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Religiosity, Spirituality and the Moral
February 16, 2015 at 12:47 pm
(This post was last modified: February 16, 2015 at 12:59 pm by Gavin Duffy.)
Hey guys,
Just curious to get your opinions on the emergent domain of 'secular spiritualism' vs. classic religious orthodoxy and how they relate to moral reasoning? It has frequently been posited that morality may only be deduced from a doctrine (or word of God) and that without so would leave humanity in a moral stupor. It would be interesting to hear some opinions on such topics as it relates to my thesis. Have also left my thesis link down the end if anyone has any interest in participating.
Thanks.
<SNIP>
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RE: Religiosity, Spirituality and the Moral
February 16, 2015 at 12:50 pm
(This post was last modified: February 16, 2015 at 12:50 pm by robvalue.)
Hello there, welcome 
I have no idea what spiritualism is, it seems like an empty word to me. Science rejects the supernatural from inquiry as unknowable. I'm not sure what that has to do with morality either. But secular morality is superior in every way to any kind of religious morality, there's not even any question about that as far as I'm concerned.
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RE: Religiosity, Spirituality and the Moral
February 16, 2015 at 12:56 pm
Gavin, just a heads- up on the rules. No posting of links for 30 days and 30 posts. Spam prevention and all.
Expect to have a mod fix your post for you.
As for spiritualism, what the hell is that? Sounds like leprechaunism or unicornism to me.
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RE: Religiosity, Spirituality and the Moral
February 16, 2015 at 1:15 pm
(This post was last modified: February 16, 2015 at 1:37 pm by Gavin Duffy.)
Ah thanks for the notice JesusHChrist, very green to the whole online forum policy. Was trying to find like minded fellows interested in my area of research.
Spirituality (practically a neologism in modern times), I believe, while certainly still tainted with ambiguity in many circles has less to do with any supernaturally deduced doctrine of belief, but more to do with an awareness of everyday internal subjectivity. It is a lift off from Eastern philosophy (Hara Krishna, Tibetan Budhism etc.) and promotes things like meditation (a practice i fervently endorse) the sanctity of life and 'the present'.
As for morality, I am reluctant to posit my position for ethical reasons, however my original thesis proposal suggests that while it is inherently difficult to carve out universal truths within the moral topography, organised monotheism does not retain a monopoly as is so frequently thought among the religious (particularly related to social in-group tendencies).
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RE: Religiosity, Spirituality and the Moral
February 16, 2015 at 2:10 pm
*Looks in here, eyes get really open O.O*
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RE: Religiosity, Spirituality and the Moral
February 16, 2015 at 2:21 pm
(February 16, 2015 at 12:47 pm)Gavin Duffy Wrote: Hey guys,
Just curious to get your opinions on the emergent domain of 'secular spiritualism'
Hogwash.
Quote: vs. classic religious orthodoxy
Other hogwash.
Quote: and how they relate to moral reasoning?
Gods don't have anything to do with morality. Nor does spiritualism. Morality is real, and those other things aren't.
Quote: It has frequently been posited that morality may only be deduced from a doctrine (or word of God) and that without so would leave humanity in a moral stupor.
That claim cannot be defended.
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RE: Religiosity, Spirituality and the Moral
February 16, 2015 at 3:07 pm
(February 16, 2015 at 1:15 pm)Gavin Duffy Wrote: Spirituality (practically a neologism in modern times), I believe, while certainly still tainted with ambiguity in many circles has less to do with any supernaturally deduced doctrine of belief, but more to do with an awareness of everyday internal subjectivity. It is a lift off from Eastern philosophy (Hara Krishna, Tibetan Budhism etc.) and promotes things like meditation (a practice i fervently endorse) the sanctity of life and 'the present'. I still don't get. "Awareness of everyday interal subjectivity" isn't really a working definition for me. My awareness that my thoughts are my own and might not represent reality, just like everyone else, doesn't convince me to do mediation or considers the present important. This awareness doesn't lead me to any other conclusions than we can be wrong about a lot of things.
Quote:As for morality, I am reluctant to posit my position for ethical reasons, however my original thesis proposal suggests that while it is inherently difficult to carve out universal truths within the moral topography, organised monotheism does not retain a monopoly as is so frequently thought among the religious (particularly related to social in-group tendencies).
My morality comes primarly from empathy. Empathy is the driving force that makes me act. My understanding that actions have consequences guides my empathy on what actions I should take to result the best possible outcome.
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RE: Religiosity, Spirituality and the Moral
February 16, 2015 at 5:08 pm
(February 16, 2015 at 12:47 pm)Gavin Duffy Wrote: It has frequently been posited that morality may only be deduced from a doctrine (or word of God) and that without so would leave humanity in a moral stupor.
Well if that's the case, we're screwed because it should be obvious that even if there is such a doctrine, religious types can't agree on what it is. That's why there are hundreds of different religions and those are fractured into hundreds of sects each.
In the end, religious types filter the vague and contradictory doctrine of their religions through their own moral lens. It all comes from self-conviction and entropy.
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.
Albert Einstein
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RE: Religiosity, Spirituality and the Moral
February 16, 2015 at 5:10 pm
Right. It's a ridiculous myth that morality comes from religion. It doesn't even make sense to say that.
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RE: Religiosity, Spirituality and the Moral
February 16, 2015 at 5:20 pm
Religious people are more moral? When people argue this... oh my goodness
![[Image: tumblr_mymn64rfbU1svi3flo1_500.gif]](https://images.weserv.nl/?url=38.media.tumblr.com%2Ffa2d6be61658ace8aad274042a14e1ad%2Ftumblr_mymn64rfbU1svi3flo1_500.gif)
"Adulthood is like looking both ways before you cross the road, and then getting hit by an airplane" - sarcasm_only
"Ironically like the nativist far-Right, which despises multiculturalism, but benefits from its ideas of difference to scapegoat the other and to promote its own white identity politics; these postmodernists, leftists, feminists and liberals also use multiculturalism, to side with the oppressor, by demanding respect and tolerance for oppression characterised as 'difference', no matter how intolerable." - Maryam Namazie
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