Spiritual Personality Types

[fantôme profane]

From what have posted here it seems like an interesting guideline, but I agree with those in this thread you have said that there are more shades of gray than this. I use to say that on my on my bad days I am an atheist and on my good days I am a mystic. And just now sitting here typing this I am struck that I haven’t said that or felt that way in a long time, it seems that I may have integrated. Fascinating, but enough about me. The point I want to make is that people can take different approached to different things at different times. For instance you talk about someone taking an Atheistic approach being in a church appreciating the rituals on an aesthetic level. And I think that what you are talking about is appreciating the aesthetics on an intellectual level, but even with that there is a fine line between appreciating the aesthetics and being “taken by the beauty”. In other words I think an Atheistic approach can lead to a Mystic approach.

From what you have written it seems that Smith would distinguish between a Monotheistic and Polytheistic approach by looking at how much concern one has for “spirits” (saints, angels. demons), but again here it is easy to see that this is a matter of degree, there is a lot of grey between the black and white of complete lack of concern for spirits and complete focus on spirits.

Interesting thread, it reminded me of this: What's Your Spiritual Type?

[mball1297]

Originally Posted by Storm

In his book, Why Religion Matters: The Fate of the Human Spirit in an Age of Disbelief, Huston Smith touches on his theory of spiritual personality types.These types have nothing to do with an individual's actual beliefs, but rather how they approach those beliefs. There are four types: the Atheist, the Polytheist, the Monotheist, and the Mystic.

I'll do my best to illustrate what the types mean using the example of a Catholic.

Atheist: God has no bearing on how the Atheist lives his life. If he goes to church, it is primarily a social exercise, or an aesthetic appreciation of the rituals themselves. He may or may not follow the moral and social dictates of the Church, but if he does, it is only because they agree with his own conclusions. He is unconcerned with the lesser spiritual beings (angels, saints, demons).

Polytheist: The Polytheist is primarily concerned with spirits in the world. In the case of the Catholic, while he acknowledges the supremacy of God, the focus of his spiritual practice is not God, but the saints, angels and demons. He sees the work of these beings in everything. He believes that demons tempt us, angels protect, and is much more likely to pray to a saint than God.

Monotheist: The Polytheist's opposite number. While he acknowledges the spirits that define the Polytheist's worldview, for him God is all that matters. His prayers are directed to God, not the saints. He may believe in Satan and demonic influence, but he is untroubled by this.

Mystic: "The Mystic doubles back over the same ground and finds God in everything," as Smith puts it. The Mystic sees Satan as ultimately God's creature. He is likely to have a well-developed theodicy, and does not pray so much as seek communion with God. He may be extremely obedient to the Church, or border on heresy, as he forges his own path in moral and philosophical matters.



I think that'll do for now. What do you think of Smith's theory?

I think there's a lot of truth to it. It's like some here say, and I agree with, that atheists and theists aren't really different. We all see the same stuff, we just describe it differently, and maybe focus on different aspects of things. I really don't have much to add, except that I see a lot of good in this. I would disagree with a few minor things, but, overall, it's pretty good.

It seems to me that, in his view, a religion is something that just fits in with a person's personality, rather than shaping that person's personality. As in, it doesn't matter whether or not a certain person is Cathlic or Buddhist or atheist. No matter what, it's more because the religion fits them, rather than the other way around. For instance, if a person is "militant" about their theism, they'd probably be just as "militant" if they were an atheist, and probably hold most of the same views.

I haven't read the thread yet. I just wanted to reply fresh, so forgive me if any of this has been covered already.

[Storm]

For all those talking about the "grey", would you add other types, or are you just acknowledging the interaction between them?

[DallasApple]

Originally Posted by Quagmire

Part of my beliefs is that if you're trying figure out what catagory you belong in, you're thinking about yourself too much.

Seriously, I know about as much about what I believe as I do about God; that is to say all I ever get are hints and clues, and most of those surprise the hell out of me.

I also believe that if you talk to someone else long enough about what they believe, you'll find out they're in the same boat.

On the surface, most people don't have a problem telling you what catagory they fall into, but on a deeper level, people drift from one catagory to the other, probably from moment to moment, without even realizing it.


We're all hypocrites.

Good point!

Love

Dallas

[mball1297]

Originally Posted by Storm

For all those talking about the "grey", would you add other types, or are you just acknowledging the interaction between them?

I think it's more a matter of interaction between them. It's like primary colors. There are only three, but mix them together, and you get many different colors. Here, I think those are the basics, and anything else is a mix of them.

[DallasApple]

[quote=Storm;1224870]For all those talking about the "grey", would you add other types, or are you just acknowledging the interaction between them?[/quote.

I would add them...

Love

Dallas

[Storm]

Originally Posted by DallasApple

I would add them...

Love

Dallas

What would you add?

[Storm]

Originally Posted by mball1297

I think it's more a matter of interaction between them. It's like primary colors. There are only three, but mix them together, and you get many different colors. Here, I think those are the basics, and anything else is a mix of them.

I tend to agree with you.