Religion is an organized set of beliefs and practices that facilitate communication with a Higher Power. It is generally based on a belief in a deity and is governed by morals and rules of conduct. The purpose of religion is to unite people.
There are various ways to define religion. It can be a system of social and cultural values, or it can be a group of individual beliefs. Religious behavior involves outward expressions of reverence. These include dress and other rituals.
Religious participation is the act of attending religious services. In most cases, individuals do not perform rituals, but instead attend religious services. Depending on the religion, religious participants may pray once a week, participate in a service, or participate in a tradition.
Spirituality is a subset of religion that refers to a more personal relationship with the sacred. It combines a religious slant with a mystical experience. Many religions incorporate profound spiritual texts. A number of studies have examined the connection between spirituality and physical illness.
Aside from its mystical qualities, spirituality has practical benefits as well. For example, it can help HIV/AIDS patients cope with disease. Similarly, high levels of spirituality can reduce mental problems. Those who are not religious may find that they benefit from a closeness with the divine.
When discussing religion and spirituality, the lines are often blurry. While the term “spiritual” is a useful shorthand for an experience that is beyond the scope of ordinary religious practices, it is not clear what defines a truly spiritual experience.