How do spirituality, religion, faith and belief fit together?

Spirituality, religion, faith and belief are closely connected, but they do not mean exactly the same thing.

Spirituality concerns questions and experiences that reach beyond ordinary physical life. Belief concerns what we understand to be true about reality, God, human life and the world.

Faith goes further than belief alone. It involves placing trust in what we believe to be true and allowing that trust to shape the way we live.

Religion gives faith a shared form through teachings, stories, worship, moral guidance, practices and community. Someone may be spiritual without belonging to a religion, belong to a religion without actively living by faith, or hold strong beliefs while rejecting both religion and spirituality.

Christianity brings spirituality, religion, faith and belief together around Jesus. Christians believe that God has made himself known through him. Christian faith involves believing what Jesus revealed, placing trust in him, developing a relationship with God and sharing in the worship and life of the Church.