Are the lines between Philosophy, Spirituality and Religion blurred?

Question

I enjoyed the answers in Philosophy so far how about this one...

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AhvsYaCzOCSAEOfwLEQZG2Lty6IX?qid=20070724081809AA50Tvk

It would be appreciated

Answer 1

Some people try to blur such lines and the ones involving science for their own nefarious purposes, but these things are different to the objective scholar. Philosophy signifies Love of Wisdom and one seeks it. Religion is dogmatic and assumes someone has already found it before he even begins the search. Spirituality is not necessarily part of religion.

Answer 2

The definitions can be tied down pretty accurately, especially for one who specializes in writing dictionaries. In reality everything blends into everything else or rather is related if only by analogies. There is a philosophy of science, philosophy of religion and philosophy is supposed to use all disciplines as it is the love of knowledge. It is considered the father of all the sciences. Religion is a proper topic in philosophy as well as bringing science into the discussion on the nature of reality. Spirituality is non-denominational and crosses different religions. Religions are in such disrepute because they cause divisions when they are being employed to divide people while the goal is a better world and union with nature, God and each other. Peace on earth is harmony, not division. People are beginning to see that we are more alike than different and even animalsknow that the herd is to protect us, not turn on us. The mind is growing or evolving, if you will, and we are getting the message by the millions probably due to the information age. Religion is supposed to be spreading the "good news." Spirituality, science, philosophy and every other field is making rapid progress adding to the whole, sometimes better than denominations.

Answer 3

Let me say this:

If spirituality is the path to be taken in life and living , then religions could be likened to the various banners and hoardings along the path. Philosophy would be the clear road signals and pointers along the path.

In an idfeal situation religion and philosophy could guide us through to the destination . But , in modern times , there is so much confusion and incoherent thoughts of religions and various philosophical thoughts seem to justify each of those diverse religions.

That is why the average person is moving away from the real spirituality.

Answer 4

Sure. Religion and spirituality are really blurred and they both use Philosophy to explain their concepts. Religion is blurred by a lot of things. Especially greed and power but that is another answer. Philosophy is probably the purist of the three and that is mainly because it is so individually defined.

Answer 5

The lines between philosophy, spirituality and religion are clearly drawn.

Philosophy is the so-called scientia rerum per supremas causas - the science of all things through their supreme causes. It uses pure reason in order to understand things. Its objects of study are all things and all beings including god, the study of which is only one branch of philosophy.

Philosophy is the first step in understanding god: the object of religion. Through philosophy, the existence of god is proven through human reason. This is the reason why philosophy is also called the handmaid of theology, the study of god, which uses human reason enlightened by faith or vice versa. In effect, philosophy ends where faith begins, so that in matters of god, what cannot be explained by philosophy is explained by faith. In short, that which is explained by pure reason is philosophy, and that which is explained by reason enlightened by faith is theology.

Spirituality is something that can be achieved philosophically and theologically. Philosophical spirituality is based on the theory that man can have peace of mind, can have a clean conscience and can live a moral life by pure reflection using his reason. Religious spirituality always entails religious principles, dogmas and moral codes. It is based on the principle that God wants the believer to be holy and to follow His commandments.

So there, if the means used to achieve spirituality or to understand god is pure reason, then that is philosophy. But where faith or scripture or any religious writing is included, it goes forward one step and that becomes religion. Thus, The apparent blurring between these disciplines can be explained by the fact that philosophy is included in spirituality and religion as means to achieve their ends or purposes.

In history, philosophers like Socrates, Plato and Aristotle arrived at their own concept of spirituality and the idea of god, using human reason alone and their achievements were very much ahead of the great religions of today. Aristotelian philosophy later on became the philosophical basis of Catholic theology.

Answer 6

Absolutely! Philosophy helps us understand how we relate to the world and everything in it. Spirituality gives us the practices for our well-being and relationship to the world, described with such eloquence by philosophy and religion formalizes those practices to address specific subject areas so we as individuals don't have to recreate each on for ourselves. Modern philosophy draws from all religions to provide proof of concepts. Spirituality and religion does the same, making it difficult to tell the difference anymore.

Answer 7

Philosophy teaches us about life, religion and/or spirituality makes life bearable for some. While for others, to know something of each is enough.

Answer 8

Philosophy, deals with beliefs, not only about God.
Religion, deals with spcific rituals, and a specific God(s).
Spirituality, the trust in a higher power, an understanding that what we see is not all that is there to this world.
No blur. :-)

Answer 9

Only at Yahoo Answers.

Answer 10

as blurred as the lines between geography maths and french