Spirituality

[pitstopbunny]

This is a bit hard to try and descirbe....
Years ago I lost all faith in religion (I was a Christian) after a series of events made me question my beliefs. I had not thought about it for the last 10 or so years, until recently.
I do not want to 'find' religion again but I do feel as if there is something lacking. How do you define Spirituailty and how do I gain it? Sorry if that is really vague, but I hope you get the gist of what I am asking.

[Whickerman]

I think you're in exactly the situation Theland mantions in his question http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Society-and-Cul ture/Religion-and-Spirituality/Question369780. html

As there are a lot of answers given, have a look.

You are reaching a stage where you are looking for enlightenment. Be careful, as there are a lot of dangerous groups just waiting for you to come along.

[pitstopbunny]

Thank you Whickerman, I will check the link out. Thankfully I am not gullible. This all came to a point yesterday when I had to put my little dog put to sleep and it has just got me wondering it is all about! Thanks - Sally Ann

[Whickerman]

Hi Sallyann

You don't need to be gullible to be taken in by religious charlatans - of any creed - as they have very influential systems to get you involved. My point is that they see that people are looking for the spiritual feed that you crave, and like all successful businesses go out of their way to get their product where it can be sold!

[pitstopbunny]

Whickerman, I promise to be on my guard. To be honest I am not sure what I am looking for - maybe it is simply the meaning of life!

[Whickerman]

oh that? That's easy....

[wizard69]

Theland will be along shortly to save your soul...

[Pea Pod]

I attended a Christening today and when I came home I told my husband that I had lost my faith. I used to enjoy services, I can`t say just church ones as I was brought up Salvation Army. Today I felt no joy at being there, there was no spark that I used to feel.I like you cannot define what I really mean.Is it age or because coming on a site like this you start to question things, where as before you accepted your beliefs as the truth.

[Theland]

Wizard69 - Sorry I'm late!
Right! Who needs saving tonight?
Pitstopbunny?
Can I call you Sally Ann?
Please, step into me office ........

[Theland]

......... but seriously ..... you say you WERE a Christian. Lots of people say that, by virtue of attending a church, without ever being taught by the church, what Christianity is really all about.
So, with the greatest of respect, please may I ask, were you really a Christian, or just a regular at church?

[Theland]

Pea Pod - That is interesting. As I asked above, so with your permission I would like to ask you.
When you used to attend the Salvatio Army, were you taught the basics of Christianity, or was it more concerned with other things, like charity work, musical worship etc?

[pitstopbunny]

OK, I was bought up a Christian, a C of E school, prayers every morning etc & I did believe in Jesus etc. I then lost my Nan, grandad & mum all within 3 years & I lost all faith......If God/Jesus exsists why is he such a cruel evil *******?
Now I am starting to maybe just feel my age, but I have to have something that I believe in, I am just not sure what.

[Pea Pod]

Yes it was. My bible study consisted of Sunday School learning, and the odd parable during the Sunday Service.

[pitstopbunny]

I studied RE & did an O level in it, which at the time was just C or E based because of the school I was in, but I did enjoy it.

[Theland]

PP & psb - I also went to a C of E church as a child, and had "assembly" every morning in school, and R.E. lessons - and never ever learned what Christianity was all about, until I met a Christian who really explained it to me, when I was aged 29. (I'm 56 now!) I read lots of books about Christianity, and read most, but not all of the Bible over the years, and having had it expalined, and coming to understand it all, I finally became a Christian.
It didn't happen in a flash, as it does with some people. For me it was more a gradual realisation of what I believe is the ultimate reality, God.
Having been bereaved myself over the years, I too have had my faith shaken, but ultimately strengthened.
Talking to Answerbank debaters who are atheists / secular humanists, has been challenging to say the least, and serves the purpose of not allowing me to becoma complacent about my faith.
(Phew! That's enough for one post!)

[Theland]

sorry about the typing errors!

[pitstopbunny]

I am not seaching religion, I just feel as if there is something missing from my life, some sense of purpose. I do not know what, where or when, If I did, I'd be seeking it out.
There has to be some reason for taking the people & things closest to you, it is that understanding that I am looking for....some sort of peace of mind.

[Theland]

I can only tell you what I believe, and that is the basic message in the Bible. That is, God is the ultimate reality and and has to be true to His own character, which is perfect.
Therefore, He cannot tolerate sin, which is simply any action that makes us less than perfect, from a selfish act to murder! His perfect justice demands punishment. Jesus Christ took that punishment, so that we can be offered the free gift of forgiveness.
We therefore have a choice, to accept or reject that free gift.
When we are bereaved, as you have been, surely it is better to live our lives in the hope that our deceased loved ones, are in Gods care? One day we shall join them also? That is what I believe, and it is a comforting thought.

[Theland]

Remember also, that God is only a prayer away!
Even if you are full of doubts, that doesn't prevent you from praying to Him, and asking for His comfort, and peace.

[mibn2cweus]

As in any pursuit of understanding, in order to have a meaningful discourse with yourself or others on spiritual matters it is vital to have an understanding of the meaning of the terms you use. For the purpose of fruitful discussions with others it is equally important that a mutual understanding of the meaning of terms used in those discussions exists.

For all intents and purposes the meaning I apply to the terms associated with spirituality are based on my conviction that spirituality concerns the integration of ones mind with the physical body and universe from which the human mind and consciousness arise and a willingness to accept that beyond the physical form and the conscious mind for which both mutually depend for their existence, there is no other. All other pursuits of necessity must be blind and can yield nothing other than an illusion born of wishful thinking. To those who consider this closed system of thought isolated from potential possibilities that may exist in reality I ask what other reality can possibly exist, by what means is it perceived and how does such a reality supersede the evidence this reality provides in the form of perception and the understanding of it we achieve through reasoned evaluation?

cont. . .

[mibn2cweus]

The desire to step out of the framework by which you perceive and gain an understanding of reality is nothing other than a desire to depart from this reality. The real victim of such a pursuit is the corpse of your own mind which you have willfully left behind.

Do not seek to escape reality or appeal to a �higher authority� than you own mind. Embrace reality and you own limitations for this is the only foundation and foothold from which any real progress can be achieved. The spiritual gains you realise by adherence to this policy are as tangible and unlimited as your own honesty, perseverance, hard work and rationally guided imagination can earn for you.

Do not pine over the lose of a dear friend, companion or loved one but rather be a tribute to their memory by living the life they would have wanted for you by adhering to your own rationality.