1. Spirituality vs. Religious

2. I’m spiritual
I’m religious

3. What does that mean?? What does that mean?? Religious? Spiritual?
Atheist?
Agnostic?
Religious?
Spiritual?
Atheist?
Agnostic?
Are you like either of these people? Do you describe yourself as religious, spiritual, atheist, or agnostic? Do you know what all of these terms mean? There are a variety of definitions for all of them. As a health care provider, you’ll encounter people in stressful situations, and being familiar with different belief systems can help you help your patients through these situations. In learning about world religions, the most important thing is to keep an open mind. You will likely come in contact with many people whose beliefs differ from yours. The goal is to treat others as you would like to be treated, even if you don’t agree with their beliefs. This may sometimes mean removing yourself from a situation when your beliefs conflict with those of others. That’s acceptable as long as you handle it properly, without offending those involved.

4. Definitions
Religious: relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity Spiritual: of, relating to, consisting of, or affecting the spirit. Atheist: one who believes that there is no deity Agnostic: a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and probably unknowable; broadly : one who is not committed to believing in either the existence or the nonexistence of God or a god
Here are definitions from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary for various categories of religious belief. Which one do you feel best describes you? What are your impressions of those who describe themselves using these terms? Religion can be defined as “the service and worship of God or the supernatural.” Is it possible to subscribe to that definition that and not consider yourself part of a specific tradition?

5. Religious Religion Specific beliefs Specific practices
People who describe themselves as religious generally have a specific set of beliefs related to the divine. Religion generally involves being part of a community, and having a set of shared ideas and practices. These ideas and practices generally related to becoming closer to the divine—salvation for a Christian, nirvana for a Buddhist. You may think of religion as something that only happens in a church or other specific place, but the truth is that religion can affect every aspect of society. A person’s religious beliefs and practices can affect her every day life, in everything from saying a prayer before eating to how she treats others. An example of this is the belief, common to many religions, that good acts lead to rewards in the afterlife or your next life. That belief can motivate a believer to treat others well.

6. Connection to something greater than oneself
Spiritual
Spirituality
Religion
Specific beliefs
Specific practices
Spirituality is a broader term, and someone who is religious could also be described as spiritual. The terms are even sometimes used interchangeably. A person who describes himself as spiritual may still believe in God, or some sort of “higher power,” and have his own way of connecting with this higher power. Many people who consider themselves spiritual reject the specific practices of various religions and instead choose to create their own belief systems or rituals. For example, instead of attending church services, a spiritual person may meditate alone or with others as a way of connecting the divine.
Connection to something greater than oneself

7. Faith
Faith means trust or hope, often in something that cannot be seen or may seem hopeless. The family of a patient who is seriously injured may have faith that the person will recover, and express that faith through prayer. In a religious context, faith is generally thought of as “faith in God” but like spirituality, faith and religion are also terms that are sometimes used interchangeably. Someone who is spiritual or adamantly denies belief in any higher power may still have faith—faith in a person, faith in a process—hope that something will or will not happen.

8. Not a great picture—want someone more sympathetic-looking
Working in the field of health care, you will likely encounter people seeking hope—for themselves, for their loved ones. It’s not important that you know each person’s specific set of beliefs. Having a general knowledge of the major religions can help you provide spiritual support when you do know a person is part of a specific tradition. If you don’t know, remember that connection and support are what most people are looking for, and that those are what help give people hope and the ability to face frightening situations.

9. Keep an open mind!
So what does all this mean to you? On a personal level, consider your own beliefs and be prepared to learn about the beliefs of others without judgment. As a health care professional, you can use what you learn to help those in need. Consider this: when a patient comes in for medical treatment, as part of the health history, are they asked about their religious or spiritual beliefs and affiliations? Is this important information? You may be able to offer the services of a chaplain or social worker employed at your facility. Family members may want to contact their religious leader and have that person visit a sick or injured person. It’s your job to do what you can to help a person both physically and emotionally.