A Rationale for Spirituality

Religions pretend to care for the spiritual needs of the human family. What they really do is channel and control the energy and actions of their adherents for the accumulation of power over them, and usually to the aggrandizement of some ulterior motive of the institutionalized church. This is effected through the manipulation of the myths and superstitions of the culture by claiming to speak for “god” in all matters of spiritual endeavor. The rational mind is naturally suspicious of this effort and often finds an atheist position that rejects spirituality and religious talk.

My problem with the “hard core” atheist position is that it often rejects the notion of spirituality as part of the human experience, replacing it with a notion of neurobiology and mental discipline. I contend that there is a “spiritual” dimension to the human experience, and its care should be part of the rational life.

So, what is this “spirituality” of which I speak? The best definition I can come up with is that it is the sense of the numinous. I don't mean only some mystical sort of “divine presence” or “wonder and awe” that are the stock in trade of many spiritual hucksters, but a sensible human perception of an inherent “rightness” of some situations and events. The sense of the numinous includes, but is not limited to, these “divine presences” and wonderful times, and also the sense of beauty and rightness that we feel on seeing scenes and situations that make us aware of our connectedness to each other and the universe.

There are clear scientific studies that show that humans are equipped to have this sense. Trans-cranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) can induce the sensation in experimental situations. Certain drugs are also known to induce the sensation as part of their effects. History records many disciplines and methods that may induce it. There is a vast body of art and history that speaks to a universal sense of beauty and wonderment. And I hope that most readers here will have a knowledge of the sensation of rightness that is the surest guide to maximal happiness for the greatest number of people – a principle that is nearly universally recognized as the basis of morals and ethics.

The neurobiological model of the brain minimizes the concept of mind and focuses instead on the nerves and chemical signals, explaining this sense as a merely physical reaction to stimulus and neurochemical release in the flesh. I wonder, however, why these circuits and reactions evolved and remain part of the human body. The science is clear, the sensation and brain circuitry arose via the evolutionary mechanisms of random mutation and genetic serendipity. But what life advantage do they give so that the process of natural selection keeps it in the mix?

We need to examine what happens if this mechanism is eliminated. There are not any studies I am aware of that specifically call out this sense, but I would expect that its lack leads to a severe anti-social personality (because there is no sense of connectedness to other humans) that doesn't reproduce effectively. The genetics of socio-pathology are being studied, and I am willing to predict that some of the causes to be found will include loss of the sense of the numinous.

Given, now, that we have a sense to guide and evaluate “spiritual” situations, what do we do with this knowledge? I, and many of the folks that I feel spiritually kindred to, actively use this sense in our everyday lives to inform and guide our behavior and plans. Some seek the spiritual within the structures of traditional religions and seek to reform religion to be more compassionate and supportive. Others seek practices and solace in non-religious manners, picking and choosing from a wide variety of cultures and traditions. Still others choose to label it as something other than spiritual and construct a lifestyle that affords them a satisfying experience.

I would like to see all good folk recognize this sense and accept the “numinous” label as something distinct from “religious” or “spiritual.” This would allow everyone, religious, spiritual and atheist, to see the basic rightness of the results of this sense and apply this sense in the living of their lives.