Religion may refer to “individual acknowledgment of superhuman divine power, and particularly a special God or gods entitled to submission and worship” (Fontana 6). Spirituality in both secular and religious arena refers to a force that unifies the unseen and the seen dimensions. In religious view, it represents a belief (Fontana 6). Throughout many centuries, religion has continued to dominate upon the reasoning and actions of humankind.
Even presently, it is observable that religion instills profound effect on persons and diverse cultures globally. A view of religion or spiritualism as under the domination of dreary sermons, with individual confessions about salvation would misplace several elements that underlie these fields (Nelson 8). Religion itself is a source of motivation for noble actions regarding personal surrender and altruism.
These two concepts coexist and operate to touch at least all domains of human world. For example, most of the world’s structural design is under the influence of religion. The mosques have their unique architectural design and so do Christians, Buddhists, Hindu, and several other religions. Religion affects aesthetics, paintings, cultures, music and so on globally (Fontana 1). Spiritualism as I view it inspires humankind to inculcate moral plus ethical systems and philosophize about them. Additionally, man has become more cautious on reason and purpose of existence and life that waits after death. Attributable to these, development of approaches for changing consciousness likes prayer and meditation transform regularly as man is in quest for better ways of satisfying their spiritualism.
Spirituality provides people with psychological well being, solace, and purpose of existing in the world. Countless people receive their livelihood through spirituality. This is notwithstanding scholarship and education beneficiaries through these systems (Nelson 5). Most institutions have grown and expanded their political power and wealth through religion. Although these two dominions have vast constructive implications globally, they have also been sources of great loss and pain.
Social and customary divisions presently exist due to these, for example, countless barbaric wars like the Jihad tolerable and propagated by some religions have caused great losses globally (Nelson 3). Extermination and extra-judicial carnage, impaired families, disrupted careers across many sectors have emanated from spirituality. Dogmatic mentality and conduct, obstructed educational systems, and incorrigible parental punishment systems result from some religions (Fontana 2).
In addition, justified social structuring, sexual abuses, and gender imbalance propagated by in some religions have led to redundancy in education, performing arts, and general development. Spirituality has both its merits and negative influences globally. Recent occurrences and issues surrounding spirituality creates much doubt and debate about the right or wrong religion as everyone feels sufficiently justified with strong faith convictions. However, I consider personal contact with ones spiritual super being as more preferable. Thus, everyone has privilege to reverence when there is no interference with others.
Works Cited
Fontana, David. Psychology, religion, and spirituality. Massachusetts, MA: Wiley-Blackwell, 2003. Print.
Nelson, James. Psychology, Religion, and Spirituality. New York, NY: Springer, 2009. Print.