The same feelings of divine-awe some Mormons have when they receive answers to their religious questions I receive when religious answers are questioned. This is the method by which Mormon Inquiry operates.
Mormon Inquiry’s Method:
Purpose- I believe the best answers first come from the best questions. Mormon Inquiry attempts to develop the best questions.
I. Subject of post will be presented, most likely with considerations and possibilities
II. After reading the post, the reader will have the opportunity to attempt to answer the question or further develop the question
a. If the reader chooses to answer the question, consider the following
i. After the reader provides their answer, the reader should ask this question to themselves and provide a response
1. Is it possible the opposite (or some other variation) of my response may also be correct?
a. If there is an opposite or variation to your response, does this strengthen/weaken your argument or answer?
b. If there is no opposite or variation to your response that can be identified, does the absence of an opposite strengthen/weaken your argument or answer?
2. Or, how is my answer the best possibility?
a. What observable evidence supports my answer?
b. Or, what probabilities/feasibilities/plausibilities support my answer?
b. If the reader chooses to further develop the question, consider the following
i. After the reader provides their question, the reader should ask this question to themselves and provide a response
1. How does my question further develop the original or subsequent question?
a. Why?
b. Why Not?
2. Or, how does my question provide better possibilities?
a. Why?
b. Why Not?
Remember, the best logic not only makes sense within itself (circular) but outside of itself (linear).
Let us test the method with a subject with possibilities for your consideration.
Is the best religious T/t/ruth observable or believed?
The divine is not always so easy to pinpoint, nor is the logic used to describe the divine consistent, nor is the divine’s logic consistent. Questioning of doctrinal truth is legitimized because doctrinal truth in many ways is relative or contextual and cannot be seen, just believed.
The only truth that is measurable, outside of personal religious experiences and personal measurements, is the observable results and reactions of the religious individual and community. Or in other words, the only measurable truth is the observable actions of the religion’s practitioners. What do people do as a result of their belief? This question is observable.
Is the best (religious) T/t/ruth observable or believed?
I don't think your question asks what you're trying to ask. Is religious truths best believed or observed? Otherwise it sounds like you're asking about specific religious truths. Is the best religious truth (Love God, Love your neighbor for example) best observed or believed?
ReplyDeleteBut to answer what I think you're asking I would say religious principles are best tested through personal trial and error, and experienced through the individual's religious progression. Then measured among the individual's moral compass (Light of Christ)if the principle is right and true.
I also changed truths to principles because not all religions claim there teachings are truth, just like many mainstream Christians claim "mysteries".
In the end I don't believe there are religious truths and non religious truths, only truth. Discovering those truths is part of the journey called life. You can either accept them when discovered, or you can choose to ignore them. But you can't choose the consequences.
So religious truths are best applied, after all there is no religion that teaches something in order to not be applied in your life.
Austin-
My questions are intentionally vague, so they can be interpreted. I asked exactly what I wanted to ask and you answered exactly how you wanted to answer :). The 1st possibility I present the subject of doctrinal truth and give my two cents. The 2nd possibility I present religious truth as what actually exists as a result of religious belief.
ReplyDeleteSo going back to my post's last question, "Is the best (religious) T/t/ruth observable or believed?" It looks like you answer it here with your comment, "In the end I don't believe there are religious truths and non religious truths, only truth." and then you go on to say that it is this truth (the "only truth") that is best applied and measured (personally).
So, my response to your answer, is this "only truth" absolute? Does everyone experience it? Is it consistent?