Spirituality After(/outside) Religion - Religion - Nairaland
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| Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Nobody: 1:09pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
“Traditionally, spirituality has been defined as a process of personal transformation in accordance with religious ideals. Since the 19th century spirituality is often separated from religion, and has become oriented on subjective experience and psychological growth. [b]It may refer to almost any kind of meaningful activity or blissful experience, but without a single widely-agreed definition.” (Wikipedia) I think spirituality differs from religion in that religion is more concerned about being loyal to a god, and his instituted rules and regulations while spirituality is more of a personal value thing – being loyal to what we view as important for personal inner peace, happiness and compassion and justice towards others. Some of you know my story, but for those who don’t here’s a brief flashback. I was born into a intensely religious Christian home. I said the sinner’s prayer at age 6 and actually personally and individually surrendered my life to Jesus’s Lordship at 14. My life prior to my ‘deconversion’ has been lived under the dictates of the Bible to the best of my ability (with the enablement of the Holy Spirit as I thought then). Christianity as a religion and as a lifestyle through the edicts of the bible provided me with a ‘full’ blueprint/manual as to how a life should be lived; how I was to relate with God, fellow Christians, “the world” and myself. I knew that I had to love God and my fellow man and to hate sin in all its appearance because that was what was required of me by God. Long story short, I ditched Christianity awhile back… with its prepackaged morality and spirituality. As a Christian the motivation and incentive to be good is obvious – blessings, reward and recognition in Yahweh’s heaven or fear of punishment/banishment in his hell fire. Now that my view of morality has turned subjective and I see that we all pass away and are forgotten whether we do good or bad (and even if we’re remembered like Mother Theresa or Hitler to what end, how does a good memory benefit us after we’re gone) and it ultimately makes no difference to us, does it? Now that I’m calling the shots in my life, I still feel inspired to do good, and live a deeply meaningful life based on my own truth. I have to say that even though I missed some aspects of Christianity, especially the part that pertains the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (who doesn’t want an all knowing friend that understands and accepts him/her TOTALLY and feel the sense of accomplishment for blabbing gibberish for hours on end?  ) and I missed the esoteric, rhema talk with brethren too…but I have moved on and I have to tell you, I feel my life is much more better in every way after religion.Will you care to share your post-religion spirituality experience with us? I’ll like to know how you’ve found a way live a ‘good’, full, satisfying and meaningful life outside religion? 1 Like 1 Share
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| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Tallesty1(m): 1:41pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
I dropped religion not Christianity 2 Likes |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Nobody: 2:03pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
Tallesty1: Oh, I see. And how has your life improved ever since? |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Tallesty1(m): 2:59pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
Xcapist:In many ways. At first I didn't feel any different thou. And while I was waiting for all my questions to be answered and for the void in me to fill up. I started losing friends. Both online and offline. Every post I made on fb became an arena of attack and churlish language. But I didn't stop, I continued searching the scriptures and practicing what I read. I did go through certain troubles. But little by little, The void started filling up. He filled me up with joy and happiness I'd never felt or even knew existed. I became more kinder, more patient, no longer afraid to die, no longer living in fear of God, no longer scared of judgement/hell fire. To forgive those who had hurt me became easy. Honestly it takes commitment to walk this path of truth, and it's not for the faint-hearted because criticism and rejection would make the faint-hearted to drop. 4 Likes 2 Shares |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by MizMyColi(f): 4:21pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
^^^  |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by MizMyColi(f): 5:06pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
When I went off the grid of organized Christianity, I went through this blackout and detox period. I didn't go to church, didn't converse about God or Christianity, didn't pray, didn't read my Bible, didn't listen to "Christian music"... nothing! An interesting place to be for a former zonal prayer secretary, coordinator, prayer warrior, e.t.c During this season I became deeply connected with myself, others, the divine, and life itself in ways I have never experienced before when religion was running the show. I'm still going through this phases, only it's at different levels. Infact, while I'm convinced that there is God and Jesus and Holyspirit.......I really don't have this urge to talk about them, kinda irritates me at the moment. But within me, I talk to them, I just know that I'm transcendent and if anyone's expecting me to explain certain spiritual stuff based on intellect alone, that person is a big time waster. Currently, I'm questioning a lot of things, currently, I'm kinda confuzzled and it feels like I'm no where, but love will find me. Love always does. It'll give me a new sense of purpose, of direction. And Yes! There is spirituality outside religion, outside organized christianity. I'm living that life now and I can categorically say that I have never been better, more at peace and so full of life. Feel free to ask me questions. |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Ajibam: 5:47pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
