COMMENTS:
I am a very skeptical person, an agnostic, but leaning toward atheist if you ascribe a consciousness to God. I am pretty set in my perspective, but I consider it foolish not to question thyself.
It would explain a lot. ;-)
No, seriously ... good question! I'll need to ponder it a bit.
I just tossed in that other option to be annoying.
If you're worried about the state of your soul, then it CAN'T be either stillborn OR diseased. You just carry different programming as a result of your growth process.
No, actually thanks, TS, it's a necessary option!
I wouldn't say I'm exactly worried, just have wondered. I figure if there actually were a God, and he was leaving me ignorant of some sort of universal understanding and comprehension of him that everyone else may be feeling (..uh, lol) than there would probably be a reason, such as to teach others acceptance. So I'd be his variable in an experiment, he couldn't punish me for it!
But in all honesty, it's just a thought.
Defects from birth always have some kind of genetic cause, either inherited or induced.
At present, I am imagining spiritualism as something that is not determined by genetics, this it would not be subject to defects of this nature.
Naturally, that is just conjecture, as I'll be the first to admit that I have no empirical idea of what constitutes a soul or spirituality ... or even if such things exist beyond the biochemistry of the brain.
Don't worry Mags. I feel that way too. You're not the only one.
Now, if you find yourself tapping your toes to Liza Minelli and Barry Manilow tunes, then you may indeed not have a soul.
Biochemistry of the brain?!? That certainly *can* affect things like cognition, perception, and emotion ...
Oh oh ...
Dammit, mags! Now you have me rethinking the whole thing from the beginning! :-(
Good topic!
Thats possible I spoooose, but at the same time the fact that you feel you may be deficient tells me that deep down you feel you need religion, I think the older we get the more we believe in a higher power.
by ABC on Tue Oct 05, 04 2:27pm
[+]
Actually, I disagree with you ABC. I think statistically, atheism and agnosticism are on the rise, though it's hard to find accurate statistics. I actually believe that religion is on its way out, as human philosophy develops. I think one day we won't need it anymore, and there will only be a few random "cults" left, stragglers. But that's just me. I am not trying to belittle anyone's faith.
well f''k you then
by ABC on Tue Oct 05, 04 2:44pm
[+]
I don't think spirituality has anything to do with religion. It's how you view things. If you could have any car in the world, would you pick transportation or one with style? When you see a full moon do you think satelite of something romantic. To me, a person devoid of the spiritual would be Dustin Hoffman in Rainman. I bet you're more spiritual than you think.
I find myself dumb-founded by your arguments, ABC. Your cleverness really trancends time. ;)
Elvislennon:
I don't really associate 'soul' with 'religion' either, just commenting on ABC's comment. In fact, I was hesitant to categorize this as such but figured the question was aimed at religious-thinking types.
Ehy! you ARE looking for an answer & thats the step in the right direction...
Haha Qui!
I knew people would take this ballot the wrong way.
Magdalenasdollar: You got soul--more soul than you can control.
And remember this--Your love of life will carry you through any circumstance.
(Just came back from lunch and that was in my fortune cookie)
Well, what about your parents? Or your extended family? Are they spiritual? Is there a link there that could explain your feelings and point towards genetics?
I don't think spirit is in the same class as physical or mental capabilities. It isn't a function unique to you, it is part of the mass of energy that powers the universe (and beyond). We all have access to it, in the same amount - it's a matter of knowing how to bring it out of ourselves. I think as you mature you become more and more aware of your spiritual self, a kind of tuning in. If you keep asking these questions, you will find it.
Great ballot, Mags!
I forgot to add (for legal purposes) that of course I have no clue what I am talking about, and it is all conjecture, no guarantees...
^^^ ...and hbinvegas did stay in a Holiday Inn last night.
mental spirituality is medically define these days in what seem to be in the form of a pill
...and how do I find my way home EL?????
Unfortunately Spiritual health seems to be a state that is a judgement call by self-righteous holier than thou freaks.
Stillborn ... or slowly starved, strangled, and stressed over time?
Trampled, let down, thrust into reality... all of the above.
Life is like a big truck going past your window. But you're always there watching.
...and if you look away, it runs you over?
It's easy to say what you guess or reckon based on your ignorance alone. It's easy to ask other people about things which you yourself should take responsibility for. If there is a God do you think you should find out about it from your know-nothing friend? Or maybe you should DO THE FUCKING WORK ON YOUR OWN?! This whole ballot is pointless. All you people are doing is telling the world you are ignorant. Find out! It's not impossible. Then again if you unquestioningly accept that The Big Bang "created" the universe, life etc then there's really no point in looking for any sort of meaning in your life or some ultimate truth. You might as well just carry on in your complete ignorance as you were.
cretin_slap,
There is nothing ignorant about removing myself from my own beliefs, fears, securities and insecurities in effort to ponder myself, my species and my environment. The only thing of ignorance in this ballot is the assertion that once you've found your perception of the truth, there is no need to study or philosophize the world around you and present and discuss ideas, new and old. The fact that you are hell-bent on belittling others for not agreeing on your faith-based opinion of God, that this decision you've come to is the final word, only makes you appear deranged and ludicrous, unworthy of such a discussion. While you sit back, convinced that your one little lousy opinion out of the billions out there is correct and close your mind off to the possibility of new discoveries, some of us will continue to be fascinated by the development of human thought and try our best to understand and expand on it, creating our own links to further evolve the human mind.
But that's your call. Sit back, crack open a beer, grab the remote and switch your brain 'off' and the telly 'on' (as you so oft randomly accuse others of doing). You've made up your mind, so your work is done, eh? Leave the rest up to everyone else and sling insults to hide your own faults.
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