Why Is It Important to Know about Religiosity vs Spirituality?
8th February 2021
“Religiosity vs Spirituality” is an article designed to elucidate the distinctions between the two, enabling you to make an informed decision about which path aligns with your personal beliefs. It will guide you in understanding the transition from spirituality to religiosity. Now, let’s begin.
WHAT IS RELIGIOSITY?
The English dictionary describes religiosity as “a strong religious feeling or belief.” However, in this article, we use it to mean thinking, speaking, and acting in a religious manner. But what does this religious behavior entail?
Religion encompasses a system of beliefs, doctrines, teachings, traditions, and practices. Some religious systems cling to ancient beliefs that modern science has only recognized as beliefs, not facts. Certain beliefs can be harmful to humans and other animals.
So, how can we discern which beliefs are factual and which are merely beliefs? To address this, I have dedicated time and effort to writing this article: religiosity versus spirituality. We will compare the two to determine which is beneficial or detrimental. Hence, we have clarified our definition of religiosity.
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Determining when a belief is purely religious can be challenging, especially since religion often involves the supernatural, which eludes verification by modern scientific methods.
In this context, religiosity may refer to clinging to ancient, unverified beliefs that are widely recognized as fictitious. For instance, is there any validity in the notion that slaughtering a goat in a specific manner can cure illnesses today, or did it ever in the past? Is it possible for an iron axe to float on the surface of a perpetually flowing river?
The scrutiny of religious beliefs raises numerous questions, and the more we rationalize these beliefs, the more absurd and nonsensical they may seem. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that billions of people still hold these beliefs, and to dismiss them as foolish could be perilous.
Let’s delve deeper into this discussion below.
When Does It Become Religious?
When does a thought become religious? How can one discern if a contemplation is merely a religious notion, a belief, or someone else’s concept? How does one recognize if their spoken or written words are simply unverified assertions?
By referring to the basic definition of religiosity, one can address these questions and many others like them. It suggests that thoughts become religious when they cannot be clearly explained using any human language.
Take, for instance, my late father’s aversion to honey because he believed bees produced it from human waste. That was his firm belief. But is it factual? He was convinced because he witnessed it, making it impossible to persuade him otherwise.
However, bees utilize various sources to produce honey, don’t they? Hence, to make honey, one must indeed be a bee.
Lies often spread more rapidly than truths, particularly in the context of COVID-19, where myths and fabricated stories abound. Believing and acting on such misinformation can have serious, even fatal consequences.
Certain beliefs are perceived as religious; for instance, the notion that a red-colored drink transforms into actual human blood upon a priest’s blessing is considered a religious belief.
It is also deemed religious to believe that one transcends their physical form, or that tithing and sowing seeds will guarantee a bountiful return. The label extends to any belief associated with deceit.
The conviction that the earth is flat and rests on a colossal sea turtle is categorized as a religious belief. Similarly, the belief in the healing properties of cow dung for wounds is seen as both religious and archaic. A belief is often labeled as religious when it fails to function as claimed.
What’s Wrong With Religiosity?
Religiosity, which is essentially a philosophy meaning ‘love of wisdom,’ is comparable to modern science in its pursuit of knowledge. Who wouldn’t want to embrace wisdom and be seen as wise? Thus, religiosity is beneficial when it does not lead to harm. It serves a purpose when it enlightens us on matters beyond scientific confirmation.
For instance, the essence of life, much like the nature of electricity, remains a mystery. We harness electricity for numerous beneficial applications, yet its true nature eludes us. Religiosity becomes detrimental when it deceives people, when it fosters belief in harmful ideologies, and when it incites actions based on those beliefs.
Consider the implications of committing violence against others with the expectation of heavenly reward. Does a divine entity truly desire conflict and destruction as a means of proving devotion? If such are the demands of a deity, then it is a path one might choose to reject.
