Theory & Method
On Spirituality: Natural and Non-natural
By , Appalachian State University (October 2008)
Sections: Theory & Method
Subjects: Religion, Theory and Method in Religion.
Period: 2000 - present.
Key Topics: psychology of religion, death, spirituality.
Abstract
Discussions pertaining to method and theory in the study of religion often address the problems and concerns regarding definitions. Precise definitions reflect the maturity of a discipline. The ubiquity of ‘spirituality’ in scholarly literature is matched only by its persistent imprecision. What is spirituality? This article presents a precise definition. Employing terror management theory, sociometer theory, attachment theory, and death anxiety studies, I argue that spirituality is existential self-esteem misrecognized. There are two types of spirituality. Natural spirituality reflects a symbolic immortality project; non-natural spirituality reflects a literal immortality project. Where the former is possible, the latter is impossible.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-8171.2008.00114.x
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