Religion or Spiritualism...

[MonSno_LeeDra]

As I read threw various threads and such one point keeps coming home, people consider thier spiritual practice to be unique to them and as such they should not be held to some other's standards.

So it sort of rasied the though do we not actually know the difference between religion and spiritualism? Do we spreak out in self defense of one thing only to discover that we mis-understood the meaning of the word? Or perhaps even worse never did know the meaning but only confused the defination with another.

Religion:

NOUN:

<LI type=a>Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.Main Entry: re·li·gion http://www.m-w.com/images/audio.gif (javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?religi02.wav=religion'))Pronunciation: \ri-ˈli-jən\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English religioun, from Anglo-French religiun, Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back — more at rely (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/rely)Date: 13th century 1 a: the state of a religious (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/religious) <a nun in her 20th year of religion> b (1): the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2): commitment or devotion to religious (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/religious) faith or observance2: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/religious) attitudes, beliefs, and practices3archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/conscientiousness)4: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
— re·li·gion·less adjective



Spiritualism:

spir·i·tu·al·ism http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/t/pron.jpg (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/pronounce;_ylt=AkjQ1H.tub7OR65T57kcpgCugMMF?id=S0648400&path=prons/S0648400.wav) (sphttp://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/s/ibreve.gifrhttp://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/s/prime.gifhttp://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/s/ibreve.gif-chhttp://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/s/oomacr.gif-http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/s/schwa.gif-lhttp://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/s/ibreve.gifzhttp://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/s/lprime.gifhttp://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/s/schwa.gifm) KEY (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/pronunciation_key;_ylt=AjYU8K7KCLUpuM7R7Af4S46ugMMF)

NOUN:

<LI type=a>The belief that the dead communicate with the living, as through a medium.
The practices or doctrines of those holding such a belief.
A philosophy, doctrine, or religion emphasizing the spiritual aspect of being.
spiritualism
Main Entry: spir·i·tu·al·ism http://www.m-w.com/images/audio.gif (javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?spirit10.wav=spiritualism'))Pronunciation: \ˈspir-i-chə-wə-ˌli-zəm, -i-chə-ˌli-, -ich-wə-ˌli-\ Function: noun Date: 1796 1: the view that spirit (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/spirit) is a prime element of reality2 a: a belief that spirits (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/spirits) of the dead communicate with the living usually through a medium bcapitalized : a movement comprising religious organizations emphasizing spiritualism
— spir·i·tu·al·ist http://www.m-w.com/images/audio.gif (javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?spirit11.wav=spiritualist')) \-list\ noun often capitalized
— spir·i·tu·al·is·tic http://www.m-w.com/images/audio.gif (javascript:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?spirit12.wav=spiritualistic')) \ˌspir-i-chə-wə-ˈlis-tik, -i-chə-ˈlis-, -ich-wə-ˈlis-\ adjective

[LostSheep]

I think the way I tend to see it is that religion is organised: you've got a church, a set of beliefs, a set of rules that you have to follow in order to call yourself a member of that religion, and to call yourself "religious" you have to run your flag up one or other of the flagpoles that represent one particular religion. Sprituality, as I see it, is a more vague, if you like, sense of connection with something, that perhaps you might not be able to put your finger on exactly, or if you don't feel that what you believe can be fitted neatly into one particular category. Maybe "vague" is the wrong word, as that suggests you're not really sure what you believe in, or even if you do believe in anything. Maybe that you don't feel that you can attach yourself to one specific religion, would be a better way of putting it. Spiritualism, I tend to see as a more specific idea, of comunicating with spirits, etc; which could be a part of someone's spiritiuality, but is a more specific application of it, if you like.

I do hope that made some kind of sense. :-/

[mystic_zoe]

i dont know how to respond.. ive been sitting thinking about your post.. you said that you think that some people are maybe confusing religion and spirtiualism, but if anything some people are confusing religion and spirituality rather than spiritualism..
i agree that religion is where you have set rules to follow, set beliefs etc and possibly as place of worship (i.e. a church).
Spirituality being something in relation to your soul or spirit. either your connection with your chosen deities or god(s) or your connection with your soul.
Spiritualism being what the definition you gave said, "The belief that the dead communicate with the living, as through a medium"

maybe im wrong and have misunderstood what you've said..

[Greybird]

Yeah, I think you meant 'spirituality' rather than 'spiritualism'. Spiritualism is a religion in and of itself (depending on your definition ;) . )

When someone talks about being 'spiritual' or their 'spirituality', it doesn't refer to spiritualism at all.

Spirituality is simply something that deals with matters of the spirit. According to the dictionary (to follow the trend), spirituality is the quality or state of being spiritual. 'Spiritual' is something relating to matters of the spirit, of the sacred, of the relgious, or of spirits. Religion is one form of spirituality. Certain secular philosophies are spiritual. Certain experiences can be spiritual. For instance, reading Walt Whitman might make some people feel a connection to their spirit or the spirit of nature, and can thus be spiritual.

'Spirituality' is a much broader term than 'religon.' Religion can be defined for others (such as in a formal religion.) Spirituality is infinitely individual. It is impossible that two peoples' spirituality could be exactly identical, as no two peoples' lives and experiences are exactly identical.

[Lupabitch]

I would agree with the assessment that "religion" denotes something rather organized and possessed of dogma (not necessarily strict dogma, but definite rules and regs across the board). Spirituality, OTOH, is more free-flowing, though it may be a part of a religion as well. Religion also seems to be more group-based, while spirituality is of the individual, whether s/he is part of a group-based religion or not.

