So You Know (S.Y.K.) is a new weekly challenge from Revenge of Eve. This week’s questions are:
- What is the soul?
- What is religion?
- What is spirituality?
- What purpose do humans serve in the scheme of things?
What is the soul?
I conceptualize the soul as the energy that is contained within our body. I also think of the physics law of conservation of energy, and so it makes sense to me that when we die the energy contained within us goes back into the earth. Sort of a Lion King circle of life kind of deal.
What is religion?
When I think Religion I think of organized belief systems that address broad issues like a higher power, greater purpose, and the meaning of life and death. While this is something that can potentially give people a great deal of comfort, particularly during difficult times, rigid adherence to doctrine can cause a lot of problems. It can also get in the way of acceptance of others, especially those with different belief systems, although that’s probably more about certain people’s interpretation than anything else. The number of people who have been killed throughout history related to religious beliefs is truly frightening, and to me it shows that at its core religion may be about a higher power, but in practice its led by fallible humans who can become corrupted by power.
Personally the idea of an organized belief system doesn’t sit very well with me, so I am not and never will be a religious person. My parents were atheists as well, so it’s probably not too surprising that I turned out this way.
What is spirituality?
I see Spirituality as each person’s individual beliefs around the same sort of broader questions that religion addresses. Spirituality may be based highly, somewhat, or not at all on religious beliefs. Spiritual practices can include anything that allows us as individuals to connect with something greater than the microcosm of ourselves.
What purpose do humans serve in the scheme of things?
I’m not convinced there is a greater scheme of things, but I think if we can be compassionate towards others then we’ve done what we came here for.
If you want to join in, these are the S.Y.K. guidelines:
- There are no right or wrong answers… Your answers = Your opinion = Your life
- Answer a few or one, whatever you are comfortable with
- Pingback to any S.Y.K. post
- Use the hashtag #SYK to tag your post
- Be real. If you feel a certain type of way, say it. You were asked your opinion (double dog dare)
