tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4548800882193541538.post8226846245545690542..comments2023-09-13T01:07:04.732-07:00Comments on The Human Spirit: Stages of Faith?The Human Spirithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15079666206409444423noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4548800882193541538.post-3155584635759521222015-01-19T20:25:26.148-08:002015-01-19T20:25:26.148-08:00There is a lot to consider here: much like wonderi...There is a lot to consider here: much like wondering in what way the trunk, ear and tail are connected, if at all (elephant not being seen). Is faith subject to verifiability: is it more than the product of wishfulness and creative imagination? One's philosophy may not be fully congruent with the reality that is known through shared experience and verification. However, as Tevya said in "Fiddler on the Roof" "Tradition, tradition; because of our tradition, we know who we are and what god expects us to do." In the penultimate paragraph in your blog it is written "In this stage all faith positions are valued and appreciated and cherished." Also, possibly understood but not adopted; understanding tentatively held; universal truth that is useful. We might ask "to what degree is something true?" We can judge fairly accurately where the moon is at any time and how long it will take it to rotate to a particular position. We would generally agree that this is true. It is also true that some people believe things that have no supportive evidence as to being true. So in one stage we may be concrete in our understanding, and in others we may have a better understanding that is abstract and speculative. Regardless of ones stage of faith, trust, belief, etc. one's religious practices and beliefs should be directed toward ethical thought and behavior, whether it is a matter of rote training or insightful speculation and understanding. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13107212920450631476noreply@blogger.com