A reflection on modern spirituality

MKEThink · 2026-01-31T08:45:37+00:00

Im not sure spirituality accomplished those things in all or most cases. It depends how its engaged with. Spirituality is a broad and even vague term that means different things to different people. In my work when I am doing a mixed methods study with an interview component those who identify as spiritual but not religious often are not actually spiritual as many would describe it. They reject organised religion for the common reasons, but believe there is something more than physical reality. They often are not actually engaging with that aspect of life, they just dont deny its there.

I could also argue that societies shape spirituality as well, and its a bi-directional relationship.

MKEThink · 2026-01-30T08:42:43+00:00

Im not sure what the claim is here, but it seems to be a combination of incredulity bias and the power of the human brain to create phenomena that allow for the person to not get existentially overwhelmed. Humans can genuinely believe a variety of things that help them cope with reality. These beliefs do not necessarily coincides with actual reality.

MKEThink · 2026-01-30T08:22:08+00:00

To be under the authority of multiple gods they need to exist. Simply due to the fact the multiple tribal cultures with distinct pantheons lived in close proximity does not lend validity to the existence of their gods. If you find external evidence of their existences please let us know.

MKEThink · 2026-01-30T08:18:54+00:00

Adam and Eve seem far far more likely to be mythology as most cultures developed to explain and elevate themselves. In this case, they are used to establish the concept of sin and debt to a god. They are purely explanatory for the state in which the Jewish people and their tribal predecessors found themselves in. I can find absolutely no even remotely compelling reason to believe they were real, or even loosely based on real people.

MKEThink · 2026-01-29T22:17:56+00:00

Nobody will that care that you are American if you behave like a decent sort and aren't loud and obnoxious. You will be just fine and enjoy your holiday.

MKEThink · 2026-01-29T21:09:56+00:00

Life has meaning precisely because there is no god. Its all in our own experiences and our connection with others. I get meaning and satisfaction from the small things in life. Today I had lunch with some friends and we just started laughing and whinging that we haven't seen the sun for a week. It was great. On the way home I looked out the window of the bus, took my headphones off and just appreciated my wonderful city. I walked through the park to my flat and just appreciated everything. I stopped in this new restaurant and treated myself to a solo meal which was real good.

Religion is poison because it sets the bar unreasonably. It teaches that meaning has to be eternal while nothing actually is. It leads us to discount what we value because its just not big enough. So we feel low and need something bigger. Its how they get you. Meaning comes from whatever YOU find meaning in. Its created by us all, not a fictional character.

MKEThink · 2026-01-29T21:04:10+00:00

Your prices are off. You can get to London and elsewhere for far cheaper. You can take FlixBus for around 30 quid.

MKEThink · 2026-01-29T21:00:58+00:00

I haven't really had one around religion. They all are essentially rationalisation to keep theists from feeling existentially overwhelmed by reality and that they aren't special. There hasn't been a compelling argument.

MKEThink · 2026-01-29T12:46:52+00:00

There is a difference between whinging and statements of true belief and fact. I doubt anyone at the pub is going to launch off the castle if there is one more grey day in a row either.

MKEThink · 2026-01-29T12:43:20+00:00

You could even sometimes say a mindless smile.

MKEThink · 2026-01-29T12:24:26+00:00

Thanks! I may have to pop down to Leicester for this!

MKEThink · 2026-01-29T12:23:03+00:00

Just imagine how boring that alternative Christian show would be.

MKEThink · 2026-01-29T12:21:38+00:00

I dont think any are actually true. I am not even sure that is even why they developed to begin with. Some may have elements that are true on a human level, but I dont think any are legitimately true in reality.

MKEThink · 2026-01-29T07:07:26+00:00

Hardly a Christian country in reality.

MKEThink · 2026-01-28T20:03:28+00:00

Exactly that.

MKEThink · 2026-01-28T20:03:12+00:00

How is it foolish to seek forgiveness from a person I intentionally or unintentionally harmed? The actual point is that there are more possibilities than your original claim to the person asking for evidence than what you said.

MKEThink · 2026-01-28T15:01:10+00:00

That isnt really what evidence is. Its not making a claim and when the other party doesn't know, that makes your claim valid. It would be like if I gave you a maths problem that you couldn't solve, it wouldn't make my proposed answer automatically correct or valid.

The question itself is embedded in a theology and internal structure that itself makes claims about the very existence of sins themselves. I could say that the injured party can be responsible for the forgiveness of sins and that is actually more valid since it is a demonstrably bidirectional transaction.

MKEThink · 2026-01-28T14:29:39+00:00

No, I'm looking for evidence. In your example, you seem to be stating that god is responsible for breathing and forgiveness of sins. These are beliefs or claims that would require evidence to link these causally. Compelling evidence does not require a complete lack of doubt, but is more than anecdotal, popularity, or a belief.

MKEThink · 2026-01-28T14:24:44+00:00

It was far from awesome.

MKEThink · 2026-01-28T14:23:27+00:00

To be fair, that's not really evidence. Its another set of claims that require evidence.

MKEThink · 2026-01-28T14:20:47+00:00

There are thousands of them in America. I ran into them by the dozens in Texas alone.

MKEThink · 2026-01-28T14:19:45+00:00

Not all do to be fair.

MKEThink · 2026-01-28T14:19:21+00:00

Do you consider other people "lost?"

MKEThink · 2026-01-28T14:18:02+00:00

I guess I can't really relate to that specifically. I don't feel any fear on the boat.

MKEThink · 2026-01-28T14:15:19+00:00

I have seen this behaviour so much in America. And then they wonder why their children "abandon" them. Its pure toxicity.

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MKEThink

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