mess up, but He’s got me.

 

Without my spiritual faith, ‘religion’ is just a textbook word.

 

I can’t remember where I read it, but there’s a quote out there that says, “Without spirituality, religion is a social institution.” And, wow. What truth.

 

Without the church actively seeking out Jesus’ love, loving one another, praying for one another… what is Christianity? What is religion, anyways, when you aren’t willing to practice living by the standards set?

 

Without spirituality, religion is a social institution.

 

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*Let’s take a breath. Whew. This is such a touchy topic. I just want to be like, “Y’all, all Christians aren’t bad. (Rightfully so, not everyone, regardless of religion, not everyone is bad, period.) But, just like in every other group, when loud Christians reflect Christianity negatively, it ruins the whole perception.” But, I’m assuming that is understood if you’ve gotten thus far.*

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So, ergo. Let’s say that Christianity as a religion is how the world perceives it, but Christianity as a spirituality is how we should strive to see it:

 

Religious Christianity is a belief. Spiritual Christianity is a feeling.

Christianity as a religion show sympathy, but spiritually, it shows empathy.

By religion, you learn from a book and through what you are taught by man. Spiritually, you grow from your walk with God, and actively pursuing more knowledge and guidance through the Bible and other leaders.

Christianity through religion says that you are supposed to do good. But, spiritually, you genuinely want to do good.

Religion is an eye level belief; spirituality is where your heart is.

‘Religion’, you can fake, but ‘spirituality’, you cannot.

 

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I’m going to wrap it up for y’all.

 

(Thanks for hanging with me.)

 

I don’t think you have to have a religion to be spiritual. Like I said, spirituality isn’t taught- it’s within you. What your core beliefs are and what you practice. But, I will say, (and this just nonsense from the peanut gallery), if you have a religion, check your spirituality. Get that relationship right and build on it.

 

 

So, here’s the thing: be religious… be spiritual… be nothing… be whatever… but, always, be good.

 

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Once again, if you need a sign to take care of yourself: this is it.

Go for a run.

Go get ice cream.

Go do a face mask, or trim up your beard.

Whatever it is, send some love your own way.

Because as we all know:

you are the most vital character in your story!

 

related articles:

The New Why and What Happened

The Best Self: What and Why?

 

Peace out, girl scouts!

 

 

…and always aim to be the best self you can be.