religious differences can play a role in how professionals interact and communicate with others. religiosity refers to the nature and extent of public and private religious activity, including belief in god, prayer, and place of worship attendance. religiosity is usually linked to formal religious traditions (such as christianity), institutions (such as mosques), sacred texts (such as the book of mormon), and a definitive moral code (such as the decalogue). spirituality can be an important part of religion but can also exist independent of extant faith traditions, involving a variety of more individual subjective beliefs and activities related to the sacred. in this aspect of cultural competence training professionals should learn how to have religious competence. religious competence refers to skills, practices, and orientations that recognize, explore, and harness patient religiosity to facilitate diagnosis, recovery, and healing. religious competence involves the learning and deployment of generic competencies, including active listening and a nonjudgmental stance. it is also an overarching orientation, providing a safe place for discussion of religious issues and identities received in a humble, respectful, and empathetic manner.