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Definition
Even though there is much dispute among researchers regarding accurate definitions of spirituality and religion, it is generally accepted that spirituality concerns the exploration for the sacred, celestial, or transcendent side of life, while religion can be defined as a perception, influence, and behavior which emerges from a consciousness of, or alleged contact with, metaphysical entities which are deemed to perform an essential role in human life. Moreover, in contemporary society, the formation of a dichotomy is being witnessed: with spirituality representing the personal, subjective, inner-directed, unsystematic, liberating expression and religion signifying a formal, authoritarian, institutionalized inhibiting expression. Yet the concept of religion may further be separated into two categories: intrinsic and extrinsic religion. Intrinsic religion is an internalized faith which becomes an innate outlook on...
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References and Further Readings
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Gallagher, S., Phillips, A. C., Lee, H. A. N., & Carroll, D. (2015). The association between spirituality and depression in parents caring for children with developmental disabilities: Social support and/or last resort. Journal of Religion and Health, 54(1), 358–370.
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Gallagher, S., Tierney, W. (2016). Religion/Spirituality. In: Gellman, M., Turner, J. (eds) Encyclopedia of Behavioral Medicine. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_488-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6439-6_488-2
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