This web-site is to examine the issues raised in the book Dispirited (Zero books, 2012), and extend discussion of the topics within it.
This ongoing discussion can be seen via the Blog pages here. There is also a tumblr photo blog, which showcases any relevant or interesting images.
The main concerns of this site/blog are the relationship between spirituality, religion and atheism. Below is a passage from the book, which gives a sense of my view – but please do use the blog pages to give your own take on these issues.
Cheers, Dave W.
My overall aspiration here is not merely, or at all really, to dispute the existence of a ‘spiritual’ component in the psycho-physical phenomena of human beings. Neither is it to rehearse increasingly tired, and tiring, arguments about a supposed clash between atheists, secularists and theists. What I find both more compelling, and more urgent, is the extent to which discourses of spirituality, from new-age ’Mind, Body and Spirit’ advocates, and to a minor extent from within established traditions who propagate an account of their own ‘contemporary spirituality’, are intellectually and culturally harmful. I would go further, and at the risk of sounding alarmist and bombastic, suggest that these discourses are a form of poison that taints not only critical and social realms, but also does violence to our potential to be authentic, happy(ish) and fulfilled human beings.
Hi Dave. Thats a pretty interesting out look. Curious to know why certain spiritual discourses may be pioson, I’ll have to read the book.
Thanks for your support Re our blogs. Must meet up for a session at Gandalfs.
Can’t find you on Twitter, I’m back on there now. @basecubic7a See you.
Twitter? @davidwebster is me- I’ll follow you anyway!
Might be a while till I can do a session- I’ll explain when I see you..
Cheers, d.
Just listened to the radio interview on “Tapestry”. Very interesting and enjoyed it immensely. I totally agree with your view that the practice of “cherry picking” fragments of belief has led to an inward looking viewpoint for those that practice this form of belief. However, I also noticed that the language used in discussing atheism (I am an “each to their own” atheist) is constantly couched in terms of conflict – for instance the use of “arena”, “battle”, “conflict” in describing discussions between theists and atheists. I would be interested to know your thoughts on whether, and to what extent, you think that this use of language is apparent within the spiritualist/theist/atheist discourse.
Ricky – thanks: glad the interview was interesting – I really enjoyed doing it..
I think you may be right – the debates between theists and atheists seem to be ever more polarised of late- and generate a lot more heat than light!
Given that they have become ever more entrenched (and based on a very particular conception of what religion is – on both sides) it is not surprising that an astute observer would note a preponderance of martial language. They seem to often be about ‘winning’, and about defeating your opponent..