6 years ago :: Apr 15, 2012 - 11:33PM #11 | |
I don't really like the phrase 'spiritual but not religious,' but I do understand the sentiment. I know a number of people who readily use this phrase to describe their personal spirituality/faith. The folks I know who use this phrase tend to believe in God and have some sort of relationship with God. They do not, however, go to church or participate in organized religion. More power to them. In fact, I would probably count myself among this group but for my occasional visit to church. I absolutely, wholeheartedly disagree that some intermediary is necessary for one to have a meaningful relationship with God. Of course, I'm admittedly a postmodernist, not a positivist who demands that 'authority' be followed, so 'SBNR' is right up my alley. |
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6 years ago :: Apr 16, 2012 - 10:12AM #12 | |
I have no knowledge or way of knowing what "the spirit that cares for us" is. But I concluded that it exists because of my own personal experiences that I judged to have been originated intentionally rather than accidentally. Religious holy books have been written by unholy though perhaps saintly and inspired humans. As such they are not certain to contain any objective Truth. Similarly religious organizations are formed of humans, all of who suffer(ed) from human inadequacies and errors of judgment. In my opinion the existence of a spiritual world can only be determined by each individual through his own personal observations and thus remains subjective and unprovable. Disbeliving outsiders can always attribute such observations to either chance (however remote) or personal confusion. |
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6 years ago :: Apr 17, 2012 - 2:43PM #13 | |
Nino, I find it strange that one would place a greater value, or accuracy, on the written thoughts of others than on his own experiences. The decision of a number of persons (however great) to get together and decide to agree on the accuracy or insight of some ancient writings does not render these writings "objective"; just agreed upon. I find unacceptable your suggestion that we should close our eyes so that we do not see for ourselves and become deluded, and that we will not be deceived if we accept what some majority maintains. Admittedly the decision to think for oneself instead of unquestionably accepting somebody else's propositions will involve one's personal knowledge and prejudices. But the reverse would involve seeing things through someone else's knowledge and prejudices. Jim |
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6 years ago :: Apr 17, 2012 - 9:06PM #14 | |
Jim -- Excellent post. |
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6 years ago :: Apr 18, 2012 - 8:37AM #15 | |
"Do not believe anything because you have heard it, because it is spoken or rumored by many, or written in your religious books, or is upon the authority of your teachers or elders. Do not believe in traditions because they are handed down for generations. But, after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason and is good & beneficial for one and all, then accept it and live up to it." Gautama Buddha
The Path
To Moon lake Doesn't Go There. So Walk Your own DharmaPath And Be Mindful Dutch |
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6 years ago :: Apr 18, 2012 - 11:15AM #16 | |
One of my favorite sayings from Lord Buddha. that's why they call it Faith....
"A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person." Dave Berry
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6 years ago :: Apr 18, 2012 - 8:50PM #17 | |
I think that quote is perfectly compatible with 'spiritual but not religious.' |
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6 years ago :: Apr 19, 2012 - 5:19AM #18 | |
JimRigas' post 17 and Dutch's 20 are my favs on this. As Jesus never expressed the goal of starting a new religion; which has subdivided into how many? I don't think religion is near as important as relationship. Sometimes those within a religion can help open hearts to a personal relationship with the Lord, and other times the religion can replace the relationship. What's the difference? Man's added rules to Christ's. I participate in religion, but it's the relationship with All that I seek. As for checking my brain at the door, that would be ingracious at being given one. |
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