TACKER: avoyager (Avo Yager)
SUBJECT: Theology
DATE: 19-Nov-04 14:24:48
HOST: sverige

For those uncomfortable with "God" and "Bible", or the various institutions
which claim some religiosity or even spirituality, I offer... not as
scientific definitions, but for consideration and discussion ...

Theology is that component of human existence through which the individual
interacts with, or understands, his inner soul or spirit.

Philosophy is that component by which we interact with, or understand, the
collection of human society, our social experience.

Psychology is that component by which we interact with our natural and
physical selves.

In this view, we all do have some theology, whether we're conscious of it
or not; just as we also have operative psychology and philosophy, no matter
how little we understand it.

If we posit the existence of personal soul or spirit, we can proceed to
develop a personal theology which may or may not incorporate, or endorse,
any specific organized religious institution.

I think what happens, especially with what is seen and known as
"fundamentalist" religions, is that individuals buy into the doctrine
without giving the matter a whole lot of thought. This happens in part due
to a long history of religions, especially the Catholics but also
Protestants, teaching that God and religion are matters of "faith" which
are not comprehensible by human minds.

Intellectuals don't have to agree with that dim assessment.

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