Religion: Are We Individual Souls Or Spirits Part Of A Collective!?

Question

(P.R ?) Religion: Are We Individual Souls Or Spirits Part Of A Collective? (P.R ?)

Answer 1

We all belong to a group, but we are individuals w/in that group. The effort is to be an individual, but to stay within that collective because, as John Donne said, 'no man is an island'.

Our value to the collective is related to our ability to function as an individual rather than being "other directed," as the saying goes ... because in that way we have strength and insight, input and worth for the group ......

Now, if someone wants to take off from the group, that is his choice, and his right. He can make it if he has at least two things going for him: if he can manage on his own, and if he is Karma-free, which is to say that he no longer owes anything to anyone.

Answer 2

We perceive ourselves as individual souls, but we are really part of a collective (God).
I think that if I truly believed this on every level, instead of just saying it, I wouldn't even be here, but it's a belief I'm trying on like new clothes. If they continue to feel good, I'll keep wearing them, if not, I'll find something else.
Lots has been written about why this perception of ourselves as individuals seems to be so true in spite of it being otherwise.
But it really doesn't matter whether it's true or not, this is just what brings me more peace than some other approaches.

Answer 3

Neither! We are simply evolved organic structures going about the business of living. Like the trees, and like the animals that share our time here on earth, we will die, and go back to the earth. In time we will be forgotten, unless we have left something behind that can be used by those who are yet to be born. It's not an easy thought to come to terms with, specially with the plethora of imaginary 'places' and 'experiences' that have been dreamed up over the millennia for us to expect after death. But unfortunately, that is it. There is no soul, there are no gods, and when we die, we are gone. Nothing will remain.
When you accept that, believe me, life goes on as usual. You will find that you still know right from wrong, you still have your good traits and your bad ones, you still love are you are still loved. But your mind will be so open and free it will take your breath away! You will be surprised at the thoughts you will be able to have, without guilt and without restraint beyond those of your moral values.

Answer 4

We are both. We are individual souls existing within a collective. The collective concept I refer to is that in the tapestry of life, we are all threads.

Answer 5

Why can we be so confident about that? What authoritative basis is there for us to entertain such a bright hope? it is not about individual soul and spirit part of a collective, but how you entertain such a bright hope?

Answer 6

I think we are all part of the collective - with individual souls - all connected.

Answer 7

We are highly individualized. We can only feel our own perceptions. The rest of the world even other beings are still visual perceptions. We can not conceive of other people's pleasure or pain. we only make educated guess on how they feel. our evolution occurred based on the initial presumption that even a bacteria is only concerned to what happens closest to itself.

Answer 8

I have a soul that was created by God. It is what makes me special and unique and allows me to have a relationship with God that animals do not have. This is true for you as well.

God Bless.

Answer 9

Both assume that we are more than just random accidents in the universe.

The concept of a 'soul' is something that humans have invented to make themselves feel more important.

Answer 10

Are the two mutually exclusive?

Interesting question. I suspect an answer, but I don't know one.

However, I'm starring the question, because I'll be interested in how others reply.