Kathie Costos
February 9, 2025
Some things are too ridiculous to respond to. Others are too dangerous to ignore.
Today's topic is religion vs. spirituality. If you think what is happening today is unique, it is a good time to remind you of another time. After all, religion was used as a weapon against anyone who did not "believe" the same as those in power. It has been used to control the people. It has been used and abused throughout history. The word itself has often been defined differently.
religion, human beings’ relation to that which they regard as holy, sacred, absolute, spiritual, divine, or worthy of especial reverence.If you noticed the word "especial," you may have considered it a typo. But it isn't.
directed toward a particular individual, group, or endOxford defines religion as
sent especial greetings to his son
took especial care to speak clearly
of special note or importance : unusually great or significant
a decision of especial relevance.
a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practicesMerriam-Webster's definition of religion
a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practicesOxford defines religion as
the service and worship of God or the supernatural
commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
the state of a religious
a nun in her 20th year of religion
a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
the belief in and worship of a superhuman power or powers, especially a God or gods.There are many different religions worldwide.
a particular system of faith and worship.
plural noun: religions
"the world's great religions"
a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance.
According to Learn Religions, there are over 4,000 different religions worldwide, and 85% of the population belongs to them.
The English word “religion” originates from the Latin term religio, which has a variety of definitions, including “to bind” and “awe or fear of a god or spirit.” Most, but not all, religions include belief in and worship of God, a god, gods, or spirits. Nearly all acknowledge a supernatural realm.Nearly all acknowledge that a supernatural realm is far different from the "religion" they claim as their own. Being "religious" demands we submit to the rules of the group we choose to belong to. Being spiritual allows us to make choices based on our spirits, which are in direct contact with God, our creator, or our higher power.
Pew has a great article on spiritual people, with most adults in the United States considering themselves spiritual.
In recent decades, Americans have become less likely to identify with an organized religion. Yet a new Pew Research Center survey shows that belief in spirits or a spiritual realm beyond this world is widespread, even among those who don’t consider themselves religious. The survey finds that:As for church attendance, Gallop took a look at that last year.
83% of all U.S. adults believe people have a soul or spirit in addition to their physical body.
81% say there is something spiritual beyond the natural world, even if we cannot see it.
74% say there are some things that science cannot possibly explain.
45% say they have had a sudden feeling of connection with something from beyond this world.
38% say they have had a strong feeling that someone who has passed away was communicating with them from beyond this world.
30% say they have personally encountered a spirit or unseen spiritual force.Overall, 70% of U.S. adults can be considered “spiritual” in some way, because they think of themselves as spiritual people or say spirituality is very important in their lives.
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- As Americans observe Ramadan and prepare to celebrate Easter and Passover, the percentage of adults who report regularly attending religious services remains low. Three in 10 Americans say they attend religious services every week (21%) or almost every week (9%), while 11% report attending about once a month and 56% seldom (25%) or never (31%) attend.Whichever one you choose to be, religion divides us, yet spirituality unifies us with others.
Experts’ definitions of spirituality
Christina Puchalski, MD, Director of the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health, contends that "spirituality is the aspect of humanity that refers to the way individuals seek and express meaning and purpose and the way they experience their connectedness to the moment, to self, to others, to nature, and to the significant or sacred."Spirituality is about us, all of us. It is not about "us" against "them." It is about contributing to others and not attempting to control them. It is not what the Puritans did in Salem Village (currently called Danvers) and Salem Town. It is not about false accusations spreading throughout Massachusetts. It is not about what they did to the twenty innocent people they murdered or those they tortured. It is not about any of the atrocities committed by those using their religion to accomplish such evil acts.
According to Mario Beauregard and Denyse O’Leary, researchers and authors of The Spiritual Brain, “spirituality means any experience that is thought to bring the experiencer into contact with the divine (in other words, not just any experience that feels meaningful).”
Nurses Ruth Beckmann Murray and Judith Proctor Zenter write that “the spiritual dimension tries to be in harmony with the universe, and strives for answers about the infinite, and comes into focus when the person faces emotional stress, physical illness, or death.”