Religion Versus Spirituality: Can Spirituality Flourish Apart from Organized Religion? (Debates in Dialogues) PDF Download
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Author: Joseph Schrock Publisher: BookLocker.com, Inc. ISBN: 1644385058 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 666
Book Description
This is a book that is devoted to helping inquiring spiritual thinkers find a path of genuine spirituality that leads them into spiritual growth and true harmony with the Divine. Three imaginary characters intensely and passionately debate questions concerning the reliability of Judeo-Christian scriptures, questions about whether the concept of original sin (in the Garden of Eden) is a viable concept for the twenty-first century, etc. Intense debates flare over questions about sexual morality, whether Pauline theology can be regarded as credible in our age of scientific knowledge, whether Heaven and Hell are real, and numerous other issues that are of vital concern to spiritual seekers. The three debaters in these dialogues are: 1) An independent spiritual seeker, 2) A Christian apologist -- devoted to a defense of mainstream Christianity, and 3) A devoted skeptic who questions all things religious or spiritual. If you are a spiritual seeker, one who finds that the materialist/secularist scientific paradigm for all reality leaves you cold, this book can engagingly point you in the direction of ever-deepening spiritual insights that will enable you to progressively advance toward genuine harmony with Ultimate Reality -- the Creator and Ruler of our wondrous universe. This book can show you that you need never to abandon intelligence, logic, science, or clear and rational thinking in order to attain a profound spirituality. True spirituality need not be imprisoned in the straitjackets of dogmatic or narrow thinking about reality. The Divine whom you can learn to serve faithfully and devotedly does not demand of you a repudiation of your God-given intellect, and God is never scared of humble and earnest questions. It was not stated flippantly nor erroneously that in regard to true spirituality, "Seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened to you". Many of the claims made in this book incorporate the conviction that one must not necessarily buy into the theology of any extant organized religion, but can have a "direct line" to the Creator, receiving thereby inspiration, encouragement, empowerment, inner peace, and growth toward spiritual perfection. For many in our "scientifically enlightened" age, religion is pushed into the "backwaters", and passionate devotion to spirituality is regarded as passe. This need not be so, because the Divine permeates every atom in this universe, and the energy that sustains the universe is also highly willing to inspire, direct, and guide your life. We need not settle for science as the "new god", because powerful though it is as a wonderful instrument, it is nevertheless constrained by the limitations of human powers and our relatively puny intellects. Your life can transcend what science has to offer, because science is bereft of powers to master the mind and the spirit of humanity. By availing yourself of the hints and guidelines offered in this book, you can discover a glorious path of growing inner peace and joys that transcend the powers of human understanding. Freedom of your will opens for you the door to genuine choice -- a choice that could (potentially) have the significance of Heaven versus Hell.
Author: Joseph Schrock Publisher: BookLocker.com, Inc. ISBN: 1644385058 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 666
Book Description
This is a book that is devoted to helping inquiring spiritual thinkers find a path of genuine spirituality that leads them into spiritual growth and true harmony with the Divine. Three imaginary characters intensely and passionately debate questions concerning the reliability of Judeo-Christian scriptures, questions about whether the concept of original sin (in the Garden of Eden) is a viable concept for the twenty-first century, etc. Intense debates flare over questions about sexual morality, whether Pauline theology can be regarded as credible in our age of scientific knowledge, whether Heaven and Hell are real, and numerous other issues that are of vital concern to spiritual seekers. The three debaters in these dialogues are: 1) An independent spiritual seeker, 2) A Christian apologist -- devoted to a defense of mainstream Christianity, and 3) A devoted skeptic who questions all things religious or spiritual. If you are a spiritual seeker, one who finds that the materialist/secularist scientific paradigm for all reality leaves you cold, this book can engagingly point you in the direction of ever-deepening spiritual insights that will enable you to progressively advance toward genuine harmony with Ultimate Reality -- the Creator and Ruler of our wondrous universe. This book can show you that you need never to abandon intelligence, logic, science, or clear and rational thinking in order to attain a profound spirituality. True spirituality need not be imprisoned in the straitjackets of dogmatic or narrow thinking about reality. The Divine whom you can learn to serve faithfully and devotedly does not demand of you a repudiation of your God-given intellect, and God is never scared of humble and earnest questions. It was not stated flippantly nor erroneously that in regard to true spirituality, "Seek and you shall find; knock and the door will be opened to you". Many of the claims made in this book incorporate the conviction that one must not necessarily buy into the theology of any extant organized religion, but can have a "direct line" to the Creator, receiving thereby inspiration, encouragement, empowerment, inner peace, and growth toward spiritual perfection. For many in our "scientifically enlightened" age, religion is pushed into the "backwaters", and passionate devotion to spirituality is regarded as passe. This need not be so, because the Divine permeates every atom in this universe, and the energy that sustains the universe is also highly willing to inspire, direct, and guide your life. We need not settle for science as the "new god", because powerful though it is as a wonderful instrument, it is nevertheless constrained by the limitations of human powers and our relatively puny intellects. Your life can transcend what science has to offer, because science is bereft of powers to master the mind and the spirit of humanity. By availing yourself of the hints and guidelines offered in this book, you can discover a glorious path of growing inner peace and joys that transcend the powers of human understanding. Freedom of your will opens for you the door to genuine choice -- a choice that could (potentially) have the significance of Heaven versus Hell.
Author: Robert Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D. Publisher: Ignatius Press ISBN: 1586179551 Category : Philosophy Languages : en Pages : 377
Book Description
Western culture has been moving away from its Christian roots for several centuries but the turn from Christianity accelerated in the 20th century. At the core of this decline is a loss of a sense of our own transcendence. Scientific materialism has so seriously impacted our belief in human transcendence that many people find it difficult to believe in God and the human soul. This anti-transcendent perspective has not only cast its spell on the natural sciences, psychology, philosophy, and literature, it has also negatively impacted popular culture through the writings of Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and many others. The warning signs of this loss of transcendence have been expressed by thinkers as diverse as Carl Jung (psychiatrist), Mircea Eliade (historian of religion), Gabriel Marcel (philosopher), C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. These warnings were validated by a 2004 study in the American Journal of Psychiatry which showed that the absence of religion alone was responsible for a marked increase in suicide rates, sense of meaningless, substance abuse, separation from family, and other psychiatric problems. Thus, the loss of transcendence is negatively affecting not only individuals’ sense of happiness, dignity, ideals, virtues, and destiny, but also the culture. Ironically, the evidence for transcendence is greater today than in any other period in history. The problem is – this evidence has not been compiled and propagated. Fr. Spitzer’s book provides a bright light in the midst of this cultural darkness by presenting both traditional and contemporary evidence for God and a transphysical soul from several major sources. He also shows how human consciousness and intelligence is completely special – and cannot be replicated by artificial intelligence or animal consciousness. We are transcendent beings with souls capable of surviving bodily death – self-reflective beings aware of perfect truth, love, goodness, and beauty. We are beings with an unrestricted capacity to know and create science, law, culture, art, music, literature, and so much more. The evidence reveals that we have the dignity of being created in the very image of God, and if we underestimate it, we will undervalue one another, underlive our lives, and underachieve our destiny. This work is the most comprehensive treatment of human transcendence available today.
Author: Ross Douthat Publisher: Simon and Schuster ISBN: 143917833X Category : Political Science Languages : en Pages : 352
Book Description
Traces the decline of Christianity in America since the 1950s, posing controversial arguments about the role of heresy in the nation's downfall while calling for a revival of traditional Christian practices.
