Question

Write an Essay on “Man is a Spiritual Being”

Answer 1

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The Spiritual Nature of a Human Beingby William G. Huittpublished in Educational Psychology Interactive
Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University, 2000

A number of important psychologists have included humankind's spiritual nature as part of their theory of human behavior (e.g., Gordon Allport, William James, Carl Jung, Abraham Maslow.) And some have made it the central theme of their theory (e.g., Danesh, 1994; Khavari, 1999). Even though these researchers represent a minority within the scientific community, the view of a spiritual dimension to humankind is receiving increasing support (Gilder, 1997). However, most non-scientists have a different view of the importance of spirituality. Recent data report that more than 80% of the world's population expresses some sort of religious affiliation (Huddleston, 1993).

While there is no well-developed theory of "spiritual psychology" or "spiritual anthropology" (McLean, 1994), spirituality is fundamental and critical to the development of human beings and human society, in that spirituality defines the vision of who we are as human beings (Huddleston, 1993; Kirk, 1992). Huddleston states "we might define vision as a spiritual insight of who we are, why we are, and where we are going. Values might be similarly defined as standards of spiritual worth by which we try to live in accordance with our vision." (p. 142). From this perspective, one's view of spirituality has an important influence on one's values and self-concept.

Vision has been an important theme in religious scripture (e.g., "Where there is no vision, the people perish." Proverbs 29:18 ) as well as the arts and literature (e.g., "Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, Or what's a heaven for" `Andrea del Sarto' by Robert Browning.) One's perspective on humankind's spiritual nature also impacts the dreams and goals one develops and how one pursues them.

Vision is also important for communities and nations and the educational systems that provide their foundation (Hiebert & Hiebert, 1993). For example, the importance of the vision of world peace cited in Isaiah is one that many Americans hold dear: "They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

Answer 2

Man, the social animal, is also a religious or spiritual being. Religion is a major concern of man. It is one of the earliest and the deepest interests of the human beings.

Religion is universal, permanent, pervasive and perennial interests of man. Man not only, has biological, economic and social needs, but also, what is known as a religious need. He has religious quest which makes him to become restless even beyond the satisfaction of his basic physical needs. Hence the Biblical saying, Man cannot live by bread alone. It is also said that man from the earliest times has been incurably religious.

Religion is not a phenomenon of recent emergence. Its beginning is unknown. It is dateless. Some artifacts and evidences of the burial practices of Neanderthal man indicate that human being was a religious creature long before history began.

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The institution of religion is universal. It is found in all the societies, past and present. Religious beliefs and practices are, however, far from being uniform. Laws, customs, conventions and fashions, etc., are not the only means of social control.

Overriding them all, are religion and morality which formulate and shape all of them. They are not only the most influential forces of social control, but also the most effective guides of human behaviour. The social life of man in addition to its economic, political, philosophical, scientific and other as­pects has also the religious aspect.

Not only religion has been in existence from the beginning but also it has been exerting a tremendous influence upon other institutions. Religious dogmas have influenced and conditioned economic endeavours, political movements, property dealings, educa­tional tasks, ideological fervours, scientific inventions and artistic developments. Religion, which is based on the cultural needs of men, has added new dimension to human life and human develop­ment.