This column explores how spirituality might evolve over the next few generations as science, religion, and global culture continue to interact. Rather than framing the future as religion versus science, it asks whether spiritual traditions can mature by separating empirical claims from deeper stories of meaning, identity, morality, suffering, and hope. The linked article and supporting tidbits expand the idea through TST’s Material-Spiritual Framework, offering a path toward future common ground without dismissing either scientific truth or personal belief.
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THIS MONTH: Spirituality.
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Column Archives
TST Column
June 2026
TST Column
Jun 2026
THIS MONTH: Spirituality.
Your spirituality does not have to disappear as science advances. It can mature by distinguishing shared empirical reality from personal meaning, faith, mystery, and the unknown.
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Listen to the column, or the research behind it.
Understanding Belief
Thread
Column 3 of 3 in the Understanding Belief series.
How ideas become truth.
Column Research
Stories: Science Philosophy Critical Thinking History Big Bang Metaphysics Evolution Biases Futurism Ancient History Ethics Reasoning
1 Essay + 6 Tidbits
1 Focus
Plus a bonus deep-dive article.
This Month:
— Spirituality —
The future of spirituality may depend on better categories: shared reality for empirical claims, and personal meaning for faith, mystery, and the unknowable.
Greetings!
–Michael Alan Prestwood
6 Research Tidbits
Wisdom Builder Crossroads
The research, stories, and questions that inform this issue.
1 Story »
Secular Spirituality Settles
Reference Date: 2200 CE (+/- 50 years)
Start to live your life better now by sorting truth from belief with honesty. Let science guide the observable, reason guide what is coherent, but hold spirituality humbly.
2 Quote »
“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.”
- Carl Sagan
- 1979
Embrace a secular approach to your spirituality which grounds awe and meaning in observable human experience. Judge spiritual claims against measurable effects.
3 Science »
What is the difference between a spiritual and empirical belief?
In your life, let empirical beliefs track the material world. Spiritual beliefs can still explore meaning, purpose, essence, sacredness, and the unknown.
4Philosophy »
What is secular spirituality?
To live within secular spirituality, your exploration of the unknown and unknowable need to stem from testable observations.
5Critical Thinking »
How does spirituality relate to public belief?
When talking about spirituality, remember to accept personal beliefs as is until you are asked to accept a claim as true. When that happens, the claim enters public belief, and needs to be sorted.
6History!
Is secular spirituality supported in history and science?
True spirituality starts when you prioritize nature. The stars, rivers, and living systems around us are not background scenery. They are the ground of awe.
Take the deep dive.
Linked Article
Philosophy
Working Paper
The Material-Spiritual Framework: A Philosophy of Spirituality
Spirituality
Embrace spirituality using a framework that sorts ideas carefully. Empirical claims belong to the shared material world and should answer to evidence. Spiritual stories can explore meaning, identity, hope, morality, and the unknowable. Clarity allows tolerance without surrendering truth.