What is the difference between spirituality

and religion?
What is the difference between spirituality and religion?
- Anonymous

When speaking about the differences between religion and spirituality we

need to remember that there are different perspectives when looking at this
question. This answer will focus on a Christian perspective.
From a Christian understanding there is a difference between religion and
spirituality. Though there is a difference between religion and spirituality,
this does not mean that two are incompatible. From a Christian perspective
to be Spiritual is to know that Jesus Christ came in the flesh and is King
and Savior (1 John 4:2). From a Christian understanding nothing else is
Spiritual. This might seem harsh, especially considering all the different
religions and spiritual perspectives that there are in the world.
But spirituality is not determined on what people feel or experience.
Spirituality is determined on knowing God, because God is Spirit and the
only way to worship him is through his Spirit (John 4:4). And knowing the
truth about God can only come from God (1 Corinthians 2:11).
This makes sense when we think about it. In that we can never know what
a person is thinking unless they tell us what they are thinking. In the same
way, no-one can know God unless God tells us about himself.
In terms of Religion, it is an organised matter of worship. It is humans
following rules and regulations in the worship of God. But religion is not
incompatible to knowing God. When we look at history in the Bible, we see
that God created a religion for the nation of Israel at Mt Sinai after they
came out of Egypt (Exodus 19).
But following a religion was not as important to God as the people being
committed to him (Isaiah 1:13-14).

That not is to say that religion is not important to God. But if a persons
heart is not in it, then being religious will not impress God. For as God
says, a Christian is saved by grace (a free gift given by God because of
Jesus) and not by works so no-one can boast (Ephesians 2:8).
A final point on religion. In Christianity it is essential to have organised
religion. Because what God is doing in the world is building his church.
Which is to say that God is bringing his people together to serve him (1
Peter 2:5). The bible uses the analogy of a body being like the church (1
Corinthians 12:15-20). Because people are different but we need to come
together to serve God. That takes organisation, and religion provides
Christians with an organisation they need to serve God.
A good book to read about Spirituality in Australia is Stirrings of the Soul by
Michael Raiter.