On Being Spiritual And Am I It?

[Kyuuketsuki]

First some background!

My Dad was Roman Catholic, my Mum had to change religion to Catholic (she was Protestant) in order to marry him, they had 4 children who were all bought up Catholic, two went to non-Catholic Grammar schools, my oldest brother and I went to Catholic schools both primary and secondary. My Dad died about 20 years ago of Cancer, my Mum had a relationship with another Man who died of heart attack a few years back (he was an ex-Jehovah’s Witness but still seemed to believe much of their rubbish) and, last year (nearly a year ago), my oldest brother died of a recreational drug overdose.

So anyway ... I’m talking to my Mum this morning on the phone, naturally enough about my brother and she mentioned that she, “knew he wasn’t a believer (none of us are) but ...” and I agreed saying he wasn’t a Christian but he was kinda spiritual, searching for something (I know this because I’ve been reviewing much of his computer documentation ... no problem there.

I don’t know quite how it switched to the subject but it went something like this:

Mum: Mind you, you’re spiritual too.
Me: No mum I’m not!
Mum: Yes you are, I know you don’t believe and all that but you are a spiritual boy.
Me: I’m not Mum.
Mum: I know you are James.
Me: Mum, I don’t believe in anything spiritual or mythical, how can you say I am spiritual?
Mum: I just know you are.
Me: I’m sorry Mum but I find that quite offensive, I really don’t believe in mythical stuff. I am flesh and blood and that’s all there is, no soul, no spirit, nothing.
Mum: I believe what I believe about you.
Me: Wrongly, I’m afraid!
Mum: Well you brought it up ...
Me: Er ... I didn’t ...
Mum: Let’s not talk about it ...
Me: Hmmm ...

So, apart from wondering if this kinda thing goes on between believers and non-believers all the time, this brings up a question ... what the [expletive deleted] is spiritual? How can someone claim I am when I believe I’m not, not in any mumbo jumbo religious sense? To my mind it seems to strike perilously close to that age old theist rubbish when they try to claim things like, “you’re only an atheist so you can do what you want” or “why do you hate god?”

Kyu

[Sophus]

I think the word "spiritual" is vague and has a different meaning to everybody. To some it is about the supernatural. But she may be associating it with having an interest in philosophy and life. Digging for deeper meaning in life comes to my mind when I hear spiritual, even though I don't believe in "spirits" or souls.