Religiosity can be beneficial when it extends beyond the limits of natural sciences. It furthers the pursuit of understanding life and other profound matters that remain beyond the reach of even our finest scientific techniques. Religiosity instills hope for the future, and hope is indeed a valuable thing.
Religiosity fortifies our minds, which in turn have a significant impact on our physical being. The value of religiosity is dual-faceted; it can be both detrimental and beneficial, contingent upon its application.
WHAT IS SPIRITUALITY?
On the other hand, we need to define spirituality. An English dictionary describes spirituality as “The quality of being concerned with the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.” However, for the purposes of this article, spirituality refers to the ways we think, speak, and act that are aligned with the spirit. What, then, are these ways or things?
Furthermore, spirituality is grounded in the confirmed realities of life, not merely beliefs, doctrines, teachings, traditions, and practices. Spirituality is seen as positive, whereas religiosity is viewed as negative. Spirituality is fact-based and largely personal, while religiosity, in this context, is founded on unconfirmed beliefs and is generally collective.
For instance, within religiosity, I simply believe that Jesus was born of a virgin—don’t ask me how. I believe he performed all the acts attributed to him in the Bible. I believe he was executed, buried, and resurrected on the third day. Don’t challenge me on the mechanics of these events.
Spirituality, on the other hand, takes into account the factual historical records of Jesus’s conception, birth, life, death, and resurrection. My belief is not based solely on hearsay; these events are verifiable through the Bible and other sources.
In spirituality, personal verification through research is essential. Many skeptics have embarked on research to disprove these narratives, only to end up as believers themselves. C.S. Lewis and Lee Strobel are notable examples of this phenomenon.
The distinction between religiosity and spirituality is evident. Religiosity often involves adherence to the rituals and dogmas of a religion, while spirituality is more about personal belief and the quest for truth.
The essence of spirituality lies not in the belief itself, but in the veracity of the events it claims. For instance, did Jesus truly rise from the dead? Is life inherently spiritual? Is it possible to comprehend the spiritual realm? If so, how can we achieve this understanding?
Spirituality is a quest for answers to these profound questions. It does not accept beliefs merely because they are widely held; instead, it seeks evidence and accepts claims only when they are substantiated by facts, rather than the collective belief of society. Indeed, billions of people might hold onto a falsehood for millennia until a more accurate truth emerges.
When Does It Become Spiritual?
When does the concept become spiritual? How do we discern the line between religiosity and spirituality? How do we identify each? When something is tangible and not merely a belief, it is considered spiritual. Spiritual entities are not based on belief; they exist regardless of our recognition.
Consider that everything perceptible and tangible has a spiritual essence. This implies that while it may have a physical representation, its true composition is spiritual. Take a stone, for instance. On a chemical level, a stone consists of minuscule elements invisible to the naked eye. Delving deeper, one discovers the essence of the stone: spirit, which remains unseen.
If the spiritual realm is the unseen, intangible, yet actual world, then spirituality is grounded in reality. Spirits, benevolent or malevolent, are real. They have always existed and will continue indefinitely. We, too, are spiritual entities. This fact does not depend on belief; it remains true regardless of belief.
Exploring the spiritual aspect of all things, animate and inanimate, is a profound challenge for several reasons. Firstly, we must acknowledge the reality of the spiritual realm, but the question remains: how? Secondly, we must uncover the spiritual realm, but again, how? Lastly, we must heed the insights of those who have knowledge or personal experiences of the spiritual world.
The Bible purports to be a record of such supernatural occurrences, including the sun standing still in the sky at a man’s command to a higher supernatural power. Consider the transformation of water into wine, the withering of a fig tree by command, and the multiplication of bread and fish.
Setting aside these accounts for a moment, as they may seem anecdotal, is there anything akin to what the Bible describes? Have you personally encountered any spiritual phenomena that defy scientific explanation? I have.
In South Sudan, the existence of spiritual phenomena doesn’t require belief, for one can simply enter a village and witness them firsthand. Are you prepared for such a spiritual journey? Let’s embark on it together!
