Bibliography: BIB23453

web link	bahai-library.com/bibliography/BIB23453
reference type	Journal Article
title	Understanding the Human Condition : Secular and Spiritual Perspectives
journal	Singapore Bahá'í Studies Review
author	Sahadevan, Suresh
authority control	Suresh Sahadevan
year	2001
date	2001
volume	6
abstract	Our ideas about who we are, our purpose, and what the world is all about, significantly influence our decisions on how we shall live our lives. This paper examines concepts of the human condition and their attendant consequences. These concepts, derived from the secular (materialist) and spiritual (religious) paradigms, are compared and contrasted with each other to see which are able to best offer guidance for happiness for the individual and society. It is argued that contributions from both paradigms are important for human happiness, but it is vital that materialist explorations and pursuits are always founded upon spiritual principles. However, to retain its relevance and reverence in our contemporary era, it is important for religion to confront and address the challenges of distinguishing proper from improper practice of religion as well as working for the betterment of the world by concretely applying its core spiritual concepts to solve the major problems and difficulties of the world.
language	English
keywords	HUMANITY; SPIRITUALITY; SECULARISM
pages	129–165