From: Valence (valence10@hotmail.com)
Date: Mon Mar 31 2003 - 00:38:06 BST
Hey DMB,
> DMB says:
> The conversation between you two about the meaning of the word "theology"
> was very helpful. I agree with Sam's meaning, "what the religious
community
> says about itself". As I understand it, theology is the study of the whole
> system of doctrines and beliefs that define a particular religion. Its
> sectarian by definition. That's exactly why I think it is NOT
intellectual....
RICK
Defined in that way, I'd agree that "theology" would not be intellectual
pattern. It would just be more "static social fallout" from Dynamic
experience.
> DMB says:
> The quote from the SOVD paper has me thinking that Pirsig means "theology"
> as Rick has it, as a form of philosophy of religion. Some support from
Lila
> would be very helpful and even more convincing, but I doubt we'd find it.
RICK
I think we already have the evidence. If 'sectarian religion' is a static
*social* fallout from Dynamic Quality (see LILA ch30 p431) and 'theology' is
an *intellectual* pattern (see SODV) then assuming Pirsig didn't change his
mind about something and is not contradicting himself, 'theology' logically
cannot mean 'sectarian religion'.
DMB
In
> any case, we both agree that there are genuine intellectual approaches to
> religion and such, its just that I wouldn't call that theology.
RICK
Fair enough.
DMB
Maybe it
> really is just a matter of semantics, but I'd really like to hear you make
a
> case, my theology graduate friend. Does a theology student learn HOW to
> think about god, or does a theology student learn WHAT to think about god?
> That's a little too simple and too harsh, but you understand the question,
> no? Does a theology student learn about god, or how to be a priest?
RICK
The theologian studies that which the disciple believes. He doesn't learn
'how' or 'what' to think about god, rather, he learns 'how' and 'what'
various given groups think about god. I would think that generally jives
with what Sam means by "A theology student, in my experience, is taught
various ways HOW to think about God." Only I see it as an objective
process, and Sam thinks it's a matter of sectarianism.
take care
rick
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