Does "spirituality" require belief in god or the supernatural?

Question

As an atheist I experience a deep sense of connection and kinship with all things from plants to animals, stars and rocks. That sense includes even people whom I regard as deluded or dangerous (on the grounds we can't help it!) though I may vigorously oppose them. It has grown the more I've learned from science of all kinds. But I wonder in old age - is it different from what religious believers experience?

Answer 1

Great, keep studying science! You're on the right track.

I think it all comes from the same place in our brains - the amygdala. Every emotion we have is nothing but minute electric charges setting off enzymes and hormones.

Sprituality is an extremely individual sense that can be expressed through art, music, fishing, nurture, nature ... whatever and wherever you find serenity, it doesn't have to be in any kind of religious setting or prayer or worship; it's just plain sensual joy of being alive. No better relationship with your concept of god than that, and not ever something that should be preached to anyone else.

check out www.freethinkerscs.com

Answer 2

Spirituality could be simply defined as connection to something "greater" than oneself and thus helps you to free your soul from the clutches of materialistic things; whereas religion( god or supernatural) can be defined as a set of beliefs and practices held by a human community and thus helps to make a sort of limits for humans.

My dear, though sprituality and religion seems to be contradictory but are actually complementory. Can we be successful in life without having any kind of discipline? The difference between educated people like u and any uncivilized person is this displine only.

Similarly, religion does puts some restriction to make us more discplined and God obeying human, but thats just initial stage for the poor persons who cannot understand sprituality due to many economic, mental and others factors.

But people like you who have got enligtened and got connected with the sprituality in the real sense does not need the support of religion, but religion always demands respect. If you dont respect it what will happen, many people will follow you, even those who have yet to see the first stage of sprituality and what they will create but chaos in this world.

So, beleiving in God and following a religion will only helpin achieving true spirituality

I have my blog in which I am propagating such form of spirituality called

http://imsiva.blogspot.com

If you could spare a mintue for visiting that, you will get many such answer der.

Bye n take care.

Answer 3

Require? No. But it often happens that way. However, what you are experiencing is a definite connection in spirituality. The life force is in everything. Whether you believe it comes from God is your choice. Is it different. No I don't think so. I believe in God and I also experience what you are describing. For me, it just enhances and reinforces the feelings. I hope this helps you. Blessings, Diana

Answer 4

To me personally spirituality means belief in God. however, I think that spirituality is different in every person. Your spirituality comes from nature (from what you stated) others may come from music, literature. I don't look down on others that Don't believe in what I do. I think its great that other people find peace and spirituality in other things. I just wish others would learn not to put down other people for what they believe in. Just because you don't believe the same things doesn't mean its OK to belittle someone. Sorry to ramble I hope I at least touched on an answer to your question.

Answer 5

No. I experienced spiritual things before I believed in God. But I do say that it was the spiritual expereinces that helped me to overcome that hurdle of knowing that there were things that exist that I couldn't typically see. The spiritual world was then real to me. So when the timing was right, believing that there was a God that was Spirit wasn't such a stretch.

Answer 6

spirituality

spir·i·tu·al·i·ty [spìrrichoo állətee]
(plural spir·i·tu·al·i·ties)
noun
1. spiritual quality: the quality or condition of being spiritual
2. church property or revenue: the property or revenue belonging to a church or church official (often used in the plural)

spiritual

spir·i·tu·al [spírrichoo əl]
adjective
1. of soul: relating to the soul or spirit, usually in contrast to material things
2. of religion: relating to religious or sacred things rather than worldly things
3. temperamentally or intellectually akin: connected by an affinity of the mind, spirit, or temperament
spiritual mother of the young artist

4. refined: showing great refinement and concern with the higher things in life


noun (plural spir·i·tu·als)
1. folk hymn: a religious song, especially one arising from African American culture
2. things of spirit: matters concerning the spirit
He was deeply concerned with anything to do with the spiritual.



[14th century. Via French spirituel < Latin spiritualis < spiritus (see spirit)]

You will know the answer yourself.
jtm
-spir·i·tu·al·ly, adverb
-spir·i·tu·al·ness, noun

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Answer 7

Spirituality is the true life we live, Spirituality is not anything mystical, magical, or religious. Spirituality is the life you live. A belief in God is not God, thinking about God is not God.

But living with the knowingness, doingness and acceptance off all with love is the true way of life and that to me means that you don't only live spiritually, but you understand God, the source of life beyond the word "God".

You understand it beyond form, size, and location.

Ekene

Answer 8

Maybe, I'm a Christian and have felt a sense of warmth, or whatever you want to call it expierence when I wasn't one. We're all built the same. That's why God is against idolatry because we make something else our God, like you and worshipping created things rather then the creator. Like if you see people at a rock concert, they're using the rock stars instead of God, so yes we can get our radar off tilt.

Answer 9

No. A spirit develops and grows as an integral aspect of the living being.

Answer 10

From revelation, we get man is body, soul, and spirit. This is the nature of man, no belief is required.

As an atheist, you have examine the revelation and simply don't believe it.

The answer to your question is in the pages of the bible which you do not believe.