QUOTE(sheldon2105 @ Feb 20 2010, 07:29 AM)
Hello again,
I think we may end up arguing semantics, or there could be a language barrier between us, so I would like to be clear about my beliefs.
I consider myself a spiritual individual...not a religious one. As a result, my spiritual beliefs differ from those of religionists. I know that the word "Spirituality" has taken on a disreputable meaning. Charlatans, magicians, and psychics are but a few of the derogatory descriptors. Some even call spirituality "new age mysticism", although, most spiritually based practices, like Paganism for example, pre-date most known religions...if not all of them.
For me, spirituality is...awareness. It is the realization that all of this was created; That there is a Creator; That we know absolutely nothing about who or what that Creator is.
For me, religion is the opposite of this. My belief in a Creator is not synonymous with religion. Is it necessary that one be religious to believe in something greater than himself? I do not think so.
As to the question of necessity...it is not necessary for me. My life has been decided by my own choices therefore, there is no need for me to look outside of myself for direction. I choose to explore my spirituality because I think it connects us to this planet, to each other and to the universe itself. We are made of the same stuff and that intrigues me.
As to the question of God...I do not believe in the conventional God of scripture. As I said, I know absolutely nothing about what or who created all of this. I simply know that it was created. I base that on a rational line of thought that I will explain, if I may?
I posit that existence is the antithesis of non-existence. Existence, then, cannot simply spring forth from non-existence without an external influence. Therefore, something created existence. I do not presume to know what or who that was, only that it is so.
The importance of a God then does not matter to me since my belief rests on the postulate I mentioned above. I believe that everything was created...whether that was by what people refer to as God remains to be seen.
Isn't that as simple as free thinker but why call it spiritual and that op for the definition of spirit as you have to explain. The term non believer seems like people who don't agree with the believer and don't sounds right either. I share your way of life, we have law, rules and regulations to govern our behavior so I don't need to follow anything or anyone unless my life is at stake that I must believe in something that cannot be explained or stop / close for discussion or improvement.I think we may end up arguing semantics, or there could be a language barrier between us, so I would like to be clear about my beliefs.
I consider myself a spiritual individual...not a religious one. As a result, my spiritual beliefs differ from those of religionists. I know that the word "Spirituality" has taken on a disreputable meaning. Charlatans, magicians, and psychics are but a few of the derogatory descriptors. Some even call spirituality "new age mysticism", although, most spiritually based practices, like Paganism for example, pre-date most known religions...if not all of them.
For me, spirituality is...awareness. It is the realization that all of this was created; That there is a Creator; That we know absolutely nothing about who or what that Creator is.
For me, religion is the opposite of this. My belief in a Creator is not synonymous with religion. Is it necessary that one be religious to believe in something greater than himself? I do not think so.
As to the question of necessity...it is not necessary for me. My life has been decided by my own choices therefore, there is no need for me to look outside of myself for direction. I choose to explore my spirituality because I think it connects us to this planet, to each other and to the universe itself. We are made of the same stuff and that intrigues me.
As to the question of God...I do not believe in the conventional God of scripture. As I said, I know absolutely nothing about what or who created all of this. I simply know that it was created. I base that on a rational line of thought that I will explain, if I may?
I posit that existence is the antithesis of non-existence. Existence, then, cannot simply spring forth from non-existence without an external influence. Therefore, something created existence. I do not presume to know what or who that was, only that it is so.
The importance of a God then does not matter to me since my belief rests on the postulate I mentioned above. I believe that everything was created...whether that was by what people refer to as God remains to be seen.
Feb 20 2010, 06:35 PM

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