Secular Spirituality - Introduction
If we may, let us begin with the basics, which necessitates an acknowledgement of the diverse interpretations that exist concerning the word “spirituality.” Among theistic circles, this word can have no meaning outside of a belief in both an ontologically separate soul as well as a belief in God. This perspective views the soul as something inherently different and unique from the biological organism of our body; it views the soul as something ethereal and eternal. On the other hand are non-theistic belief systems including agnostics, atheists and adherents to Eastern religions whose primary emphasis is not the question of God or the soul’s existence in eternity. Uniting both the conventional theistic and non-theistic belief systems is a view of reality that suggests enlightened living on this plane can be found only in the form of graciousness, selflessness and harmony with others.
As we move away from this central and unifying point we begin to see the potential areas of disharmony; however, our point today is to only minimally explore the divergences, for so much has already been written about the disagreements as to make their re-hashing less than insightful. Instead we will focus on two things. First, the many points in common held between the camps of secular-agnostics and religious-believers. Second, we will pursue a more comprehensive definition of what is meant by the combination of the words “secular” and “spirituality.” For many, these words are incompatible and to force them into a conjoined definition is to rob both of any meaning. But is this a valid interpretation? We shall see.
The effort to find common ground between opposing systems of belief is viewed with suspicion by many from within both competing camps. Some harbor suspicions that the attempt to find unity presupposes that unity must exist, and in so doing, overlooks the areas of real disagreement. Caught up in today’s culture wars, where the clarion call of “unity” has lost its efficacy, this is a particularly easy thing to do. Others, the fundamentalists of both respective camps, view the entirety of their belief system as untouchable; to suggest any of their beliefs may be held in common with someone from an opposing worldview is to suggest they may need to incorporate truths and insights from the other’s belief system, a suggestion which destabilizes their own belief that they have everything “just-right.” Again, these tendencies are common within all belief systems, religious and non.
The struggle to find unity, if that is what drives discourse, is improperly given a position of primacy. An effort to find unity should come from a desire to know truth, whether it exists inside or outside of your country, culture or belief system. If we begin with the ideal that to know truth is our shared goal, then unity comes as a result of pursuing this, not as a goal in and of itself. In fact, we may embrace disharmony and a lack of unity in our pursuit of truth. While seemingly a nuanced position to take, in fact much turns on this distinction: when we adopt a belief system without truly critically analyzing it and contrasting it to other disparate claims of truth, we put ourselves in a position of adopting a convenient culturally-captive mindset and not the broader and better perspective of someone seeking to find truth regardless of where it takes him.
If we make secondary the pursuit of unity, and make primary the pursuit of truth, we must also seek to find truth in a way that allows us some modicum of objectivity. The easiest way to accomplish this is to integrate into our study and searching not simply opposing views on ideas we hold as true (which is not to say this type of comparison and contrast activity is fruitless), but to pick from the best of the world’s great faith and philosophical traditions. Having done this, we ground ourselves in the best of each culture and begin to be able to circumvent our culturally captive receptors and find objective truth.
Coming Next: Part I - Can Something Be Both Secular and Spiritual?
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“If anyone can show me, and prove to me, that I am wrong in thought or deed, I will gladly change. I seek the truth, which never yet hurt anybody. It is only persistence in self-delusion and ignorance which does harm.”
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