Conversations with a Sceptic (14): Scientific VS Spiritual Evidence
Q:
I was prepared to give you a like for the above until I got to:
"Just because I value science for giving us many advances in technology and understanding of the material world, doesn't mean I expect to explain everything through its lens. "
Unless you don't understand what science means, there is no other lens to explain anything through. Everything else is just imagination.
Don't get me wrong, nothing wrong with imagination. Before any advances occur they have to be imagined first but until they are verified through the scientific process they are simply products of the imagination.
I believe that's where you are. You are imagining a possibility (more power to you. who knows you could be right) and you put it in practice,( it seems to be working for you , which is great) but until you can verify the process through scientific analysis it is not replicable and of little use to anyone else.
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A:
A belief system is an ideology or set of principles that helps us to interpret our everyday reality. This could be in the form of religion, political affiliation, philosophy, or spirituality, among many other things. These beliefs are shaped and influenced by a number of different factors.
Even someone who only takes material science as the sole truth supplier has to rely on 'faith' that what scientists say is actually true. Or have you verified the existence of viruses by yourself? Have you calculated the trajectories of the planets by yourself? I doubt it. You believe and assume that what scientists tell you corresponds to the truth, because it can be verified by others and the findings can be replicated.
Hence, you do have a belief system just like everyone else, and like everyone else your BS is made up from data you got from others that you deem trustworthy.
Spiritual science works the same way, but instead of mapping the outer/material world, it maps the inner/immaterial world. Anyone who has meditated for a while knows that there are blockages and crossroads that are common to everyone. The more advanced people will be able to guide and direct those who struggle, because they've been there before.
A spiritual teacher doesn't become such because he has a long grey beard and wears an orange cloth.
They dedicate their lives to uncover the truth within, which is very different from what you call imagination.
Q:
Yes indeed influenced by many factors,but the only factor that substantiate them is evidence.
Evidence of what?
Everyone will find some sort of evidence in what he believes is the truth.
Here is the full definition of believe systems:
A belief system is an ideology or set of principles that helps us to interpret our everyday reality. This could be in the form of religion, political affiliation, philosophy, or spirituality, among many other things. These beliefs are shaped and influenced by a number of different factors. Our knowledge on a certain topic, the way we were raised, and even peer pressure from others can help to create and even change our belief systems. The convictions that come from these systems are a way for us to make sense of the world around us and to define our role within it.
I think it's very dangerous to think that anyone who doesn't take science as the only gospel is some sort of sheep, incapable of thinking by himself and living under the illusion of imaginary concepts. Dangerous because they block any way to gather new information and live in a rigid cage of their own making. This concerns everyone, not just materialists.
Again, your BS differs from other BSs only in the fact that you choose a narrow portion of the human knowledge (science) because that's what you feel comfortable with, it's easier to 'digest' and doesn't require you to do any further soul searching. Fair enough, it's your choice and there's really nothing wrong with it.
BUT, to say that a BS can be legit ONLY if there is (scientific) evidence to back it up, is simply wrong.
Spiritual science is built on peer review as well, otherwise anyone could claim to have obtained enlightenment or be a spiritual teacher. That is not the case though. Gurus need to be the living proof of certain conditions such as boundless compassion and love for all living beings, deep wisdom and be free from attachments.
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