What makes a practice “religious”, and not just a regular activity?
Part of the answer relates to attitude, in how one enters and responds to an experience.
A distinction can be seen with a few examples:
A pilgrimage vs. a business trip to Jerusalem
Yoga vs. “working out” at a gym
A Bach cantata, intended to be played in a church vs. a theme song for a television show
An encounter with nature (noticing and being moved by surroundings) vs. a walk from Point A to Point B
Religious practices may include benefits that can also be wholly secular, but at least part of what is done, or why it is done, includes appreciation for something spiritual.
Return to the main Practices page.
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