The Difference Between Spirituality and Religion - And Why It Matters in Today's World
One's everyday life is never capable of being separated from his spiritual being.
Mahatma Ghandi
Ghandi said it quite succinctly, I believe. Spirituality is a part of you, it’s something that cannot be separated from your thinking, action-taking, self. It’s who you are, your morals, your values, what brings you joy.
Religion, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices. In other words, if you actively follow a particular religion, you adhere to its rules, you practice its rituals and you usually (though not always) associate with other members of the same religion.
Bear with me while I break it down a little further.
Many of us grew up with religion as part of our family culture. Depending largely on where you were born, you called yourself a Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, etc. Often with no real understanding of what the term meant.
For some, it meant they went along to Church on a Sunday with their parents. For others, it meant they attended a service on Christmas Eve and at Easter.
For some, it had a deeper meaning. They genuinely believed in God, his teachings and the teachings of their religious leader.
As they got older they may have become more immersed in their religion, or they may have delved into other religions as an attempt to discover what they, as a thinking adult, believed.
Or they may have rejected religion altogether and began to identify as an atheist. Incidentally, choosing not to believe in something? That’s a belief in itself.
Are you still with me?
Spirituality isn’t as ritualized as religion. That’s not to say that if you’re a Spiritualist you don’t participate in rituals, but rather that your rituals may change or fluctuate, depending on what your goal for practice is.
If you’re a Spiritualist, you may or may not believe in a God, Goddess, or the power of the Universe. Think of it this way: spiritualism is more of a practice ofbehavior rather than a practice of worship.
You know how some people seem to just radiate peace? These are the people we love to be around because they have a calming presence, an aura of tolerance about them, for everyone and every situation they meet.
These are spiritual people, whether they use that word to identify themselves or not. These are the people that are confident in their core beliefs, are quietly getting on with things. They usually find themselves in a corner at social events, offering advice to all that ask for it.
Why is it important to know the difference between spirituality and religion?
Because, while spirituality and religion both have their place in the world we live in, spirituality is going to heal the world a lot quicker than religion will. And people are becoming more and more disillusioned with religion but still want to identify as spiritual beings.
But don’t just take my word for it. Ask anyone who has been caught up in someone else’s religious war, or any victim of an injustice due to sex, color, or belief.
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “Any religion that professes to be concerned about the souls of men and is not concerned about the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them and the social conditions that cripple them is a spiritually moribund religion awaiting burial.”
I’m certainly not about to argue with Mr. King but I both agree and disagree with him, on this one. I don’t think religion is going to die out anytime soon, but I do think that an emphasis on the values of religion, rather than the rules, is going to help to heal the world. And I don’t think anyone’s going to argue with me that the world doesn’t need healing.
What’s the best way to heal the world?
I don’t want to sound like the lyrics to a pop song here but, we heal the world by healing ourselves. And that’s where our faith in religion and spirituality come into it. We have to heal our own souls if we want to heal the collective soul.
A final quote for you
"Because I'm a doctor, I know when you have an injury it will heal if it's clean enough to heal; if your injury is dirty, it won't heal. And so when you are talking in societies, we are also talking in healing processes, and for a good healing process, you need to make things right."Michelle Bachelet
Spiritualism and Religion both have the power to lift your spirits, to bring you joy, and perhaps most importantly, give you hope. We need to share the hope. In our future, our selves, and the world we want to leave to the next generation.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.