Should the tolerant be intolerant?
Mark McCormack inquires
These are just a few of a number of questions I find myself puzzling over with various developmental theories of religious identity, social psychological theories of interfaith relations, and the like. One reading of such theories might suggest that certain paths of religious development are “better” than others, or result in a greater level of “maturity” than others. If I follow a certain normative path of religiosity, so it goes, I will be more open–minded and therefore more accepting of others who are different than me.
If, however, I get snagged at a certain point in my religious development and cease growing upward in a positive direction, I might spend my life wallowing in abject fear and hatred as an intolerant, closed–minded bigot who has an immature faith and distaste for diversity.
That’s one reading, at least.
Read more here.
|
|
|
|
|
Interreligious Angst
By: Bhikshuni Lozang
I've recently come to identify an area of experience which I am here naming "interreligious angst." It first came up last year, when I had my first experience of it, and since has recurred with increasing frequency, such that I am now able to observe a pattern of certain elements involved.
Read more here. |
Encountering the Painful Past in the Present
By: Hans Gustafson
I have a seasonal ritual of trying to remember events and practices of the places that I call home. This includes revisiting places that I consider personally sacred, since they hosted memorable and formative events of my past (e.g., a particular lake, childhood neighborhood, where I met my wife, etc.). This revisiting constitutes spiritual experience. Included are the powerful (and terrifying) places that are connected to pain and suffering, both personal and historical.
Recently I visited a few of the naturally beautiful places (such as Pike Island) along the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers in the heart of Minneapolis/St. Paul. I drive over these rivers twice a day on my way to work, and usually without much thought about the place beyond its natural beauty - which (re)presents the divine in a unique yet ordinary way.
Read more here. |
|
|
Call for Nominations
Please nominate a colleague, student, or friend to become a State of Formation Contributing Scholar! |
|
Most Recent Posts
*|FEED:http://stateofformation.org/feed [$count=5,$content=titles]|*
|
|
|
