Spirituality how common is it?

Xcellor

I'm just curious about the general population in Ireland and how spiritual we are as a nation. Largely Christian whether protestant or catholic is there people that read the bible and search for meaning? I'm not talking about the ones who goto Church on Sunday. Anyone can perform the motions (i've done it for many years myself) but I'm talking about a deeper spirituality.

I'm not part of a mainstream religion, in fact really I am not part of any religion now although I have a desire and sincere interest in the bible. I just get the feeling that people in general don't have a respect for the bible as the word of God. Perhaps I'm way off the mark so correct me if I'm wrong.

Where does one go if he/she wants to learn more about the bible? Are there study groups? People who respect and dignify the word of God... Are you out there?

X

philologos

Hey OP, would you mind telling us where you are from in the country and some people might be able to help you out with people who love God, and His word and may help you find a group you find fulfilling in this respect

homer911

I think you will find that in every church, there at least some who truely love the Lord, but by no means all.

It would generally depend on the denomination as to what proportion.

(Could probably come up with a scale if you really wanted, but I'm sure people would disagree with it)

homer911

You could always try an Alpha course
(http://www.alphacourse.ie/) or a Christianity Explored course
(http://www.christianityexplored.org/)

Xcellor

I'm in midlands.

I'm just curious because I tend to think about God and Christ on a daily basis and am interested in finding the truth... It's just sad that in a primarily christian country so little attention is paid to this.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Try a book called "Conversations With God" by Neil Patrick Walshe

Gist of it is that this guy asked questions and that God took over and wrote answers using hand. Corny, I know, but keep reading.

The answers that "God" gave were the answers I personally expect God to give. Main points being that God gave us two give: Free will, and unconditional love, no matter what we do with out free will. He also gave the idea that God did not like religion because it discouraged man to think for himself.

I mention it because I remember thinking, for the first time in my adult life (and I´m pretty much agnositc) that God really was love.

philologos

There is a lot of controversy surrounding that book, and I don't think it would encourage the OP to consider Christian spirituality rather than "popular spirituality" if you will.

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Jakkass wrote: »

There is a lot of controversy surrounding that book, and I don't think it would encourage the OP to consider Christian spirituality rather than "popular spirituality" if you will.

Well, any book that decries religion in the name of God will be controverisal, but inly in the eyes of the churches it decries.

Anyway, I read the OP´s statement to go beyond Christianity (despite his choice of forum) when he said he was not part of any religion. Apologies if wrong.

Xcellor

Thanks for your suggestion. I will look into this book. I consider myself Christian but really don't know enough about other religions to be anything other presently. I have come out , or at least in the process of coming out of a very controlling religion. Ive been independently studying and though I felt I knew the scriptures I see how very little I really did know. I'd like to sometimes not care what I believe but a fundamental part of me still believes...

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

Xcellor wrote: »

Thanks for your suggestion. I will look into this book. I consider myself Christian but really don't know enough about other religions to be anything other presently. I have come out , or at least in the process of coming out of a very controlling religion. Ive been independently studying and though I felt I knew the scriptures I see how very little I really did know. I'd like to sometimes not care what I believe but a fundamental part of me still believes...

It's Neale DONALD Walsch (sorry!) - would be intereted in hearing what you think of it if you do read it.

PDN

Ikky Poo2 wrote: »

It's Neale DONALD Walsch (sorry!) - would be intereted in hearing what you think of it if you do read it.

If you're interested in looking at non-Christian spirituality then Walsch might be of interest. If you're interested in finding out about the Bible then I doubt that a book that repeatedly contradicts the Bible will be of much help.

prinz

If it books you're after could I suggest the books of Don Miller? Spiritual but not overtly Christian.

kelly1

Xcellor wrote: »

I'm just curious about the general population in Ireland and how spiritual we are as a nation. Largely Christian whether protestant or catholic is there people that read the bible and search for meaning? I'm not talking about the ones who goto Church on Sunday. Anyone can perform the motions (i've done it for many years myself) but I'm talking about a deeper spirituality.

