The fallacy of 'spirituality'.

nicolaou

Leaving the watchtower does not mean leaving god. Many here have been able to maintain a relationship with god without the need for a set of beliefs or a creed or any organised system of worship at all. No churches, meeting halls or study groups are necessary just a deeply held conviction in the goodness of god and the value of a personal relationship with him.

Such believers often stress 'spirituality' over religion.

Now I don't mean to denigrate anyone's beliefs and no offence is intended but really, is a 'spiritual' approach to life any better for our mental and emotional well-being than being part of an organised religion? Some posters tout their new found 'spirituality' to be an advancement on their prior situation as Jehovah's Witnesses but in one very important aspect nothing really has changed at all, the belief that there is more than the material universe, that there exists a 'spiritual realm'.

In this, I believe, people with a 'spiritual' outlook on life are still in error as to the true nature of existence. They as wrong about reality as JW's, Mormons, Muslims, Zoroastrians and members of the Flat Earth Society. I'm sure many will 'tut tut' and say "Poor Nicolaou, he has no appreciation or understanding of the spiritual dimension to life".

Not true.

I can feel awe and reverence for the Universe on a cold, clear starry night. Beautiful music can move me, nature and art can inspire me and a newborn baby will stir my 'soul'. But none of this is the spirituality I am talking about (and you believers know it). The spirituality I am dismissing is that 'spiritual realm' in which the Supreme Being resides, god, the divine. The connection made when praying is said to tap into that 'spiritual realm' - god's presence is 'felt'.

For as long as this erroneous view is held, its adherents will be held fast to the bedrock of ignorance and fallacy to which all organised religions are securely attached. To the ‘spiritual’ man or woman who has left the Kingdom Hall behind I say this, your journey is not yet over. For as long as you hold onto your ‘spirituality’ you can continue to call believers of all other faiths your ‘brothers’ – yes, even the Muslim extremist and the Jehovah’s Witnesses you left behind.

The ravings of a godless atheist? Rather that than the delusions of ‘spirituality’.

LittleToe

Stepping back from my own subjective perspective and entering the realms of objective science, I have this to say:

There is empirical evidence that our "spiritual" outlook has a large impact on our mental health.

LT, of the "Mental Health Services Manager" class.

nicolaou

Like a placebo?

diamondblue1974

I can feel awe and reverence for the Universe on a cold, clear starry night. Beautiful music can move me, nature and art can inspire me and a newborn baby will stir my 'soul'. But none of this is the spirituality I am talking about (and you believers know it).

Precisely!

Although I cannot describe myself as an atheist in any manner of speaking I can concur with the above; you dont need an organisation or a religious belief to feel the way you describe above.

DB74

unclebruce

.. if the bible GOD can be proved to exist outside the minds of deluded men it would truly be a miracle!

..that said we have a very long way to go in understanding the mysterious nature of nature

deeply spiritual ub

LittleToe

If you want to view it as a placebo, for the sake of discussion, I'm game.

Since the medical profession cannot prescribe placebos, even as a private service, if religion gives people access to that, so be it. Since the power of the mind to influence physiological health is underestimated by the general public, and placebos fill that niche, having some mechanism to harness such a powerful affect is surely desirable?

If people get meaning for their lives when facing trauma through employment, sickness, and death, then the outlook is more positive for their health. However the "secret" to the success of placebos is "belief". Therefore I would posit that "spirituality" isn't the fallacy that you would suggest. It does have an impact on our emotional and mental wellbeing.

Fortunately it's an area that is also starting to face a degree of regulation, and I hope that eventually fringe cults will disappear. That having been said, people will always seek out that which brings them subjective meaning, and if that requires a strict and conservative framework, for their mind to operate withinin, then they are going to gravitate to that somehow. I would suggest that this would be an area of concern were religion to become too strictly regulated.

Alas, like any tool, it's subject to misuse.

nicolaou

having some mechanism to harness such a powerful affect (the power of the mind to influence physiological health) is surely desirable?

I have no medical expertise so I'm really not qualified to make suggestions but I agree that the power of the mind can have a profound effect on the body's well-being. I don't deny that this power can be harnessed through belief and 'spirituality' but if all such belief and superstition were removed would you not agree Ross that the power of the mind would still remain? We need to find ways of using our mental abilities in a way that shows we have outgrown our reliance on supernatural explanations for what we experience.

Epileptics are no longer mistaken for the demon-possessed are they?

However the "secret" to the success of placebos is "belief". Therefore I would posit that "spirituality" isn't the fallacy that you would suggest. It does have an impact on our emotional and mental wellbeing.

Again, the fact that 'spirituality' and belief can have a positive effect is not in doubt, I certainly wouldn't undermine the faith of a sufferer who draws strength and comfort from their beliefs - however illogical and irrational I might consider those beliefs to be. But in the long run, wouldn't a society that valued positivism over religious optimism be a healthier and less confrontational one? Telling lies can have a positive effect on the hearer, it all depends upon the lie being told. I for one would rather hear the ugly truth than an attractive lie.

We cannot choose our truths, if we could I'd choose to 'Live Forever in Paradise on Earth' - know what I mean?

Fortunately it's an area that is also starting to face a degree of regulation, and I hope that eventually fringe cults will disappear.

Why 'fringe cults'? Why not medium sized faith groups or more established religious movements? You're an intelligent man Ross and I know you'll get my point when I remind you of the 'Fallacy of the Beard'.

Now pass the bloody Scotch man! Laphroig please!

Gretchen956

Nic, Nic, Nic. Why do you care what I believe? Along with my new found "spirituality" which you deplore so much, I have found a lot of peace with not giving a shit what someone else believes in. If athiests are going to proseletize I think they are no better than the WTS in that regard. Anytime anyone touts their way as the ONLY way, you know its time to run like hell.

I admire you for your sincerely held beliefs. I don't really care what you think of mine, doesn't impact me in any shape or form.

Sherry

Brigid

I have to agree with Sherry.

No reason.

No emperical evidence.

Just had to agree.

~Brigid

LittleToe

I don't deny that this power can be harnessed through belief and 'spirituality' but if all such belief and superstition were removed would you not agree Ross that the power of the mind would still remain? We need to find ways of using our mental abilities in a way that shows we have outgrown our reliance on supernatural explanations for what we experience.

Such is not truly the nature of belief. Unless it's something that "appears" beyond your personal grasp to effect a change, but that the catalyst will enable, then it is generally unsuccessful. For that reason folks who are more skeptical are less likely to respond to a placebo.

Why do you think there's so much propaganda about science and medicine being reliable, even though they have caused some horrific things?

The fallacy of 'spirituality'.

Share this