Defining Spirituality

Defining Spirituality by Rev. Robert Nelson Essay for Defining Spirituality            Much of the course was focused on a review of the major philosophies of the Western world.  It presents Quantum Mechanics, especially Werner Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle, the idea that physical forms can only be predicted with probability, is used as an argument for a spiritual worldview.  The course argues that atoms exist everywhere at once in both time and space and that God is in every atom of the Universe.  It also extrapolates from Quantum Mechanics the idea that science requires both faith and imagination.                 The course mentions far too many philosophical approaches to be addressed in this short essay but it is useful as a tool for bridging the world views between the spiritually minded and the more secular or scientific approaches.  Unfortunately much of the course is presented as an argument between those two world views: e.g. Plato versus Aristotle.  This opposition is neither natural nor inevitable.  The Muslim theologians, for example, did not fall into this dichotomy.                 The other problem with presenting these issues as an argument between two world views is that ministry is seldom, if ever, an issue of a logical argument as in a scientific presentation or a court room.  This points to the clear omissions of the course.  The course focuses mostly on epistemology (with a few comments on theodicy) but ignores the areas of logic and rhetoric.  Logic is the branch of philosophy which deals with proof (originally as in a courtroom).  Rhetoric is the branch of philosophy which deals with persuading people to take action and so focuses much more on emotions.  The latter type of communication is of course much more important in ministry.  Nevertheless the information is useful in bridging worldviews, especially if we remind ourselves that ministry is not an intellectual exercise. ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar