arnheimsdomain | Entries tagged with faith

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*Spirituality Survey*
1.) What is your religion/spiritual path?	Christianity, from Methodist roots, moving toward Unitarian.
2.) Do you practice alone or do you belong to some kind of spiritual group (ie. church/synagogue/temple/coven/etc.)?	Church rarely, with partner daily & leading my class in prayers.
3.) Do you believe in God/Gods?	Yes
4.) If so (refering to question #3), what is his/her/their nature?	Ultimately unknowable, but approached by many paths.
5.) Do you follow the teachings of a specific scripture (ie. The Bible/Koran/etc.)?	The Bible, particularly the New Testament
6.) If so (refering to question #5), what is the nature of this scripture? It is mostly mythological or truthful?	Mostly truth. A mixture of literal truth, personal witness and opinion, with allegorical truth. I think even the mythological stories of Genesis are rooted in reality - for example 'Genetic Eve'.
7.) What are your thoughts on the relationship between science and religion. Do you believe in evolution or creationism?	I am a scientist & a Christian. I have no theological problems with evolution, which seems to fit pretty well with what little the Bible says on the subject. There is plenty of room for an active God in continuing creation: 'Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.' Matthew 10:29. On a related issue, what is the Big Bang if not 'Let there be light'? "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." Psalms 19:1
8.) Do you pray/meditate/etc.? Why?	I pray daily to say thanks & ask for help. Meditate much less often.
9.) Do you believe in some kind of an afterlife/heaven/etc. and what is it's nature?	Yep, probably incomprehensible, but involving returning to God. Bodily resurrection seems unlikely, but here's hoping! I don't recall there's anything to suggest we become 'guardian angels', but I think I'd like the job.
10.) Why is there so-called evil in the world?	Essentially, freedom to act allows the freedom to do wrong. See 'The Problem of Pain" by C. S. Lewis. And the Futurama episode 'Godfellas'.
11.) Do you believe in the devil/demons/angels/ghosts/spiritual beings/etc. and explain?	Yep. Angels are all over the scripture. As for the Adversary - not so sure about a bloke in tights, but it sure explains the urge to jump off high places. Come on, I know that's not just me...
12.) In discussing other people's beliefs, how do you feel towards them? Do you respect them or do you believe all others are wrong?	Got to respect other's beliefs - a) many paths can lead to the same mountain and b) even when specific ideas appear ludicrous to me, so what, I have been wrong before & probably am now in many ways.
13.) Do you believe that religion is required in order to have good morals?	Nope. I really respect Secular Humanism, for example. You can argue any moral framework implies externals which constitutea cultural or natural religion, but it might get boring.
14.) How do you find spiritual fulfillment?	Teaching. Works, when I can.
15.) Finally, if there is any additional information or comment you would like to make to clarity your answers, please feel free.	"...stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work—which is by faith." 1 Timothy 3
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