COSMOLOGY: is an understanding of the nature of things, human nature, good and evil. 1.It is the sum...

COSMOLOGY: is an understanding of the nature of things, human nature, good and evil.

1.It is the sum of what we know, believe, and value.

2.It forms the backdrop against which we make our choices.

3.We base our Cosmology on what we think we know.

What goes into making

your Cosmology?

Knowledge: refers to an integrated system of statements.

Understanding: knowledge integrated into an individual.

Rational Mode

Left Brain

Disinterested

Focus on Universe

Deals with How

Facts / Reports

Capture a Truth

Credibility in Details

Science

Mystical Mode

Right Brain

Sympathetic

Focus on Eternity

Deals with Why

Metaphors / Stories

Point at a Truth

Credibility in Whole

Religion

What we know comes from 3 sources

1. Revelation – God’s communication to us about God for our Salvation.

2.Rational – what we know apart from data from the external senses. (A>B, B>C, : A>C)

3.Empirical – what we know through data supplied through our natural senses.

REVELATION

RATIONAL

EMPIRICAL

HOW TO INTEGRATE????

1 – Recognize the presumptions of each source.

2 – Identify proper criteria needed to evaluate the information in order to determine if it is or isn’t true knowledge.

3 – Apply the criteria in accord with its properties.

Integration is seen in two models:

1 – Mingle Model

2 – Mosaic Model

MINGLE MODEL – Blends the various sources (Revelation, Rational, Empirical) without regard to their properties to attain an integrated cosmology.

MOSAIC MODEL – Blends the various sources according with their properties to attain an integrated cosmology.

We have a tendency to Mingle our sources.

The veracity of data from one source is used to measure the veracity of data from another source.

Loss, then, of veracity in one source may then result in the cosmology crashing!!!

The veracity of data from one source is used to measure the veracity of data from another source.

Intellectual Veto – Occurs when a one source, one teaching, contradicts reason and the person stops or should stop believing.

BUT – do not confuse the IRRATIONAL with the TRANS-RATIONAL.

Movements that lead to the decline in the ancient Western Cosmology:

1)The Black Death (1352)

2)Renaissance (1401)

3)Discovery of the New World (1492)

4)Reformation (1517)

5) Enlightenment (1687)

6) Industrial Revolution (1750)

7) The Second Great Awakening (1801)

GREAT LEAP – The Rise of Modern Man (Homo Sapiens) around 40,000 – 50,000 years ago.

Modern Man’s 4 Unique Properties

1)Abstract Reasoning – the ability to draw a universal concept from a specific object.

2)Planning – ability to take steps in order to achieve a goal that is not immediate.

3)Innovation – improvements occur in an on-going process.

4)Symbolic Mind – the use of images and rituals (language).

Early it became clear to the Homo Sapiens that what could be observed did not adequately explain reality.

Because the explanation is sought beyond the real of the observable, it is beyond the scope of science (empirical).

That leaves the solution to the Rational and the Revelation forms of knowledge.

Rational becomes Philosophy

Revelation becomes Religion

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Intelligent Design – is a contemporary philosophy which holds that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause.

Nota Bene – Intelligent Design is a philosophy, NOT a science!

Intelligent Design – 3 Concepts

1)Irreducible Complexity – refers to a single system composed of several well-matched interacting parts that contribute to the basic function of the system.

2)Specified Complexity – refers to something that is both complex and specific.

3)Fine-Tuned Universe – says that various natural forces have to be at a particular balance in order for life to exist.

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Begin with EXPERIENCE

-- Apart from Revelation, what does our reason tell us about life?

-- No matter how many new steps are found in the process, we always hit a physical STOP POINT.

-- All rational explanations lead ultimately to this stop point and try to explain what lies beyond it.

-- Thus, RELIGION

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The Development of Religion – 4 Models

1.Social Truth Model--– holds that religions develop in a society as a response to people’s needs rather than in response to an actual divine being.

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1.Social Truth Model

2.Progressive Truth Model – holds that God sends prophets each of whom brought teachings appropriate to their culture and context.

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2.Progressive Truth Model

3.Absolute Truth Model – holds that one religion is true and therefore all other religions are false.

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2.Progressive Truth Model

3.Absolute Truth Model

4.Fullness of Truth Model – holds that one religion most fully and accurately expresses the truth, others do only to a lesser degree.

