Religion is a complex concept that encompasses a range of aspects. It can be categorized as institutional, traditional, or nontraditional. Its varying definitions are difficult to distinguish from modern conceptions of spirituality. Although many Americans claim a connection to a particular religion, their definitions may be limited or even inaccurate.
Across different cultures, religion is an important part of life. It can be a source of meaning and purpose. It also provides community, social, and spiritual grounding. For example, in some African contexts, spirituality is seen as a subset of religion. Yet for most Africans, traditional religion remains an essential background.
While religion is often associated with institutions, many individuals are spiritual but not religious. Among the spiritual but not religious groups, a high percentage of people have ambivalent feelings about religion. However, ambivalence toward religious institutions is different from claiming harm from religious institutions. Moreover, ambivalence does not necessarily lead to an active opposition to oppressive institutions.
Religion and spirituality share many similarities, but they are fundamentally different. One is a community-based system of beliefs and practices, whereas the other is an individual belief system. While spirituality is not necessarily a part of a religion, it is a vital part of a person’s life.