SPIRITUALITY

RELIGIOSITY
• Both believe
• Spirituality places little
and desire to • Religion usually entails
importance on intellectual
have a adhering to a certain
beliefs but is concerned
relationship with dogma or belief system.
with growing into and
this higher power.
experiencing the Divine • Quite often religion
consciousness. • Both have takes the approach of
• Spirituality places little rituals and fearing God. Religion is
importance on intellectual practices which often concerned with sin,
beliefs but is concerned deepen one’s guilt and a concept of a
with growing into and religiosity or God who punishes
experiencing the Divine spirituality.
consciousness.

Religion is a path to God. Spirituality is also a path to God. What differs the two terms is their approaches.
With this stated, I assess myself of having conformed to most of the definitions of spirituality. Yes, I do believe
in God and all the teachings of the Catholic Church since I was born because of the influence of my family. It is
a must do in the family to attend mass on Sundays, participate in church activities, and to celebrate any religious
gatherings. I was influenced by my elders especially my mom to spare my time in the Church and to pray
fervently.
Firstly, I am spiritual rather than religious because I do not fear God. Instead, I believe that God is through
the path of love and that this love has no judgment, only acceptance. Since I was a kid, my elders would say that
I should not do things that are detrimental to others because in their words, "masuko si Papa God." As a child,
knowingly that someone might get angry has the fear of incurring punishments. And with this, this has stuck in
my mind that every time I sin, I will be punished. But as time passes by, this belief has been wiped out. With all
the experiences that I encountered, I was able to experience the essence of God and that made me realize that
my sins do not define me. My sins are just stepping stones for me to aid this ignorance inside.
Secondly, experience versus belief. With the influence of my family on my religion, I was able to believe
zealously the teachings and dogma of the Catholic Church. But that does not limit to that, my experiences with
God are more than my beliefs in my religion. During the darkest part of life, I was able to question my faith but
God has always been with me. Losing a sister is very painful and heart-breaking but God never left me on my
sorrow. He gave me strength to overcome and move on through all the means that He bestowed. And with all
these stated, I learned the importance of valuing relationships rather than things. Through the darkest part of my
life, God carried me and through this, I experienced the divine consciousness and power which in my realization,
answered the reason of my belief.
 Thirdly, I believe that all religions are valid and all of us will attain salvation. All of us are created by a
Divine Being which is so powerful and magnificent and that, He will make us all experience His goodness. I do
not conform to the belief that specific religions are the ones that can only be saved but what I am into is
universality. All of us have different beliefs and each of us have varying ways of professing our faith but at the
end of line, we all have the same goal which is salvation. And that should accentuate rather than degrading
others of their beliefs.
Being spiritual has contributed a lot on my being. My belief has made me realize things that are of beyond what
I expected. Through my faith, I am optimistic, family-oriented, goal-driven, and passionate; among others.
Whenever I experience struggles, I stick to God and without me knowing He works silently. My spirituality has
led me to happiness, to value relationships and to be compassionate. Without my faith, I cannot imagine how to
handle myself especially in the time that I considered the darkest stage in my life. I was able to assess the
different aspects of myself and that made me correct those wrongdoings and stick on the other side around. My
faith has led me to know myself more and be able to construct this present self.