i've always wondered that.
recently i asked that question on another thread and didn't really get ananswer.
cofty made an excellent point that we often hear what it isn't, but that really isn't useful.. so, what is it?
Well said, jgnat
However I doubt the OP is interested in the idea and philosophy of the word spirit as it pertains to one's existence, based on responses to questions posed on this subject.
That a dictionary defines one aspect of spirit as the immaterial nature of a person's existence doesn't seem to qualify as an answer.
Only hard evidence proving the existence of discrete spirit beings is allowed it would seem.
i've always wondered that.
recently i asked that question on another thread and didn't really get ananswer.
cofty made an excellent point that we often hear what it isn't, but that really isn't useful.. so, what is it?
Question
Is a definition of spirit here only relevant to discrete "spirit beings or external forces" such as god, holy spirit, angels, demons, etc?
Does this exclude definitions of spirit as it pertains to individuals?
The OP specifically mentions the former but is unclear on the latter.
The dictionary lists each as separate entries
Just wondering...
i've always wondered that.
recently i asked that question on another thread and didn't really get ananswer.
cofty made an excellent point that we often hear what it isn't, but that really isn't useful.. so, what is it?
Those are great questions that we can discuss. If you are interested, start a thread and I will join in. Not related to this thread, though.
Well, it is related to this thread. You asked what spirit is.
spir·it
: the force within a person that is believed to give the body life, energy, and power
: the inner quality or nature of a person
: a person
My answer, as well as a few others posted, are relevant to the question, as commonly defined by Merriam-Webster at least.
Is any person defined only as a body and substance that is measurable or is there something immaterial that makes them "who" they are?
Full Definition of SPIRIT
1 : an animating or vital principle held to give life to physical organisms
2 : a supernatural being or essence: as a capitalized : holy spirit b : soul 2a c : an often malevolent being that is bodiless but can become visible; specifically : ghost 2 d : a malevolent being that enters and possesses a human being
3 : temper or disposition of mind or outlook especially when vigorous or animated <in high spirits>
4 : the immaterial intelligent or sentient part of a person
5 a : the activating or essential principle influencing a person <acted in a spirit of helpfulness> b : an inclination, impulse, or tendency of a specified kind : mood
6 a : a special attitude or frame of mind <the money-makingspirit was for a time driven back — J. A. Froude> b : the feeling, quality, or disposition characterizing something <undertaken in a spirit of fun>
7 : a lively or brisk quality in a person or a person's actions
8 : a person having a character or disposition of a specified nature
9 : a mental disposition characterized by firmness or assertiveness <denied the charge with spirit>
10 a : distillate 1: as (1) : the liquid containing ethanol and water that is distilled from an alcoholic liquid or mash —often used in plural (2) : any of various volatile liquids obtained by distillation or cracking (as of petroleum, shale, or wood) —often used in plural b : a usually volatile organic solvent (as an alcohol, ester, or hydrocarbon)
11 a : prevailing tone or tendency <spirit of the age> b : general intent or real meaning <spirit of the law>
12 : an alcoholic solution of a volatile substance <spirit of camphor>
13 : enthusiastic loyalty <school spirit>
14 capitalizedChristian Science:god 1b
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spirit
Your question seems very specific in terms of definition, where only #2 and #14 seem relevant. Of course, these are by nature, subjective and open to interpretation and belief. Good luck with getting any answers that are satisfactory from a scientific perspective. Of course, none will be.
Which makes this thread less than genuine and sincere if you have no interest in answers given to such an philisophical question.
i've always wondered that.
recently i asked that question on another thread and didn't really get ananswer.
cofty made an excellent point that we often hear what it isn't, but that really isn't useful.. so, what is it?
I've always preferred honey over vinegar myself...
the constant references to 'window washers' as something derogatory.. i understand the context of it-that most jws are uneducated, and unqualified to do much more.
but sometimes the references seem snobbish, almost mean-spirited.
one poster, on another thread, essentially referred to window washers as 'losers'.
Good points
i've always wondered that.
recently i asked that question on another thread and didn't really get ananswer.
cofty made an excellent point that we often hear what it isn't, but that really isn't useful.. so, what is it?
Going on first thoughts re the op
Were one to ask the same questions regarding character or personality, would one have answers?
one of them is nose rings/piercings.
.
Turn off: women who like to be contentious for it's own sake
if after you die you find yourself in front a god ready to judge you.
what will you say in your defense for not believing?
.
Gee, aren't you lucky that prophecy is coming true in your lifetime? You must be someone special to be in the right religion at the right time, eh?
Sucks to have been anyone else in the last 2000 years or non christian, lol
true believers, whether christian, muslim or whatever, want to convert you, they want you to believe what they do, and they're willing to go to extremes to make it happen.
atheists don't really care what you believe, and don't go out of their way to convert someone.. http://ow.ly/vn1jz an example of what believers in power do to suppress any difference in thought.
http://ow.ly/vraeo an example of why believers want to suppress different ideas (because they can't win in a fair fight, that's why).
Well, the forum will always be changing and there will always be provocateurs, here and elsewhere.
I don't think having a strong opinion is bossing someone around. One can always "change the channel", choose to disengage, agree to disagree, let it go. Do people on TV boss you around? People only have power over you if you let them have it.
AGuest was a character that's for sure. I laugh to myself when I think of some of the "debates" I had with her. The guy who praised Jebus in McDonalds because he fed a homeless guy who was barred from the restaurant really stands out. The Lord didn't reach down and hand the guy a BigMac FFS. And here I am arguing with a crazy person on the interwebs about it. Who gives a shit? LMAO
Like many things, what you see is often a reflection of yourself in some way and it's always easy to see what you don't like.
True believers, whether christian, muslim or whatever, want to convert you, they want you to believe what they do, and they're willing to go to extremes to make it happen. Atheists don't really care what you believe, and don't go out of their way to convert someone.
Well, not sure if I agree with that; some believers aren't out to convert you; somebody has to be the infidel, the opposition, that which props up their beliefs, someone to judge themselves in comparison to. The psychologist I saw years ago (may he RIP) observed that the JW belief works as long as there's a "world" to see themselves as no part of. It would never work without a bogeyman. And the more popular a belief gets, the more likely it would have a schism and fragment. People have their own ideas and we are still tribal to a large extent; human nature. But by and large, most religious people aren't out to convert you, unless they're evangelical, by definition. Of all the people you meet in day to day life, most are religious and of these, how many try to convert you?
As for atheists not caring what you believe, I think by and large that's true but most people don't care what you believe anyways so why differentiate?
That being said, there are atheists who try to convert people to their way of thinking, but these are a minority IMO
if after you die you find yourself in front a god ready to judge you.
what will you say in your defense for not believing?
.
If after you die you find yourself in front a God ready to judge you. What will you say in your defense for not believing?
Which god would I be in front of exactly?
