Lots of people like to distinguish between what they call “religion” and other concepts, particularly “spirituality.” Also, some Christians, especially of the fundamentalist variety, claim not to have a “religion” at all, but instead a “relationship with God.” But these distinctions, however commonly they’re invoked, are non-existent. Being spiritual, or having a relationship with God, are both inherently religious in nature, because they lie well within the definition of “religion.”
We should start at the beginning, by defining religion; since this word means many things to many people, it only makes sense to lay a solid semantic foundation.
| Source | Definition |
|---|---|
| Dictionary.Com | a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. |
| Encarta Dictionary | people's beliefs and opinions concerning the existence, nature, and worship of a deity or deities, and divine involvement in the universe and human life |
| American Heritage Dictionary | Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe |
| Merriam-Webster | a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices (with religious meaning “relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity”) |
| Compact
Oxford English Dictionary |
the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods |
All definitions of “religion,” then, describe a package of metaphysical ideas about a deity or deities, and/or the origin and nature of the cosmos. The meaning of “religion” is quite general.
Many people think that the word “religion” applies only to organized religion, and that anything else is “spirituality” instead. But this is not borne out by the above definitions; none specifies a criterion of “organization” for “religion.” Not being organized cannot make a religion anything other than a religion. Put another way: One can have an organized religion, or a non-organized religion; but both remain religions nevertheless.
Looking at the above definitions, it’s not possible to say that there is any form of “spirituality” which it does not describe. This means that “spirituality” and “religion” are equivalent — no matter how fervently one may wish they aren’t.
So if you’re one of those who claims to be “spiritual but not religious,” guess again ... the two are exactly the same! There is no difference. All spirituality is religion, and vice-versa.
Many fundamentalist Christians claim that they don’t have a religion, they have “a relationship with God” (frequently, “with Christ”). This too is a false distinction. Looking again at the definitions of “religion” above, you will see that the act of claiming a “relationship” with a deity, is, in fact, a “religious” activity! That is, you cannot have a “relationship” with a deity, without first believing in that deity’s existence — which is a religious belief!
Creating a distinction between “religion” and “spirituality,” or “having a relationship with Christ,” or whatever, or all evasions. Those who do it, are merely trying to shake off the negative connotations of the word “religion.” Unfortunately this is illogical and not rational; the word “religion” does describe them nevertheless, negative connotations notwithstanding.
If you’re one of those who wants to keep your religious ideas without having to admit that they’re “religious,” I hate to break it to you, but just cannot do it. Reality prevents it. The only way to do so would be to petition for a change in the definition of “religion” — and I assure you, that won’t happen soon.
All references in this article are linked to their sources.
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