> I once asked a good frind of mine her
> definition, and I've never forgotten her answer: it's a combination
> of (1) self-acceptance and (2) sense of connection to a higher
> power.
But what kind of higher power is there for an atheist? That's why I
prefer Branden's definition. Although there are times when I feel
connected...but not to a "higher power," though. I feel connected to
other people, animals, every living thing, reality, and life itself.
Hmm, a thought just popped into my head. My aunt for years was in
serious denial about a lot of things, although she was very
religious. So, I think that an atheist who behaves consciously,
adheres to reality, and has integrity is more spiritual than a
religious person in denial.
... And, you might want to read the Bible too. All the answers are in there, so I've heard. As much as I like Atlas Shrugged, I just don't remember it having...
... But what kind of higher power is there for an atheist? That's why I prefer Branden's definition. Although there are times when I feel connected...but not...
... I should have said I didn't mean I agreed with my friend's definition, as a matter of strict philosophy, but that I liked the attitude it expressed. For ...
... often a ... obedience ... Marcy, do you remember which books you've read by Peck? The one that you're describing with the stages was called "The Road Less...
... I've read (and have) several of his books. I had to read _The Road Less Traveled_ for a psychology of personal growth class in college. Excellent book. I...
... I've always enjoyed Peck's stuff, taking it with a grain of salt. I remember reading about his stages years ago, and thinking that 3 stages is quite ...
... <neustaeter@t...> wrote: << It sounds like she, like anyone that could be described as a "religious "nut", is substituting religion for spirituality....
... Very well done. ... The exact wording has probably been changed by me, but the general sentiment is something I've heard (in varius forms) in the circles I...
Hi Marcy, I can empathise with your "feeling connected to other people, animals, every living thing, life itself" and I too am an atheist. Someone will let us...
... Pick one. Earthquakes, hurricanes, gravity, the laws of logic, the government or any other mob, life's terms. I know that I am not the most powerful...
... http://www.pantheism.net My spirituality can best be described as a type of pantheism (you could say it is a neo-aristotelian, non-environmentalistic...
... <neustaeter@t...> wrote: << For me, a spiritual person is one who cultivates that predisposition. A person who is motivated by achieving values more than...
... My favorite definition of love, and one relevant to this topic, is from Peter Breggin: "When I speak of love, I mean assigning such high value to a life or...
... Is he the guy who wrote _Toxic Psychiatry_? I read that years ago. Excellent book. ... That is a very elegant definition of love. I like it. Marcy...
I'd have to dig it up, but I think Robert Heinlein has a good definition in his (awesome) book "Time Enough For Love." On the surface it might go against basic...
... That's so weird, cuz I was thinking of that today on my way to work. An ex-boyfriend used to say it. He always said something like, "another person's...
... I'll bite: Frances Bacon. ... We do it all the time even without using the term god: We argue on these lists about what we think is the proper course of...
Hi Marcy, Just responding to your animal point. I get a lot of contact with animals and I certanly don't feel they're always against a negative. When I go down...
... You're right. As soon as I read that, I started thinking of a ton of examples...elephants, dolphins, whales, etc. Duh, my brain must be turned off today....
... I find this interesting because I had the same fear. My parents had planned on ahving four children and stopped after three, due to my mother's health...
I had a brother before me that died in childbirth, the umbilical strangled him. For the longest time, my parents were half convinced that I was his second...
Hi Lance, Francis Bacon it was - I'd dug that one out too. I wonder if any of the ancient Greek philosophers got there first. I can't tell whether you took my...
... In spirit, if not the literal words... ... I agree that that is a big part of a healthy spirituality. An example of a spiritually unhealthy core belief is...
... Scott Peck talks about having a "submitted will." I think it's a big step up for a lot of people, however they conceptualize it, to get the idea that what...
Hi Lance, I think I might have followed 80%. The bit about the "toilet" and "sitting" came over loud and clear. Of course I recognise that consciousness, (my...
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