(Keep in mind these are generalizations, and settling of exceptions may occur during transport and handling.)

[sari0009]

As I read threw various threads and such one point keeps coming home, people consider thier spiritual practice to be unique to them and as such they should not be held to some other's standards.

So it sort of rasied the though do we not actually know the difference between religion and spiritualism? Do we spreak out in self defense of one thing only to discover that we mis-understood the meaning of the word? Or perhaps even worse never did know the meaning but only confused the defination with another.

Religion:

NOUN:


<LI type=a>Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.Main Entry: re·li·gion http://www.m-w.com/images/audio.gif (http://javascript<b></b>:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?religi02.wav=religion'))Pronunciation: \ri-ˈli-jən\ Function: noun Etymology: Middle English religioun, from Anglo-French religiun, Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back — more at rely (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/rely)Date: 13th century 1 a: the state of a religious (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/religious) <a nun in her 20th year of religion> b (1): the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2): commitment or devotion to religious (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/religious) faith or observance2: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/religious) attitudes, beliefs, and practices3archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/conscientiousness)4: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
— re·li·gion·less adjective



Spiritualism:

spir·i·tu·al·ism http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/t/pron.jpg (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/pronounce;_ylt=AkjQ1H.tub7OR65T57kcpgCugMMF?id=S0648400&path=prons/S0648400.wav) (sphttp://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/s/ibreve.gifrhttp://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/s/prime.gifhttp://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/s/ibreve.gif-chhttp://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/s/oomacr.gif-http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/s/schwa.gif-lhttp://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/s/ibreve.gifzhttp://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/s/lprime.gifhttp://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/edu/ref/ahd/s/schwa.gifm) KEY (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/pronunciation_key;_ylt=AjYU8K7KCLUpuM7R7Af4S46ugMMF)

NOUN:



<LI type=a>The belief that the dead communicate with the living, as through a medium.
The practices or doctrines of those holding such a belief.
A philosophy, doctrine, or religion emphasizing the spiritual aspect of being. spiritualism
Main Entry: spir·i·tu·al·ism http://www.m-w.com/images/audio.gif (http://javascript<b></b>:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?spirit10.wav=spiritualism'))Pronunciation: \ˈspir-i-chə-wə-ˌli-zəm, -i-chə-ˌli-, -ich-wə-ˌli-\ Function: noun Date: 1796 1: the view that spirit (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/spirit) is a prime element of reality2 a: a belief that spirits (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/spirits) of the dead communicate with the living usually through a medium bcapitalized : a movement comprising religious organizations emphasizing spiritualism
— spir·i·tu·al·ist http://www.m-w.com/images/audio.gif (http://javascript<b></b>:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?spirit11.wav=spiritualist')) \-list\ noun often capitalized
— spir·i·tu·al·is·tic http://www.m-w.com/images/audio.gif (http://javascript<b></b>:popWin('/cgi-bin/audio.pl?spirit12.wav=spiritualistic')) \ˌspir-i-chə-wə-ˈlis-tik, -i-chə-ˈlis-, -ich-wə-ˈlis-\ adjective

The conglomeration of associations gathered to form the dictionary definitions of the word “religion” include “piety,” “to bind, tie,” and an uber focus on belief that can, in some cases, be anti-magical and in denial of minority/personal religions -- the dictionary definitions of “religion” are overall more exclusive than inclusive.

Not all religions are so focused on belief as identity (dangerous) (http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=Sari0009&nextdate=12%2f1%2f2007+23%3a59%3a59.999), commitment, and the glue that holds people, communities, and religions together. Some religions seem to put more focus on ability, character, and connection.

Rather than belief as the defining character my religion, I’d say mine has more of a focus on joy, personal excellence, virtues (imagination being the most important virtue), and some of the wiser and more beneficial community standards.


Virtues & Power Paradigms (http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=Sari0009&nextdate=7%2f12%2f2007+23%3a59%3a59.999)


Virtues as Creative Common (http://www.xanga.com/home.aspx?user=Sari0009&nextdate=11%2f29%2f2007+23%3a59%3a59.999)
I don’t necessarily associate people, places, and things dogmatic with religion. Here (http://www.adf.org/articles/identity/is-adf-dogmatic.html) is an example why (though I’m not an ADF Druid).

Ideas of the divine and even deity may be involved in religion (yes, it’s possible to have a religion that doesn’t require Gods), but differ as to how exclusive/proprietary/inclusive they are (http://mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?p=3276230#post3276230).

“Spiritualism” seems very dated and peculiar due to be associations with spiritualists of a certain period in time. “Spirituality” is often a better word and it does overlap religion quite a bit, in a Venn diagram sort of way.

[Aominay]

I prefer this definition: the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.

Religion lives in action, spirituality lives in thought, belief and emotion. 'Religion' is what we do every day, it's our practice, it's putting our spirituality into motion.

We get so hung up on the term of 'religion', but it's truly just our actions every day. Regardless of what 'religion' we adhere to, our personal religion is enacted individually each and every moment, and it will be different for each and every person.

For me, religion comes in the practice of respect, in the practice of kindness, in the practice of sympathy and empathy, in the practice of responsibility. It also comes to me in setting out a clove of garlic on my kitchen counter each New Moon; in my practice of giving thanks to Goddess each night, in my meditation each day, in watching the snow fall, and in my workouts each morning (taking care of both spirit and body are intertwined in my practice).

Blessings,
Heather