As I Compare/Contrast the Similarities and Differences Between Spirituality and Religion Essay

As I compare/contrast the similarities and differences between spirituality and religion. it is obvious that both words go along with each other. According to Hays and Erford, "a related term to spirituality is religion which represents the behaviors and practices of individual's faith. Thus, religion is the organization of spirituality"(Hays and Erford, 2014, 2010, pg. 9). As you read more and gain more insight into spirituality and religion, you can see that there is a difference between them. It's not a big difference because eventually they will both come together or fall under the same umbrella. The difference is that religion is an organization/ body of people expressing their beliefs/ way of life in a Divine Creator. Some religions include Christianity, Catholicism, Buddhism and Judaism. Spiritually "provides direction, meaning, and purpose and guides other components for individuals" (Hays and Erford, 2014, 2010, pg. 9). So you have your organization, the place you worship in, and then within that, spiritually steps in and provide you with meaning and purpose. It also gives direction and a connection with others, the world, and the universe. Poll and Smith's model of spiritual identity is based on one's self in relation to God. The model consist of 4 stages starting from early childhood, when you really don't know much about religion because you are young and don't really understand the concept when your parents are trying to teach you about the bible. The model then goes all the way up until you fully understand and have a relationship with God. The first stage is called the pre-awareness stage this is when individuals have not had or yet been through spiritual experiences. The second stage is the awakening stage this stage emerge when one has been through a a lot of pain and hardship, consequential challenges in life, leaving one emotionally hurt and needing an availing hand so they then become aware of God. The third stage is the apperception stage which "involves a cognitive and emotional understanding of God that permeates all life subsistence and experiences" (Hays and Erford, 2014, 2010, pg. 54). The fourth and final stage is the integration stage this according to Hays and Erford is "marked by internalized notions of God that order perceptions, interactions, relationships, and behaviors" (Hays and Erford, 2014, 2010, pg. 54). I utterly agree with the 4 stages of Poll and Smith's model of spiritual identity. I agree because as I look back at my life and examine my it, as a child, I didn't understand the Lord and surely didn't know what praying was about. It wasn't until I grew older and found myself in a lot of trouble and hitting rock bottom, that I decided to look up and seek the Lord with all my heart. It was then that the truth was revealed to me and I begin to understand who and what I had confessed a belief in and was now praying to and what it would and could for for me.