Hello X, are you looking for a deeper relationship with Christ or just God in general? Reading the bible will certainly bring you into contact with Christ in a powerful way if you read Scripture slowly and meditatively.

Xcellor wrote: »

I'm just curious because I tend to think about God and Christ on a daily basis and am interested in finding the truth... It's just sad that in a primarily christian country so little attention is paid to this.

Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the only Son of God (and God the Son). Christ definitively and authoratively revealed the truth about God to His apostles. If it's the full truth you're after, I would recommend reading up on the teachings of the apostles and their successors by whom the living truth is maintained.

Xcellor wrote: »

Thanks for your suggestion. I will look into this book.

My advice to you would be to keep well away from that book. You're not going to find the truth in it. The devil, remember, can appear as an angel of light!

Xcellor wrote: »

I consider myself Christian but really don't know enough about other religions to be anything other presently.

Stick with Christ! He's the Good Shepherd. He never leads His sheep astray and will keep you safe from the "wolves".

God bless,
Noel.

P.S. I'm Catholic.

hiorta

There is no direct connection between Religion and Spirituality and the terms are not mutually inclusive. Religion may lead the inquirer to Spirituality, but travel in the opposite direction is rare.
Religion tells you what to think (our doctrines are the best), while Spirituality encourages how to think.

philologos

I think many people would disagree with you hiorta. Especially here. Christian faith, and belief generally leads forward to a spiritual relationship with God through Jesus Christ. At least that is what I and others here would argue.

hiorta

Aye, indeed jakkass, I suppose so. Although Spirituality is within everyone regardless of belief or indoctrination without a hierarchy of competing Deities to get in the way.

philologos

Anyhow, without getting into an argument over what spirituality is, I want to deal with the OP's questions and concerns. I would suggest first going to church, and consulting with your pastor about the idea, or even just go to church for a few weeks to try it out until you find a church that adequately suits you. It's nice to be able to feel spiritually at home and to be with people who are friendly and welcoming.

Another idea is if you know other Christian friends who you have who seem to be relatively steady in the faith, you could meet with them until you find a more stable group to be in, or if you like that arrangement more, you could always keep it going.

Church of Ireland dioceses and parishes:
http://ireland.anglican.org/index.php?do=information.dioceses

Presbyterian Church in Ireland:
http://www.presbyterianireland.org/congregations/index.html

Evangelicalism:
http://www.aontas.ie/

General Christian:
http://www.christianireland.org/morelinks.cgi?category=12

I wish you the best of luck OP and I hope you find what you are looking for.

studiorat

Came across an interesting quote today, from one Mr. Chariji. (Raja Yoga walla)

Spirituality begins where Religion ends.

He's the master of the Sahaj Marg (Natural Way)meditation system. It's all a bit crystals and smelly candles for me but I thought the quote was good.

Excelsior

For the OP:
I would echo a previous commentator and recommend you to track down either Blue Like Jazz, Searching For God Knows What or Through Painted Deserts by Don Miller if you want to do a little more thinking about what contemporary Christian spirituality can look like. I really liked the approach in all three books and they personally encouraged me in my own daily devotions.

Húrin

Irish people are spiritually repressed. They believe in God but are afraid to talk about it.

Zombrex

Húrin wrote: »

Irish people are spiritually repressed. They believe in God but are afraid to talk about it.

Really? That is quite an uncommon opinion. It would seem to me that an awful lot of irish people are atheist or agnostic but go along with the good Catholic act because of cultural pressure.

Antidotal I know but I've never met an Irish person that believed but was embarrassed to talk about it (met plenty who wouldn't shut up about it), but met plenty of atheists who pretended to be religious and seemed genuinely ashamed of not believing.

Anywhoo, I suppose we mix in different circles.