Author: Philip Sheldrake Publisher: OUP Oxford ISBN: 0191642436 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 152
Book Description
It has been suggested that 'spirituality' has become a word that 'can define an era'. Why? Because paradoxically, alongside a decline in traditional religious affiliations, the growing interest in spirituality and the use of the word in a variety of contexts is a striking aspect of contemporary western cultures. Indeed, spirituality is sometimes contrasted attractively with religion, although this is problematic and implies that religion is essentially dogma, moralism, institutions, buildings, and hierarchies. The notion of spirituality expresses the fact that many people are driven by goals that concern more than material satisfaction. Broadly, it refers to the deepest values and sense of meaning by which people seek to live. Sometimes these values are conventionally religious. Sometimes they are associated with what is understood as 'the sacred' in a broader sense - that is, of ultimate rather than merely instrumental importance. This Very Short Introduction, written by one of the most eminent scholars and writers on spirituality, explores the historical foundations of the thought and considers how it came to have the significance it is developing today. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Author: Walter Brueggemann Publisher: Fortress Press ISBN: 9780800632878 Category : Religion Languages : en Pages : 180
Book Description
In this challenging and enlightening treatment, Brueggemann traces the lines from the radical vision of Moses to the solidification of royal power in Solomon to the prophetic critique of that power with a new vision of freedom in the prophets. Here he traces the broad sweep from Exodus to Kings to Jeremiah to Jesus. He highlights that the prophetic vision and not only embraces the pain of the people but creates an energy and amazement based on the new thing that God is doing. In this new edition, Brueggemann has completely revised the text, updated the notes, and added a new preface.
Author: Mark Cobb Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA ISBN: 0199571392 Category : Health & Fitness Languages : en Pages : 518
Book Description
Spirituality and healthcare is an emerging field of research, practice and policy. Healthcare organisations and practitioners are therefore challenged to understand and address spirituality, to develop their knowledge and implement effective policy. This is the first reference text on the subject providing a comprehensive overview of key topics.
Author: James M. Nelson Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media ISBN: 0387875735 Category : Psychology Languages : en Pages : 737
Book Description
Over a century ago, psychologists who were fascinated with religion began to study and write about it. Theologians and religious practitioners have responded to this literature, producing a fascinating dialogue that deals with our fundamental und- standings about the human person and our place in the world. This book provides an introduction to the important conversations that have developed out of these interchanges. The dialogue between psychology and religion is difficult to study for a number of reasons. First, it requires knowledge of both psychology and religion. People with a background in psychology often lack a solid understanding of the religious traditions they wish to study, and theologians may not be up to date on the latest developments in psychology. Second, it requires conceptual tools to organize the material and understand the basic problems involved in any attempt to connect the science of psychology with religion. These concepts can be found in many places, for instance in the writings of philosophers of science, but they are complex and often hard to follow for those without a proper theological and philosophical ba- ground. Finally, authors who write on the topic come to the study of psychology and religion from a variety of academic and personal backgrounds. This makes for wonderful diversity in conversations, but it makes understanding and mastery of the material quite difficult.
Author: Felicia Wu Song Publisher: Peter Lang ISBN: 9781433103957 Category : Computers Languages : en Pages : 204
Book Description
Does contemporary Internet technology strengthen civic engagement and democratic practice? The recent surge in online community participation has become a cultural phenomenon enmeshed in ongoing debates about the health of American civil society. But observations about online communities often concentrate on ascertaining the true nature of community and democracy, typically rehearsing familiar communitarian and liberal perspectives. This book seeks to understand the technology on its own terms, focusing on how the technological and organizational configurations of online communities frame our contemporary beliefs and assumptions about community and the individual. It analyzes key structural features of thirty award-winning online community websites to show that while the values of individual autonomy, egalitarianism, and freedom of speech dominate the discursive content of these communities, the practical realities of online life are clearly marked by exclusivity and the demands of commercialization and corporate surveillance. Promises of social empowerment are framed within consumer and therapeutic frameworks that undermine their democratic efficacy. As a result, online communities fail to revolutionize the civic landscape because they create cultures of membership that epitomize the commodification of community and public life altogether.
Author: Joseph Schrock
Author: Joseph Schrock
Author: Robert Spitzer, S.J., Ph.D.
Author: Ross Douthat
Author: Philip Sheldrake
Author: Walter Brueggemann
Author: Thomas Wirthlin McConkie
Author: Mark Cobb
Author: Frederick Buechner
Author: James M. Nelson
Author: Felicia Wu Song