Faith, Spirituality, and Religion: A Model for Understanding the Differences

Abstract

The terms faith, spirituality, and religion are often used interchangeably, though their definitions are unique and distinct. This article discusses the nuanced differences among the three terms. It presents a model for the interrelatedness among the three important constructs and suggests ways the model can be used for further research. "Faith " is nearly impossible to define. It means something different to each individual. Faith is understood to be intensely personal and often seen as extremely private. "The term 'faith ' ranges in meaning from a general religious attitude on the one hand to personal acceptance of a specific set of beliefs on the other hand" (Hellwig, 1990, p. 3). Yet faith is still superimposed on the lives of our students (Newman, 1998). Though most often seen in religious terms, faith remains an "extraordinarily important construct " (Lee, 1990, p. vii). Despite the mandate from the Student Personnel Point of View (American Council on Education, 1937) to develop the whole person as part of the student affairs profession, a relative silence has permeated the faith dimension of student

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