What Is Right with Spirituality?
Now, what is correct about spirituality? In this context, spirituality is grounded in verified facts, making it entirely reasonable to accept it as truth. In contrast, religiosity, as previously discussed, is often rooted in falsehoods and rumors, making it incorrect to accept it as truth. This is the central argument of this article, isn’t it?
If historical evidence could verify that Jesus was born of a virgin who had never been with a man before conceiving, then that would be a fact. If excavations reveal dinosaur remains in the earth, confirming their existence long ago, as acknowledged in the Book of Job, then that is true. If the sick are healed when we pray for them, then that is a fact, not merely a belief, right?
If the belief in a simple message of love, the good news, can lead to positive changes in people’s lives, then it supports the idea that every human possesses a spirit. This spirit can undergo renewal or transformation, leading to an improved life for those who once had detrimental habits and lifestyles. If a change in mindset can indeed better people’s lives, then the existence of a spiritual realm is affirmed. Moreover, if spirits have the power to drive people to madness, then the reality of the spiritual world is undeniable.
Should spirituality enable a deeper self-understanding, then nurturing this spiritual awareness becomes essential. If understanding God enhances one’s comprehension of the surrounding world, then it is a worthy pursuit to deepen one’s knowledge of God daily.
If miracles or wonders (distinct from magic tricks) truly exist, recognizing their authenticity, understanding their mechanisms, and learning to harness them for our advantage is justified. Historically, people in Africa utilized these supernatural principles to influence the natural world. They knew actions to induce rain or halt it and methods to safeguard themselves from harmful insects, amphibians, and reptiles, with effective results as anticipated.
YOU HAVE A PERSONAL CHOICE
The decision has always been in your hands. Even before we delved into the discussion of religiosity versus spirituality, you were aware of your position. From the start of our conversation, you’ve known where you stand. Now, it’s my turn to listen.
There’s no need for you to reply to me. Reflect on the insights you’ve gleaned from this article. These pieces are crafted for my online readers, so if you’re perusing a printed copy, don’t worry about the online jargon.
What I’m saying is that, regardless of the learning or beliefs I’ve proposed, the choice is ultimately yours. You might view religiosity and spirituality as just two facets of the same entity.
You may believe that both religiosity and spirituality are intrinsically linked to religion. For those who don’t subscribe to any belief in deities, engaging with such subjects might seem irrelevant, given their association with the concept of a God.
And that’s a perspective shared by others as well. We are all unique, and that’s a natural occurrence. That’s why I urge you to explore and then enhance your understanding of yourself by revisiting these articles time and again. We can always make time for the significant aspects of our lives.
MY FINAL WORDS
Here are my final words to you, my child. In my mind, I am an old man before my body has aged. Thus, you are my child. I am here to impart knowledge, experience, and above all, wisdom. It is wise to seek balance in all that you know and believe.
Consider this: none of us knows everything, right? I don’t have complete knowledge about God or the spiritual realm. My understanding of both the physical and spiritual worlds is limited. No one can grasp everything. However, we must share the knowledge we possess, and that is why I am present.
If I have inadvertently offended you, please forgive and forget. We must find a balance or a middle ground. Extremism is unnecessary on either side of the debate. Whether I believe in God, gods, and spirits or not, it is not a reason to harbor animosity if you do not share those beliefs.
The essence of balance is not about agreement or disagreement; it’s about recognizing our shared humanity. We must accept each other as individuals, even if we don’t align with all viewpoints.
It’s intriguing to consider that our beliefs are often pre-established, even before we become aware of them. It’s natural to choose a side, provided it doesn’t cause significant harm to ourselves or others. I trust this article has been beneficial to you. Let’s continue the conversation on social media.
For further contact, please visit www.johnshalom.com, and we can connect. Wishing you God’s blessings and safety during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.
FURTHER READINGS
- Religiosity—Wikipedia
- Religiosity—Dictionary
- Religiosity—Pew Research Center