MizMyColi:Which life? |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by MizMyColi(f): 5:53pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Nobody: 5:55pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Ajibam: 6:04pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
MizMyColi:Okay |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Ajibam: 6:06pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
musKeeto:I guess she don't talk about holiness too,, she is good to be your wife.. You always reason in the same pattern like her.. |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by MizMyColi(f): 6:20pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
Sometimes I wish people'll just know what I'm about really. I do believe a creator exists. I also believe that Jesus is more than Idea, More than a concept. Same goes for holyspirit too. I just don't buy a lot of beliefs and theologies any more. I just don't subscribe to organized christianity's idea of "God" Unfortunately, that's where and how I was raised. It leaves me wondering, what makes me different from the muslim, the budhist, the mormon. I accept all that has to do with promoting Life, I accept all that has to do with promoting Light, Love and Compassion. I accept the values of integrity, I accept the values of honesty, of purity, of nobility, of peace, of happiness - and I will do all I can to project these values. I accept freedom, I accept liberal(ness), I accept freethinking. I accept everyone. I reject segregation, I reject all forms of slavery - academic, social, religious - otherwise. I reject the OPPOSITES of all I've stated above. We may not agree on a lot of things, but as long as you're human, I am 100% sure, we can find a common ground, if you so desire. I guess the statements above still leaves me religion- less/label-less. But what does it matter anyway? After this phase, this confusion, only one thing'll matter, only one mantra'll stand. I've seen it happen before. Until then, I'll just keep living. 1 Like 1 Share |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by MizMyColi(f): 6:26pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Nobody: 6:28pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
MizMyColi: Sweetie, this sounds like a suicide note  , I hope all is well?  2 Likes |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Nobody: 6:39pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
Ajibam:The virgin would know all about relationships and marriage. |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by MizMyColi(f): 6:43pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Nobody: 6:59pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
MizMyColi: uh! it's OK dear, sadness is a state of mind, 10% of what happened and 90% of how we react to it. no matter what, just be happy and make sure the smile is always on that face. We love you.  1 Like |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by MizMyColi(f): 7:07pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
Scyllapatron: #BigSmile  Thanks. A Lot. 1 Like |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by macof(m): 7:51pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
Spirituality has been altered by religion to the extent at which people don't know what a God is anymore, and so conflicts arise with one religion claiming to be the superior or absolute truth, when non of these Gods actually exists as thought 4 Likes |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by MizMyColi(f): 8:18pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
^^^ May you get more sense. |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Ajibam: 8:40pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
musKeeto:  |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Tallesty1(m): 8:42pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
MizMyColi:Wetin? |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by MizMyColi(f): 9:01pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Tallesty1(m): 9:13pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
MizMyColi:You have questions to answer My phone went of when I was trying to quote you on X-capist's thread. Everything I typed disappeared. Why  1 Like |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by MizMyColi(f): 9:35pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
Tallesty1:  Lolest. Oh well, maybe that's supernatural! Ask me Dear. If I no fit, I go re-direct to appropriate quarters. |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Nobody: 9:40pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
I have Muskeeto, macof, Scyllapatron, (remaining wiegraf, mazaje, pastorAIO) all in one place....On my thread people who's pictures are framed and hanging on my wall. Does it get any better than this? Today is indeed the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it!! Can I get a hallelujah somebody?! |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Nobody: 9:41pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
Asalimpo, my friend, you've been sighted and you're welcome |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Tallesty1(m): 9:43pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
Xcapist: |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by MizMyColi(f): 9:47pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Nobody: 9:52pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
Tallesty1: No mind me jare na over excitement. You know na, when you're 'arguing' with Christians some of them are quick to invite their "big brothers" you'll see them not so discreetly mentioning them by saying "where's g0shen or fr0sbel oo? Let them come and keh this boy" some even send emails to call for back up oo. I've never called out for help sha because this our atheist big brothers are more feline in nature than the pack of wolfs/hyenas that can easily gang up against a prey. But sha, if I'll call for help any time soon I'll just call my Justice League; Muskeeto, macof, Scyllapatron, wiegraf, mazaje,........... |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by MizMyColi(f): 9:53pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
Xcapist: Ayman Bruva! One moniker up there tho' |
| Re: Spirituality After(/outside) Religion by Nobody: 9:57pm On Oct 19, 2014 |
MizMyColi: Hehehe, scylla abi? Have you had an "encanta"? |
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