2007-09-16 14:40:27 · 25 answers · asked by Joao 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Wow, DukeFenton: you really think our spirituality is perfect here in the USA? Nowhere we could improve on anything? Is my presumption really unfounded?
2007-09-16 14:52:30 · update #1
We need to open our minds up to whatever God wants to tell us.
Most of us here in the US are pretty good at opening our hearts to God, at least nominally. That doesn't tend to be a problem.
The one thing I would do to foster spirituality in this country is to get fundamentalists to open up their minds as well as their hearts.
They are so afraid of thinking about God, so afraid that if they think too much, they will find out that God is really just a myth or fairy tale, that they avoid thinking at all costs. This is nothing but weak faith.
If all of us could open both our hearts and our minds to the movements of the Holy Spirit, we would be a giant step closer to the nation that God wants us to be.
2007-09-16 14:48:54 · answer #1 · answered by Acorn 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The important question is - why would you want to increase spirituality as a culture here in the US?
Why not ask - What one thing do you think we need to do to improve our realism as a culture here in the US?
What is spirituality, anyway? Can you offer us a definition?
Some posters have suggested reading "the" Bible, as if there is only one. Does anybody really think that the Tao Te Ching, the Analects of Confucius, and the Bhagavad Gita are any less "spiritual" than the Torah of the Hebrews with the New Testament writings that were attached to it in 325 AD long after the last of the apostles was dead?
Maybe a better question will get you better answers.
2007-09-16 21:55:02 · answer #2 · answered by pete w 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There is a confusion about what spirituality is... there needs to be an "Ah-ha!" moment where people realize that religion is not the same thing as spirituality.
Ok, so if religion is a group agreement to some third-party's understanding of The Mysteries, then spirituality is a *personal* understanding of said same Mysteries.
Therefore, to improve spiritual culture in America, personal understanding of The Mysteries needs to take precedence over third-party understanding. That is, people need to conceed to personal experience rather than taking someone else's word for it without personal understanding. If one agrees to someone else's word, one ought to test it out for themselves first and then *choose* to agree or not.
To improve spiritual culture in the US of A, religion needs to become "second" to spirituality... this is *not* to be construed as saying religion is "bad" in some way. Religion can still be a vital part of anyone's life who chooses so. But spirituality (personal belief) needs to inform how religion (group belief) is practiced.
2007-09-16 22:02:17 · answer #3 · answered by 'llysa 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Not to be unkind, but I think you're making an unsupported assumption that our spirituality needs improvement. Personally, I'd suggest incorporating more training in ethical philosophy into our school systems. Most religious 'values' - especially those common to many faiths - are easily supported by such reasoning no matter what one's faith (or lack thereof). An ethical populace is a more unified, respectful, and in some ways more spiritual people.
2007-09-16 21:49:16 · answer #4 · answered by dukefenton 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Get rid of the idea that there is a single right spirituality. Eliminating the concept of exclusive ownership of the truth would certainly help promote civility between the various traditions. This single act would lead to better understanding and conversations between the various faiths.
2007-09-16 21:46:22 · answer #5 · answered by Deirdre H 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Women need to be put in there place. We give them way too much power. They are destroying our faith and family because they can walk out on us when ever they want and they demand we be every thing they think a man should be or they will sleep with our best friend and take our kids.
2007-09-16 21:54:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Leave each other alone. Recognize that the US does not need or want a solitary spirituality. Learn about our differences and celebrate the similarities.
2007-09-16 21:53:24 · answer #7 · answered by Zimmia 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Fist off,we don't improve our spirituality,God does. Second one thing we do need to change is this. We need to love people,as Christ commanded,not judge them. It is no wonder that gay people want nothing to do with the message of Christ,when instead of loving them,we condem them. This needs to change. Some gay people are earnestly seeking God,and we condem them. This is wrong. When God called us,were we without sin? Were or are we perfect now,NO!.We need to love people,not judge!
2007-09-16 21:51:59 · answer #8 · answered by prophet of restitution 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Truthfully, I think we need to change our attitudes about life and death, and make more of an effort to understand our universe. Sitting on this planet and watching the universe surrounding us is NOT the way... We need to get out and explore, both literally and metaphorically.
2007-09-17 08:54:58 · answer #9 · answered by knight2001us 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get over the delusion of spirituality?
2007-09-16 21:55:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