DownInAMirror
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Joined: 7/10/2008
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Hello all,
I am a student of religion and a blogger(downinamirror.blogspot.com). I am currently doing research on spirituality and mysticism, and would like your input! At the moment I am doing reasearch on evangelical Christianity in particular, as I think it deserves more attention outside of political and social discussion. To that end, I would like to post some questions which I hope you will be kind enough to answer. Do not treat these questions as demands, but instead as the curiosity of an inquiring mind. I most likely will not revisit this forum directly, so if you choose to reply to these questions, please send your replies to my email, jzamboni@wesleyan.edu.
Thanks for your help!
-Jon
What is the root of spiritual experience? Is it possible to understand how the mind and soul are related?
Is there a significant difference between prayer and meditation?
Do the greatest threats to spirituality come from inside or outside the self?
Is truth entirely gnostic? In other words, can truth only be truly experienced first-hand, or can it be transmitted through other means (word of mouth, etc.)?
Can faith and spirituality be adequately explained in any tangible way?
Is objective truth more important than subjective truth?
Are crises of faith obstacles to be avoided, or necessary trials that deepen ones spirituality and faith?
Are fruits more important than roots? That is to say, are the results more important than their causes?
Protestantism seems to lack the strong mystical tradition that exists in Catholicism. Why is this? What is your opinion on mysticism?
Is glossalia (speaking in tongues) related to "traditional" mystical experience? If yes, how so?
In Roads of Excess, Palaces of Wisdom, Jeffery Kripal postulates that Protestantism is wary of mysticism because of its ties to eroticism. To what extent do you think this statement is true? Do you think mysticism is connected to eroticism?
Similarly, Protestantism does not have a monastic tradition. Is this merely because of the lack of a strong central church? Or is this doctrinal? Do you think monasticism has anything to offer spirituality in Protestantism?
Is a monistic interpretation of Christianity flawed? If yes, how so? What does this say about mystical experiences that suggest monism?
Modern quantum physics suggests extra dimensions that intermingle with the ones we normally experience. Is this at all applicable to religious thought?
Do you think religious experience centers more strongly on individual experience or the experience of the community? Is hermetic living an effective path towards spirituality?
Is it better to live above ones means or below ones means? Does asceticism play any role in your personal practice? Is it useful?
Is doctrine more important than personal spirituality? Is it better to follow ones own spiritual calling off the beaten path, or stick to more orthodox traditions?
Does organized religion pose a threat to individual spirituality? Or does individual spirituality threaten to undermine organized religion?
Is political involvement a threat to the integrity of religious organizations? To what extent are religious organizations political in and of themselves? Is this helpful or harmful?
There are striking similarities between the effects of hallucinogenic drugs and spiritual experiences. What is your view on this? Can hallucinogens possibly be conduits to advance spiritual experience? What about schizophrenic experiences?
Do all spiritual experiences (regardless of religion) stem from the same source? Do other religious traditions interpret the same force differently? Or is this some other experience at work?
Do you think we the spiritual experiences of anyone, regardless of religious tradition, can be helpful in a quest for spirituality?
What is more important-the similarities between religious traditions, or their differences?
Can salvation be achieved by accepting Christ without Christian doctrine? Similarly, can salvation be achieved by accepting Christ without realizing he is the Christ of Christian thought?
What is your interpretation of Aldous Huxley's Brave New World?
Is ignorant happiness preferable to educated cynicism? To what extent is suffering necessary for personal growth?
To what extent should concessions be made to social norms? Is it better to outwardly rebel against social norms or use them to your advantage?
Do aspects of society that contradict doctrine threaten faith, or do they serve as examples against which one can oppose, and thereby strengthen, one's faith?
Does popular culture aimed at a specifically Christian audience pose a similar threat as secular pop culture?
To what extent do you think is proselytization effective? To what extent do you think it alienates others? Are there any alternate ways to approach those traditional methods will turn away?
All affirmations are true in some sense, false in some sense, meaningless in some sense, true and false in some sense, true and meaningless in some sense, false and meaningless in some sense, and true and false and meaningless in some sense. Thoughts on this statement (from the Principia Discordia)? Do Zen traditions have anything to offer modern Christian thought? What does modern Christian thought have to offer other religious traditions?
Is universalism:
a) absolutely true
b) partially true
c) completely false
d) other.
Please Explain:
Thank you for your time!
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