Religion & Spirituality: Bridging the Gap

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by Stephen Honeygosky OSB, editor

6 X 9" -- 160 pages

This is an interesting examination of the relationship between religion and spirituality that seeks to enhance the definition of each. Religion, the authors argue, is more than a hierarchical structure and spirituality is more than a superficial belief in "something somewhere." A great discussion starter for students in introductory religion courses and for all who are interested in a balanced view of how religion and spirituality interact.

"I'm not religious, but I'm spiritual." This is a phrase heard more and more lately. The purpose of this book--and of the symposium out of which it grew--is to repair the perceived dichotomy between religion and spirituality. The ten contributors here believe and argue that there is more to "religion" than structure, rules, and rituals, and there is more to "spirituality" than individualism and disconnection.

According to editor and contributor Stephen Honeygosky, religion too often presumes spirituality, while spirituality just as often dismisses religion. Each camp takes to the high ground of disconnection and mutual exclusion, he says, but they should be meeting on the "plain" where real conversation and communion foster compatibility and mutual growth. In fact, religion and spirituality need each other; each is incomplete alone.

The book explores how the split between religion and spirituality occurred over the past few centuries, and verifies how the situation is clearly evident today, especially with young adults. Contributors include Richard Rohr OFM, Demetrius Dumm OSB, Camille DeBlasi MA, Barbara Fiand SNDdeN, Carl Arico, Anthony Bosco, Roberta Campbell OSB, Vernon Holtz OSB, Authur Schwartz, and Stephen Honeygosky OSB.

Stephen R. Honeygosky is a Benedictine monk and has been a priest for more than thirty years. He is presently chaplain, associate director of Campus Ministry, and English teacher at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. He is author of Milton's House of God: The Invisible and Visible Church (University of Missouri Press).