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Author Topic:   Human Spirit
Stile
Member
Posts: 4295
From: Ontario, Canada
Joined: 12-02-2004


Message 1 of 61 (710084)
11-01-2013 9:57 AM


There is an interesting side discussion going on around Message 368 in the thread Importance of Original Sin.
I think it's an important topic that deserves it's very own thread.
This thread is about discussing aspects of the human spirit and how it plays a part in our lives.
What is the human spirit?
Some think it is a separate entity (body, mind, spirit) of human existence.
Some think it is a portion of humanity that is linked more with theological idea.
Some think it is a piece of God.
I don't believe any of that.
I think the human spirit is whatever each and everyone of us needs it to be.
I think the human spirit is our own personal junk drawer.
Everyone has a junk drawer at home... the one drawer where little trinkets or minor pieces of information you want to keep around end up. The drawer as the human spirit represents "whatever it is we need it to be."
It can be a source of unimaginable power (hope and will).
It can be a source of entertainment when things are dull.
It can be a source of strength when required, or just an extra laugh with friends.
It's the place that when you need something... maybe not even knowing what that thing is... you can go to that place and find inspiration to continue.
Are some people able to judge that another's spirit is weak or strong?
Not unless you let them.
Just like the junk drawer at home, no one knows what you keep for when you need it. Only you. You can open the drawer and show others, but there are likely many hidden compartments that will always only be known to you.
The human spirit certainly can be weak or strong, but no one knows that state except for yourself. It's also possible to trick yourself into thinking your own spirit is healthy when it's actually weak. It's important to be honest with yourself when reflecting on your own personal abilities.
How many ways can the spirit be strengthened?
It's varied for each of us.
Anyone claiming that it can only be done one way is only talking about themselves. Perhaps their spirit can only be strengthened in one way, but they are not able to make this claim for other people. Your junk drawer is in your house, not theirs. You can do whatever you want to it (or nothing at all) whenever you'd like. The "organization" within the drawer is your own. Another person's system for finding what helps them may or may not work for you.
Does understanding our spirit bring us closer to God?
I'm sure it does for some people.
Some people are very successful keeping a single tool in their junk drawer.
Others prefer a more varied approach.
The important concept is to make an honest review of yourself and stick with what feels right to you.
A junk drawer may or may not be perfect to show to others or be consistently logical or reasonable or absolutely true.
A junk drawer is about being whatever you need it to be. Storing the things you know you need. In order to figure out what those things are, you'll have to be honest with yourself.
How is this spirit helpful to human life at all?
It may not be helpful.
But... it makes us us.
Some people need it.
Some people want it.
Some people use it for all it's worth.
Some people ignore it.
Some people are corrupted by it.
It is undefinable and without limitations.
I think the human spirit is whatever each and everyone of us needs it to be.
Sometimes that's good, sometimes that's bad.
For the forum of Faith and Belief, or maybe Coffee House if this doesn't include enough "God Stuff" (although I think the discussion will naturally revolve around that anyway).

Replies to this message:
 Message 3 by Phat, posted 11-02-2013 5:38 AM Stile has replied
 Message 7 by Dogmafood, posted 11-02-2013 1:34 PM Stile has replied
 Message 19 by 1.61803, posted 11-04-2013 1:58 PM Stile has replied

  
AdminPhat
Inactive Member


Message 2 of 61 (710086)
11-01-2013 12:45 PM


Thread Copied from Proposed New Topics Forum
Thread copied here from the Human Spirit thread in the Proposed New Topics forum.

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 3 of 61 (710140)
11-02-2013 5:38 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Stile
11-01-2013 9:57 AM


Who imagined us?
Stile writes:
What is the human spirit?
Some think it is a separate entity (body, mind, spirit) of human existence.
Some think it is a portion of humanity that is linked more with theological idea.
Some think it is a piece of God.
I don't believe any of that.
I think the human spirit is whatever each and everyone of us needs it to be.
I of course believe that there is one Holy Spirit which not only created the universe that we claim to begin to understand but who even created the "junk" that many of us cling to hoping we can use it some day. While I wouldn't disagree that God the Holy Spirit can be seen by us as whatever we need Him to be,I also see Him as living and active....something in the drawer that can educate us and change our perception as we commune together. A common mistake for humans is to naively believe that we built the drawer (or discovered it in our minds) and that we are in control of what we store there, take from there, or assign value to what we perceive to be in there. The reality, however, is that long before we could imagine such things a Creator imagined us and foreknew our intelligence, strength, and limitations. My belief, anyway.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Stile, posted 11-01-2013 9:57 AM Stile has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 4 by jar, posted 11-02-2013 7:55 AM Phat has replied
 Message 17 by Stile, posted 11-04-2013 1:42 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 4 of 61 (710145)
11-02-2013 7:55 AM
Reply to: Message 3 by Phat
11-02-2013 5:38 AM


Re: Who imagined us?
What makes you think anyone or anything imagined us?

Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

This message is a reply to:
 Message 3 by Phat, posted 11-02-2013 5:38 AM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 5 by Phat, posted 11-02-2013 10:33 AM jar has replied
 Message 8 by Dogmafood, posted 11-02-2013 1:36 PM jar has replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 5 of 61 (710155)
11-02-2013 10:33 AM
Reply to: Message 4 by jar
11-02-2013 7:55 AM


Re: Who imagined us?
Its my belief. I am more than mere pond scum with a knowledge of right and wrong.
And GOD, Creator of all seen and unseen is fully capable of explaining further---should you seek His wisdom.
Why do you have me question my thought process? Dont you know me by now??
Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 4 by jar, posted 11-02-2013 7:55 AM jar has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 6 by jar, posted 11-02-2013 11:47 AM Phat has replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 6 of 61 (710160)
11-02-2013 11:47 AM
Reply to: Message 5 by Phat
11-02-2013 10:33 AM


Re: Who imagined us?
But you didn't answer my question at all.

Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

This message is a reply to:
 Message 5 by Phat, posted 11-02-2013 10:33 AM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 10 by Phat, posted 11-03-2013 5:44 AM jar has replied

  
Dogmafood
Member (Idle past 349 days)
Posts: 1815
From: Ontario Canada
Joined: 08-04-2010


(2)
Message 7 of 61 (710170)
11-02-2013 1:34 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Stile
11-01-2013 9:57 AM


The ethereal quality of things that we wish were so.
I think the human spirit is whatever each and everyone of us needs it to be.
So basically just something that we make up to make us feel good.
The idea of a human spirit is a coping mechanism that we use to deal with our mortal nature. It is a way of bypassing the reality of death and non existence. It is a construct of the mind that we use to beat the unbeatable test. It is what we aspire to be.
It is born of that human quality that is the will to survive even in the face of inescapable mortality.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Stile, posted 11-01-2013 9:57 AM Stile has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 18 by Stile, posted 11-04-2013 1:55 PM Dogmafood has replied

  
Dogmafood
Member (Idle past 349 days)
Posts: 1815
From: Ontario Canada
Joined: 08-04-2010


(1)
Message 8 of 61 (710171)
11-02-2013 1:36 PM
Reply to: Message 4 by jar
11-02-2013 7:55 AM


Re: Who imagined us?
What makes you think anyone or anything imagined us?
Probably the same thing that makes you think that someone or something imagined us.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 4 by jar, posted 11-02-2013 7:55 AM jar has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 9 by jar, posted 11-02-2013 2:52 PM Dogmafood has not replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 9 of 61 (710173)
11-02-2013 2:52 PM
Reply to: Message 8 by Dogmafood
11-02-2013 1:36 PM


Re: Who imagined us?
What makes you think I think something or someone imagined us?
I'm always amazed when folk can make such comments after the number of times I've covered that her at EvC?
I don't think any living critter was a specific intended critter including humans.

Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by Dogmafood, posted 11-02-2013 1:36 PM Dogmafood has not replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 10 of 61 (710201)
11-03-2013 5:44 AM
Reply to: Message 6 by jar
11-02-2013 11:47 AM


Re: Who imagined us?
jar writes:
But you didn't answer my question at all.
Oh very well.
The question was:
What makes you think anyone or anything imagined us?
It is my belief. I believe that God exists and that God loves us uniquely and cares about our development. I also believe in cosmological creationism. I don't believe that we are random at all.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 6 by jar, posted 11-02-2013 11:47 AM jar has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 11 by jar, posted 11-03-2013 7:58 AM Phat has replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 11 of 61 (710207)
11-03-2013 7:58 AM
Reply to: Message 10 by Phat
11-03-2013 5:44 AM


Re: Who imagined us?
Again, you didn't answer or even try to answer the question, just told us what you believe and not why you believe it?
What makes you think anyone or anything imagined us?

Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

This message is a reply to:
 Message 10 by Phat, posted 11-03-2013 5:44 AM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 12 by Phat, posted 11-03-2013 11:03 AM jar has replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 12 of 61 (710222)
11-03-2013 11:03 AM
Reply to: Message 11 by jar
11-03-2013 7:58 AM


Re: Who imagined us?
What makes you think anyone or anything imagined us?
The Bible says we were created in Gods Image. To me, this is the same as Gods imagination.
I could ponder what makes me think.
My thoughts are my beliefs....
Edited by Phat, : No reason given.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 11 by jar, posted 11-03-2013 7:58 AM jar has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 13 by jar, posted 11-03-2013 12:08 PM Phat has replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 13 of 61 (710225)
11-03-2013 12:08 PM
Reply to: Message 12 by Phat
11-03-2013 11:03 AM


Re: Who imagined us?
The Bible says we were created in Gods Image. To me, this is the same as Gods imagination.
So you base your position on misrepresenting what the story says? Got it.
But if you are basing it on Genesis 1 then everything was created by God imagining stuff, humans, pond scum, trees...
"Image" and "Imagination" are not synonymous.
So, God imagined all that is, seen and unseen.
What does that have to do with "Human Spirit", whatever that is?

Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

This message is a reply to:
 Message 12 by Phat, posted 11-03-2013 11:03 AM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 14 by Phat, posted 11-03-2013 12:12 PM jar has replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 14 of 61 (710226)
11-03-2013 12:12 PM
Reply to: Message 13 by jar
11-03-2013 12:08 PM


Re: Who imagined us?
jar writes:
So, God imagined all that is, seen and unseen.
What does that have to do with "Human Spirit", whatever that is?
To me, human spirit is simply gusto
passion to learn

This message is a reply to:
 Message 13 by jar, posted 11-03-2013 12:08 PM jar has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 15 by jar, posted 11-03-2013 12:19 PM Phat has replied

  
jar
Member (Idle past 394 days)
Posts: 34026
From: Texas!!
Joined: 04-20-2004


Message 15 of 61 (710228)
11-03-2013 12:19 PM
Reply to: Message 14 by Phat
11-03-2013 12:12 PM


Re: Who imagined us?
Okay, so human spirit has absolutely nothing to do with who may or may not have imagined us, with beliefs, with a religion or anything else. Got it.

Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!

This message is a reply to:
 Message 14 by Phat, posted 11-03-2013 12:12 PM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 16 by Phat, posted 11-03-2013 12:56 PM jar has seen this message but not replied

  
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