Properties of Religion:

• Creed – Those beliefs that members of a religion hold in common. The beliefs need not be religious in their own nature, but any belief that forms their general cosmology. (Generally we talk about Primal, Eastern, or Western cosmological systems.)

•Cult – Refers to how the religion engages the divine or ultimate.

•Prayer – an effort at communion with the divine or ultimate.

•Ceremony refers to the practice of formal ritual.

•Code – Refers to how members live in light of their religious convictions.

•Social Codes – organize a religion as a society.

•Personal Codes – creates an ethic for members.

Stages of religious development:

1) Folk Religion, 2)Civic Religion, 3) World Religion

1. Folk Religion – elements of the creed, cult, and code that are transmitted from generation to generation informally.

• When seen outside the control of the leadership, folk religion elements may eventually be officially adopted or suppressed.

• General characteristics of folk religion, but not particular to a religion can be found in a type of thought such as superstition.



2. Civic Religion – a folk religion of a nation or state.

• Creed = Beliefs that define the nation.

• Cult = Shines and practices that embody and express the beliefs.

• Code = Following the laws and aspiring to the ideas of the nation.



3. World Religion – A religious movement that transcends racial, ethnic, cultural boundaries, but will include elements of fold and civic religions.

Top 7 by Population:

1. Christianity 2.1 Billion (roughly half are Catholic)

2. Islam 1.3 Billion

3. Non-Religious 1.1 Billion

4. Hinduism 900 Million

5. Chinese (Taoism) 394 Million

6. Buddhism 376 Million

7. Primal / Indigenous 300 Million

Certain properties characterize humanity’s effort to experience the divine.

Important Terms for Religious Discussion:

Theist

Monotheist

Unitarian

Trinitarian

Polytarian

- Believes in God’s existence

- Believes in one God distinct from the creation.

- Believes in one God in one person.

- Believes in one God in three persons.

- Believes in one God in many persons.



Pantheist

Panentheist

Polytheist

Atheist

Agnostic

- Believes that God and creation are identical.

- Believes that all creation is in God, but God is more.

- Believes in the independent existence of many Gods.

- Does not believe in God.

- Does not know what to believe.



Animism

Magic

Sacrifice

Divination

Myth

Ritual

Religious Specialists

- Belief that everything has a soul or spirit.

- The attempts to control nature.

- Something of great value that is offered to God.

- Discerning the will of the divine regarding the future.

- The stories that express what is sacred or true.

- Ceremonies that interact with the unseen. (reenact)

- People who maintain the authenticity of the religion.



Taboo

Fetish

Rite of Passage

Ancestor Veneration

- People, places, things, acts, that must be avoided.

- Objects that are believed to be lucky or ward off evil.

- Special rituals attached to some aspect of life. (birth, marriage, death)

- Ceremonies dedicated to the deceased members of the tribe.

CivilizationCivilization – A complex formal society that embodies a cosmology and produces a distinctive identity. (The distinctive identity is seen it its literature, art, music, fashion, cuisine, etiquette, and popular cultural activities.)

Etiquette – Standard behavior expressed in prescribed social practices.

What’s needed to make a civilization?

1. Large Population to support diversified labor. The allows for SOCIAL ANONYMITY, that is people can be unknown and unacknowledged in the society.

2.Food – reliable agriculture to support the large population.

3.Academic Skills such as literacy in language and math.

Characteristics of a CivilizationClass

Institution

-a gradation in society based on a criterion such as lineage, wealth, education, authority, etc. Often develops to a distinction between the “haves” and “have nots” which can result in tension / revolution.

-a set of values concerning something believed to be too important to leave to the whim of the individual. (institutionalization)

-STANDARDS, criteria for judgments.

-PRACTICES, effective ways of accomplishing a task

Characteristics of a Civilization-Surplus Agriculture; limited numbers involved in agriculture

-Permanent, Specified Occupations that require specified skill sets

-Developed Complex Social Order:

-Organized food production and distribution

-Organized religion and education

-Use of currency and markets

-Use of military

-Development of arts and sciences.

Civilization and ReligionCivilizations host Religions

The Cosmology of the civilization is taken as the set of self-evident truths upon which the religious practice acts.

The civilization can host more than one religion. Each religion forming its own cultures and subcultures within the civilization.

Religions convert Civilizations

A widely accepted religion exerts influence on people who are not practitioners of that religion.

A gradual combination of various religious and cultural beliefs may lead to changes in the ideas of a given civilization.

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