Quick Question (or two, or three)... (page 2)

flipper

AGUEST- I don't think # 1, #3, & # 4 are LESS true than # 2 - just different applications of the word " spirit ". In fact in my opinion # 2 & # 4 go together quite well. Because in my research my intellect in point # 2 HAS affected my refinement of my thoughts and feelings mentioned in point # 4. As I've done a lot of reading in the last 7 + years I've come to appreciate just how twisted in thinking the WT society really was all those years and I have come to some more defined conclusions within myself in my mind AND emotions now

Retrovirus

Shelby asks

Also, to anyone who's paying attention, is "spiritual" really an accurate word for those who don't believe IN the spirit [being]? I mean, the "man" other than the physical being?

Why wouldn't it be? All the definitions Mr Flipper gave are legitimate and in common use. Is it reasonable to redefine the language to showcase a particular belief?

Also, I responded to your OP question, which was much broader:

What do you mean by "spiritual"? What is "spiritual" to you?"

Beliefs change over time. Word definitions do too. I may be wrong, but get the impression you ask a question only to drive home a predetermined answer.

Best wishes in any case, Retro

AGuest

I may be wrong, but get the impression you ask a question only to drive home a predetermined answer.

You are wrong, dear Retro (peace to you!). It's just that the the word we know as "spiritual" derives from the word "spirit"... which has great Hebrew/Judeo/Christian connotations, as well as some Indo-European religious connections. I'm trying to figure out why those who have/want absolutely nothing to do with religion would adopt a word that has such origins. I can answer for MY use of it, but I am curious as to others. To me, it's like the WTBTS' [misuse] of the "governing body." In every other walk of life, "governing body" means the exact opposite of what the WTBTS uses it for (at least, that's what they claim). They are anti-government, we would also agree; yet, they use a term that screams "government."

Or "Armageddon." There is no such word in the Bible; yet, they teach to the contrary. It is a word derived by man supposedly to denote somethat that occurs [in the Bible] but does not. I would be QUITE surprised, therefore, to hear an atheist... lamenting/opining on [the coming of] "Armageddon" (other than attempting to debunk that event).

In that same vein, when I hear those who don't believe in the "spirit" use the term "spiritUAL"... I... well, say, "Wait, what?" It doesn't make sense to me. I know, I know... "they" don't MEAN it that way. But it's still a bit confusing to me: why use it at all? Is there not another word that would better describe the "experience"? If not, then I marvel that that really is the only word that DOES suffice.

Anyway, thank you all, again, for your comments... and peace to you!

A slave of Christ,

SA

NomadSoul

Spiritually is BS.

Retrovirus

Thanks for correcting my understanding, Shelby.

Last year I completed training as a palliative care volunteer. One of the areas covered was identifying the "spiritual" needs of the patient and carers, and where possible linking with those who could help. Here "spiritual" covered everything bar physical; the need for peer companionship, atmosphere (eg country or seaside), music or craft, discussion on particular topics; religion was only a small part of it. So that's how I thought of the word.

You have a point about the "governing body" - they seem more like dictators than governers! And "Armageddon" is constantly used and abused by the media in particular. The origins of words are interesting, but origins don't own words, any more than parents own children.

Is there not another word that would better describe the "experience"?

Well, I tried "insight".

Wishing you peace also, Retro

darth frosty

This is a response from a post I did a month ago:

http://www.jehovahs-witness.net/watchtower/beliefs/207392/1/Spiritual-vs-religous

I like this definition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirituality

Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or immaterial reality;[1] an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of their being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.”[2] Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop an individual's inner life; such practices often lead to an experience of connectedness with a larger reality, yielding a more comprehensive self; with other individuals or the human community; with nature or the cosmos; or with the divine realm.[3] Spirituality is often experienced as a source of inspiration or orientation in life.[4] It can encompass belief in immaterial realities or experiences of the immanent or transcendent nature of the world.

AGuest

I checked out your link, dear Darth (peace to you!), and I agree with you, with the exception that I do believe in God. One thing is that I no longer perceive Him as a 'higher authority," because I have come to learn, through Christ, that the Most Holy One of Israel does not want us to serve Him, per se. He wants us to serve His Son... by serving one another... and, in turn, HE will serve US. Because He is a God of service. Please, don't believe all of the OT hype - much of it is SO way off base. Look at Christ and how he treated not only those he loved... but those who "hated" him. HE is the example, not the OT.

Again, peace to you and thank you for sharing!

A slave of Christ,

SA

losthobbit

I haven't read all of the comments... but just a quick thought: Not believing in God doesn't mean not believing in spirits.

Black Sheep

Spiritual is the buzz I got when I became 'born again'

It was an illusion. A result of a misunderstanding. Probably a bit of adrenalin chucked in for good measure. Nothing more.

poppers

I think it's almost impossible to say what "spirituality" is and have it make an impact on others because the word implies something beyond the physical realm - who is to say with precision what "spirit" is, and what makes them the authority that they should be believed by others? That being said, I'll offer this: the less one tries to pigeon hole life with labels, judgments, and interpretation the more "spirituality" is experienced. This kind of spirituality doesn't hinge on concepts of God or anything else. It's what we've got rolling around in our head that keeps one from experiencing whatever it is.

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