The concept of spirit is often defined in contrast to matter, and spirituality in contrast with materialism. Descriptively, this might be captured in the general assertion that we have bodies, but we are not our bodies. Whether or not a scientist personally embraces this view, it is one that has characterized most of human kind throughout recorded history. As an attribute of humanity, it is a proper subject for scientific investigation. Individuals can be characterized in terms of their religiosity by measuring the extent to which they are engaged in religious belief and practice.
Spirituality is hard to delimit.
Because of it s focus on the transcendent, spirituality defies customary conceptual boundaries, whereas religion is actually defined by it boundaries. In fact, certain forms of religion interfere with or distort one s spirituality. For example, spirituality may be obscured when ritual, rule and practice become important in their own right and their purpose is forgotten. Miller asserts that this relationship between the two is a potential subject for empirical investigation. Miller suggests that the measurement of spirituality should be multi-dimensional involving behavior, belief, and experience.