Any cynics in the house?

Question

I'd like to hear some answers from some self-professed spiritual cynics. I've pretty much regarded myself as a spiritual person all my life, but am beginning to become rather cynical towards it. I'd like to hear some smart, cynical responses regarding spirituality.
The reason I want to hear from you is because I want some intellectual stimulation from intelligent people who aren't a) convinced Christ is going to rise again and save them or b) floating in an ocean of New Age mumbo jumbo guru-speak.
I'm pretty much fed up with just about any intangible theories and pseudo-mystical ideas right now, as I am deeply frustrated with them at the moment. So if anyone has some kind of intellectual, practical, GROUNDED take on spirituality, please, I want to hear your thoughts.

-Alma

Answer 1

I don't know if I qualify, but I would like to try to answer.
I was raised believing in spiritual concepts like God, Souls, Angles, The Devil, etc. But over that last few years I see less and less reason to believe the old concepts anymore. I still believe there is a Creator that made everyone, and for a purpose (which might disqualify me from your answers), but I no longer believe in the Devil, angles, or anything other than the Creator. And I don't think it makes sense to call him/it/whatever a spirit.
I feel that my, and I empathize "MY," understanding of life are from the experiences I have lived through. Nothing too spiritual about them. They only mean things to me personally and I have free will to give them meaning, ignore them, or just never think about them. I use my life experience to shape my future and to help me find out how to be a better person. I feel that my life is here to provide me with conflict and trials so I can understand what I should be doing with myself. I don't really think about it spiritually because I don't see how labeling something as spiritual makes it easier to understand. If anything, making these spiritual and outside of ourselves just makes them harder to understand. When we say something is spiritual, it is easy to stopping thinking about it because we don't understand "spiritual." I believe that we need to keep questioning. We can never really know we are right, so we must think about why things are right to find out more and to understand their purpose. Is that spiritual? I don't think so.

Answer 2

I was raised as a Southern Baptist, but then as an adult started to really question it. It just doesn't make any sense. I also don't buy into the old argument of "some things we're just not meant to know" or "we have to live by faith not sight". I say it's all bull. Scientists have proof of things like evolution, the Big Bang, and other things but Christians blindly turn from scientific evidence and choose to live by faith? I have many friends and family who are Christians and they are wonderful people, but they are blinded by their faith. I don't believe in angels, I don't think God exists or heaven or hell or the devil or anything like that. If there is a God how come there are so many different religions on the earth, all claiming to be the ONLY one that is right? They can't all be right, therefore, logically, they have to all be wrong.

Answer 3

Spiritual grounding begins with cynicism. What getting to the truth requires is a mentality of questioning every claim. Then testing these claims to the writings they are based upon. Truth can be acquired through thoroughly testing the easily available evidence. Christandom today is full of adopted pagan practices.
One must weed out the paganism and get to the bottom of the truth. But, to get there, one must be humble to receive the answers.

Answer 4

I went from being cynical about religions and humanity based on a better understanding of human behavior and applied Buddhist philosophy. While most behavior is motivated by selfishness, which is logical due to the fact that all sentient beings seek happiness, I'm more understanding that certain behaviors arise due to causes and conditions and altruism can be cultivated if not already a part of life. I also understand that most people who cannot cultivate it isn't necessarily their "fault" and I have vastly more patience.

_()_

Answer 5

I'm cynical of most stuff. I don't really by into any certain spirituality, instead I've found my own. Not to say I don't think many people's spirituality are interesting, but I think it should be an individual thing and no religion works for everyone.

Answer 6

I'm pretty damn cynical when it comes to spiritualism. I have no truck with guardian angels, spirit guides, horoscopes, ghosts, demons, auras, magick, etc.

I do believe in God, and I have some interest in certain aspects of eastern religion, but it ends there. I take a very naturalistic view of the universe. I'm not a Christian; I follow no religion.

Answer 7

I'm not so much a cynic as I am a skeptic. I was once told that "Cynicism is merely another form of naievety."

Skepticism has its etymological roots in a Greek word meaning "to look."

Answer 8

Okay, I kinda follow balance. Balance in nature is all around us. You have yin/yang, female/male, water/fire. Without balance the world can go into chaos. Look at the U.S. government, is is bascially being run by men and that my dear friend is not balance. Balance is the key to peace, I believe. Duality in nature, equality in life.

Answer 9

Believe in each other and not the big-brother in the sky. People are basically good, and will usually respond to esteem from their fellow man.

That's about as spiritual as I get.

Answer 10

Yeah, you could just kind of check through my answers. I think they pretty much all fit what you're looking for.

Or you could check out James Randi, the world's most well known skeptic.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Randi

Skeptical Inquirer magazine is also pretty good.
http://www.csicop.org/si/