by Brummie 25 Replies latest jw experiences
How do you difine spirituality now you are no longer a JW? Are you still a spiritual person and if so in what way?
Or are you totally unspiritual by your definition of what it means to be such?
How do you veiw people who are very spiritual?
Bit deep huh!
Brummie (who did not get these questions from the bottom of a WT page)
How do you difine spirituality now you are no longer a JW?
I don't really define it. I think it's different for everyone. There's an obvious difference between being spiritual and being religious. I think spiritual has more to do with being in tune with nature, your environment, and the people around you. By that "definition," I have always been spiritual.
Are you still a spiritual person and if so in what way?
I haven't changed, other than the fact that I am unsure whether or not there is a God. My inner self is still the same.
Or are you totally unspiritual by your definition of what it means to be such?
See above.
How do you veiw people who are very spiritual?I think spirituality is great. Very "religious" is a different story. I don't like it when people try to push their religion on others. Funny that.
Edited by - Wolfgirl on 6 February 2003 8:30:3
Very good response Wolfgirl.
an obvious difference between being spiritual and being religious.
I'm glad you drew that distinction, it clarified something I was trying to say but didnt, I agree totally.
Thanks
Brummie
Your right brummie........this question DOES require thought as I found out trying to think of words to make a post out of.
First I guess we need to know what spirituality is.
For me it means that it involves intelligence behind the workings of it. It's things that are programmed to work certain ways. It's a feeling deep within that you either literally feel or think you feel.
I'm really sucking at my definitions aren't I? This is a toughie for me. I'll give an example....,
In a belief system (religion) it is a belief that God is with you, aware of what your doing, interacts with you somehow, and you believe it and a spirituality ...or certain personality comes from you that some call spiritual. A person who is in trouble and someone far away KNOWS about it is a type of spirituality.
To answer your question.....I think I am less spiritual upon exiting the dubs in the sense of their definition of what spiritual is. I still believe in a creator but do not know anything about him and so I guess being spititual is tough.
There! I just made a perfect ass out of myself by typing the worst, unmeaningful post since I joined this forum! I'm at this moment going to look up the word spirituality and see how good of a job old man webster can do.
Thanks for tangling up my brain brummieLOL
Gumby
A person who is in trouble and someone far away KNOWS about it is a type of spirituality.
Well Gumby I think that is an excellent point in an excellent post! Yes I figure spirituality is only tuned into by a some people when they are in trouble, it makes them want to appeal to a higher being, maybe because they feel HIS judgement might not be as harsh as the one they are in trouble with...or maybe because they are hoping HE can provide the answer to get them out of trouble...a short term spirituality huh, when everything is going well they drop it.
To answer your question.....I think I am less spiritual upon exiting the dubs in the sense of their definition of what spiritual is. I still believe in a creator but do not know anything about him and so I guess being spititual is tough.
Yes I am also less spiritual by their definition of spirituality, but would consider myself far more intouch with my OWN since I left. Like you say, the discovery of a personal "spirituality" is a tough one...especially after years of "spiritual" deception.
Thanks gumby, your posts are great, dont be so hard on yourself, you give as good an input as anyone else.
Brummie
I feel more close to Jesus, and I read the Bible without the old boys in Brooklyn telling me how should I understand a verse that was written in my language(I'm Greek) before 2000 years
I am definatly not religious... I do not attend Church... But I do feel a closeness with Jesus.. I pray to him. I think religion has dont much damage in the world. I dont think God wanted us to learn from others-about HIM. I do believe After he left this earth-He did send the Spirit of God (or Holy Spirit) to let us know what is right or wrong...When we grew up with our earthly Fathers -no one had to tell us about him- we lived with him. I feel that is what I do now- I even know when I am offending Him...( just like I did with my Father on earth) I dont think it is any good telling folks what they MUST believe --- "Convince a man against his will-he's of the same opinion still" I do think that if some one shows a "right kindness-love- willingness to help" others want to know what you do believe & MAY also want to question our beliefs.I must say though it took me a VERY LONG time to come to this conclusion..Only since I felt a freedom in 1989....
Brummie,
Good question. Something to do with making yourself into a comfortable home for God to dwell in IMHO.
'Tain't nowt to do with "We thank you Jehovah for your active force", that's for sure.
Englishman.
Requires thought.......scared me away from this one already!
mac
I dunno...this is a toughie...
I've always thought of myself as a very "spiritual" person, but religion to me has always been like a cage... and my creator, a very far away and distant persona, struggling just as desperately as me, to break free from the dry old book and religions to which he/she was confined. I had to let religion go. I still believe in a creator, but I had to free myself and him/her from that way of life, where all my predecessors had placed him and where tradition had placed me. I was raised Holiness. Speaking in tongues, dancing in the aisles, whooping and hollering...being "slain in the holy spirit" while screams and threats of hellfire and brimstone ring from the pulpit.
I soon discovered the overwhelming sense of "holy spirit" or that energy I felt in those services, I could just as easily find at a concert or anytime my body was on a certain level and highly atuned to my surroundings. Then I met the witnesses. Not too much excitement going on there, but I felt as though I was learning something and being let in on some exclusive information that only a chosen few were fortunate enough to acquire. That I was acquiring knowledge that led to everlasting life... Needless to say, the KH was spiritually devoid of any kind of energy of any sort. Even demons (if there are such things) would cringe at the entrance of a KH, for fear of drifting off into a comatose state of sleeping forever. I left it all behind. I had to...
With true spirituality, IMHO, there is an intense sense of freedom...not this boxed-up package, with pretty wrapping paper-type of spirituality that churches and religions attempt to sell you. I couldn't define spirituality. To me, it is a sensation; a connection I feel with my surroundings; an eyes-wide-open acceptance of life and keen awareness of my being. I am totally new to this. It has only been this time last year that I even allowed myself the freedom to doubt the things I had ever been taught. But I'm liking it more and more each day. I feel closer to god than I ever felt in any church or any Kingdom Hall....
Bona
