Spiritual vs Religious

Jenna Atkinson
Jul 24, 2017 · 2 min read
Image by Ben White

Many years ago, a coaching client of mine completed a long questionnaire. She wrote her goals — what she loves and dreams to do in life. It was beautiful.

She envisioned being a spiritual teacher. She loved psychology. I really enjoyed reading her feelings about people and how she wanted to help.

Yet when we talked, I used the word spiritual, just like she had.

I was shocked when she blurted out, Oh I don’t want anything to do with that religion crap. She was projecting her fear of me shoving religion down her throat.

It seemed as though she was fighting with herself. She wrote of spiritual endeavors. Yet she recoiled when she heard the word spoken.

I believe this exchange was a gift for me. I needed to remember the pain people have endured [myself included] from spiritual boundaries being crossed. A pain that I must be sensitive to.

When I had this conversation, it wasn’t that long after I had corrected my own assumption that the two meanings were intertwined.

I recall reading a personality profile on myself stating that the INFP tends to be spiritual. I glossed over this because I was thinking religious. Nope I’m not religious.

I’m done with the hate and separation between people that religion brings, I thought. I was projecting my own meaning onto the word.

When I use the word spiritual, I’m referring to the spirit that lives within all beings.

Some people practice their spirituality within the structure of a religion. Some just use religious rules and judgment to separate themselves from others.

My God is the Unmanifested that you commune with, with or without rituals.

In my world, what matters is the intent of your heart.


I’m Jenna Atkinson and I’m an intuitive. I do readings and teach how to notice and understand the signs of guidance you’re receiving.

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