Key Concepts (printable)

Religion
Definition:	Religion is an organized system of beliefs, practices and symbols designed to facilitate closeness to God.
Examples:	Examine Religion in the following examples: Example 1: A Catholic person attends mass regularly as a symbol of his devotion to the Catholic religion. Example 2: People of the Muslim faith pray to Allah facing east (in the direction of Mecca) five times a day as a reflection of their commitment to the Muslim religion.
Application:	Many people findcomfort and security adhering to the rules and rituals outlined by their religion.
Spirituality
Definition:	Spirituality Awareness of the divine or sacred core that underlies everyday life.  Involves transcendence, deeper dimension of human life, inner world of the soul, and search for meaning.
Examples:	Examine Spirituality in the following example: Example 1: A person, who does not go to church, but communicates with God by meditation. This person who feels that his meaning of life comes from helping other people and communicating with nature might be considered spiritual.
Application:	Bill believes that religion puts too many rules and rituals between himself and a higher power and he doesn’t like the way religions personify God. However he believes in a higher being and lives his life in a purposeful, caring way because of this.