How would you define spirituality?

[naomi24]

Following on from the ‘Religion for Atheists’ thread, is it necessary to believe in God to possess a sense of spirituality?

[beso]

Kiki-frog // The only possible comparison would be against places where religion has been discouraged or even, in some cases, outlawed - communist China and USSR spring to mind. But this would not be a fair comparison as in these cases political ideology take the place of religion. //

Astute observation. These regimes are often incorrectly raised by the religious as examples of atheist excesses and oppression. Many of the leaders of these regimes have set themselves up as virtual god.

[Kiki-frog]

And leading on from that point, this might sound like I'm being frivolous, but doesn't, for example, football provoke feelings of devotion in some people, as does religion to others? And I'm not talking about Joe Bloggs who likes to watch Match of the Day to see how Aston Villa are getting on, but rather the fanatic who is willing to fight supporters of rival clubs for the sake of his belief in his own team. Not that different to your average crusade or jihad really, it's just that the gods are slightly different.

Is this spirituality? I would say not. And neither is blind adherence without question to a religion, or indeed to a political party, or to the cause of atheism, for that matter.

Spirituality is surely about the quest for understanding our place in the universe and feeling 'at one' with whatever greater existence there may be. There are many practitioners of various religions who do just that, asking questions all the time, developing their understanding as they go. Just as there are many who use their faith as a comfortable bolt-hole to avoid reality. But to cite the latter to discredit the former is at best unfair.

[jomifl]

According to my dictionary I may be a spiritual materialist but then again I may not. It all depends on which definition is chosen.

[LazyGun]

Its an important question.

The religious would often claim that god is a necessary part of spirituality. Others suggest it is an emotional experience, a sense of connecteness with the cosmos, with nature, with creativity - all things immaterial.

So no, I dont think it necessary to believe in a god to have a sense of spirituality.

[naomi24]

Kiki, //Are we talking exclusively about the Judaeo-Christian chap with a long white beard living in heaven? Or is this a wider context to include, for example, the Gods and Goddesses of the Hindus or the neo-Pagans?//

Your choice.

//The use of the word 'spirituality' suggests the acceptance of the belief in spirit, i.e. something that goes beyond the merely physical.//

It doesn’t suggest to me that it’s something that goes beyond the mere physical. We might not understand it – yet – but I think it is physical – as is everything else in this universe.

Jake, //A belief in the supernatual is necessary - you cant be "spiritual" without that//

I disagree. I don’t believe anything is supernatural – but I think human beings (or most of them) possess an innate sense of spirituality. Beso is right – spirituality is a weasel word.

[DaisyNonna]

No

[naomi24]

No what?

[jomifl]

Not according to most definitions that I have come across.

[mibn2cweus]

Spirituality, as the term is commonly used is derived from a disassociation between the physical and conscious domains based on the assumption that consciousness, in some form, can exist independently apart from that which manifests it, the mind of a living breathing entity. Spirit is that which makes us give a damn about whatever it is we give a damn about, which in my case is life and justice. Spirit is an emotional quality that like any other must be guided by reason apart from which it becomes the driver rather than something driven, fostered and controlled through rational deliberation. Spirituality, like anything else, is something that demands a regard for that which manifests and makes it possible, apart from which it, along with its host, will perish.