The definition of religion is: Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe. The definition of spirituality is: relating to, consisting of, or having the nature of spirit; not tangible or material. I believe that the two are linked in the respect that if you are religious there is no doubt that you are spiritual as well. However, not all those who are spiritual are religious.
Religion is a creation by human beings. Since the beginning of our existence we have believed that there is something that has created our world and all life that exists. Many humans believe that there must be something more powerful than man, something in control, or just something else out there beyond understanding. We have created deities that resemble all types of human aspects. From Gods of war to Gods of fertility and celebration, people have looked towards some deity for a reason of why we exist, or simply to find comfort. Over the ages religion has progressed, many have dissipated and others have emerged. Unfortunately, I believe that religions turn into a method of controlling people. Whether in a good or bad way, people are influenced by religion. It has shaped empires and created massive communities. I think that religion is used to control because every single one has some kind of leader. Whether they are humble Buddhist monks or an ambitious Catholic pope, someone has some sort of control. I do not think that this is good or bad; sometimes religion is a great way to better people by following the rules or ethics of a specific one. However, sometimes it is used as a method of controlling a population for selfish reasons, in the name of a deity. Regardless, I think that religion was originally created by humans to connect to something spiritually. We do not know what exactly is out there, but inheratently we know that there is something else. This is why I believe that if you are religious, you are no doubt spiritual; you know that there is something else above us, so you chose an idea on what it is. That is what religion is to me.
Spirituality is more simple then religion, but at the same much more vast. The spirit is the vital principle or animating force within human beings. I believe it is connected throughout things that are uncomprahendable to humans. Every single person has a spirit and I believe it connects us to the life force. Some people are more in contact with their spirit; and therefor closer to said life force. We are a soul with a body, not a body with a soul. This means that we are more than just a simple physical being. We have much more depth than that, our soul and spirit being the essence of our existence. A scientific study in the early 1900s had shown that a soul actually weighs about 21 grams. The results were done with early technology and there were not that many tests done for verification. Even though it is still not validafide completely this still creates a beginning of scientific proof that the soul and spirit really exist. By having a spirit, we have the innate ability to realize it. This is where I believe religion and spirituality are linked. Because we can sense that we have a spirit, we look for ways to find proof of how we exist, by doing this we create images of what we think created and creates life. Those who are religious are undoubtably spiritual, but those who are spiritual may not be religious, just people who know that there is something and want to be connected with it, even though they don’t know what it is.