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
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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
Get Book Here
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
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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
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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
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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: James M. Nelson
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 0387875727
Category : Psychology
Languages : en
Pages : 737
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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: Walter Brueggemann
Publisher: Fortress Press
ISBN: 9780800632878
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 180
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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: Thomas Wirthlin McConkie
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780996852609
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :
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Book Description
Author: Ilana M. Horwitz
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0197534147
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 265
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Book Description
"It's widely acknowledged that American parents from different class backgrounds take different approaches to raising their children. Upper and middle-class parents invest considerable time facilitating their children's activities, while working class and poor families take a more hands-off approach. These different strategies influence how children approach school. But missing from the discussion is the fact that millions of parents on both sides of the class divide are raising their children to listen to God. What impact does a religious upbringing have on their academic trajectories? Drawing on 10 years of survey data with over 3,000 teenagers and over 200 interviews, God, Grades, and Graduation (GGG) offers a revealing and at times surprising account of how teenagers' religious upbringing influences their educational pathways from high school to college. GGG introduces readers to a childrearing logic that cuts across social class groups and accounts for Americans' deep relationship with God: religious restraint. This book takes us inside the lives of these teenagers to discover why they achieve higher grades than their peers, why they are more likely to graduate from college, and why boys from lower middle-class families particularly benefit from religious restraint. But readers also learn how for middle-upper class kids--and for girls especially--religious restraint recalibrates their academic ambitions after graduation, leading them to question the value of attending a selective college despite their stellar grades in high school. By illuminating the far-reaching effects of the childrearing logic of religious restraint, GGG offers a compelling new narrative about the role of religion in academic outcomes and educational inequality"--
Author: Philippe Huguelet
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
ISBN: 0521889529
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 387
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Book Description
This book was the first to specifically address the impact of religion and spirituality on mental illness.
Author: Duncan S. Ferguson
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 144116054X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 259
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Book Description
This book is an insightful guide to the diverse ways that religious faith is practiced and spirituality is understood. Discussing contemporary issues such as post-modernism and the emergence of a "new paradigm," the new realities of geopolitics, globalization and global warming, this book explores the importance of religion in people's lives to provide direction in the society today. This book demonstrates the common quest among the world religions for a deeper and more profound spirituality. Describing the spiritual pathways of the various world religions, it assesses the ways that the beliefs, values and practices of these traditions can be life-giving, leading to personal and social responsibility and transformation, but also sometimes harmful and divisive, even used for dangerous purposes. Promoting constructive engagements between the world's religions, this book will connect social justice and ethical engagements with core religious practices and spiritualities. This is an ideal introductory text for students of world religions, spirituality and interfaith relations, broadening their understanding of these lived faiths.
