So, as most people believe, there is a huge difference between the two. This includes myself, but I always find myself unable to articulate just what I believe the difference is. I just really have a feeling. I think it's something like religion has set rules that its followers are supposed to follow. Whereas spirituality is an individual understanding of the greater picture in terms of human nature and the supernatural (the concept of God, the possibility of an afterlife, etc.).

So I'm curious about what people on totse think that the difference (if any) is.

Spirituality is an individuals beliefs and practices relating to 'the spirit', to God, to the nature of reality, life and how to live it.

Religion is an organization of people subscribing to the same spiritual beliefs and practices which are dictated to the masses by an elite and are to be accepted without question. Religion seems to always fall corrupt, as it is a great opportunity to fulfill greed and to manipulate society.

There is nothing wrong with spirituality. Organized religion is bad for society, because it is wrong to accept something without believing in any reason to do so and it is wrong to dictate spirituality to others and not allow them to develop it individually, and to do so knowing they will not question it with the intent to use their foolishness for personal gain.

The this is my take on it: The religious pray they don't go to hell; the spiritual pray that they never go back.

Spirituality - They search for knowledge, knowledge that will be applied to their own personal understanding and their own personal transformation. They seek guidance from many sources of information and apply what works for their unique spark of consciousness.

Religion - They lead you to the knowledge and force you to eat it. Ignoring the many other possibilities that may have a higher resonance with an entity.

Spirituality draws a big circle to draw people in.

Religion draws a small circle to keep people out.

__________________
". . .avoid confrontation, for it fuels the ego and strengthens the power of the subconscious over your affairs. The sage walks away, the fool stands and fights." -- Stuart Wilde

With spirituality, people follow their own delusions.
Whereas religion imposes it's delusions on to others.

They are both just as ignorant of reality as each other, but spirituality is more egocentric than religion, and religion is more authoritarian than spirituality.

Religion is Dogma for the masses based on a few peoples divine experiences it is often filled with tradition and dogma Christianity, Islam and Judaism are religions. It is for society not for individuals.

While Spirituality is the dogma you make for yourself based on your own experience with the divine. It is for individuals and not for society. Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism are spiritual traditions.

The Inner / Esoteric traditions are hard to tell, in my opinion they mix. Gnosticism (inner Christianity), Kabbalah (inner Judaism) and Sufism (Inner Islam) are a mixture of dogma and Personal spiritual progress and personal salvation.

Either way they both have one thing in common, hold back the ego... The way one goes about it is different.

Going into detail of my own experience with religion and spirituality, I'll give my honest view of the two: Religion is the set of beliefs one holds as to their understanding of God. Spirituality is the relationship one has with their God. Religion, then, is a very small part of spirituality: It is, in essence, your opinion of God.

My religion is such: I take heed of man's written records, both holy and historical. And such, I take heed of man's spoken records, both holy and historical. And such, I take heed of man's actions, both spiritual and physical. As a result of lending an ear to reality, I've seen some grand power at work in every aspect of existence throughout ALL time...I've seen the actions of this grand power at work throughout the ages; reflected in the organization of the material world beyond Earth, in Earth, in society, and within the capacities of man. As such, I've come to find a specific religious belief in Christ: the account of his appearance marked a crucial turning point in society, in smaller groups, and in individuals. I sincerely believe that the birth, life, and death of Jesus is paramount to any other action coordinated by the Grand Power since the very creation of the material world.

My spirituality is such: Be honest, be open-minded, be willing; find my weaknesses, seek experience of those who have overcome these same weaknesses, prepare to overcome; seek to help others, seek those I have harmed, make amends where due; watch for new problems, seek a stronger bond with God, and share my experience with any who want it.

So godfather; you make a keen observation in speaking of the religious component as external and the spiritual component as internal.

doesn't Hinduism promote a strong caste system, and makes its believers follow it with the promise that those who obey the social hierarchy will be better off in a later life? That sounds just like the feudalistic Catholic Church to me.

Indeed, religion is for the outside its what people slap on to you because, people are to quick to label. Oh your a Jew, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu... Etc the list goes on and on. Religion has become more of a label than anything else. My religion is Gnostic Christianity... So I am a Gnostic Christian if you were to label me.

However, spirituality is for the inside its what you understand from your experiences of life (internal and external). Spirituality has become more of proper term for those who seek a better life and fuller life. When I say better I mean it in their own understanding, not some, BMW Sports Car and Mansion type bullshit. To be honest I cant label myself and God wouldn't label me because I feel I am (as well as everyone else) a part of that Being named God, yet Transcends the very name and ideas we call God.

All I can say for myself is "I am Who I am..." Something Moses heard God said at the burning bush, which always meant to me, just pure being thats me and God in this spiritual union.