David T and Y'all:
Do you mean it's against network policy to say "mysticism" on TV? I'm so
busted. But seriously, I usually love your posts. I didn't really
understand your George Carlin comparison. And dogmatic about mysticism?
I didn't think it was possible to be certain about a mystery?
The only point I was trying to make is that you intentionally glossed
over an important distinction, the difference between religion and
mysticism. Pirsig makes the distinction more than just a few times in
Lila and ignoring that fact to make your points struck me as incorrect
and a little dishonest.
There's no doubt that religion and mysticism are related and
intertwined. There is not a sharp line between the two in some cases. A
liberal-minded, ecumenical, Unitarinan with a degree in philosophy is
probably much closer to mysticism than he or she is to fundamentalism,
for example. But to gloss over major distinctions like that is hardly
different than lumping astrology in with astronomy or numerology with
mathematics. There are important distinctions to be made if one is to
think clearly.
I'd like to suggest a book to suppliment your vacation bible school
education. Its called "Mysticism: Its History and Challenge". It is
essential an extension and expansion of William James' most famous work,
"The Varieties of Religious Experience". I just started it a few days
ago and am very impressed so far. The author is Bruno Borchert, a senior
researcher on art and mysticism, taught theology in Holland and is a
member of the mystical Carmelite Order.
Daves of the world unite!
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