Religion, Science, and Spirituality

our Religion, Science, and Spirituality page

To steer this topic away from narrow-minded dogmatism, consider this broad definition of spirituality:

"Spirituality is the domain at the intersection of what both our thinking heads and our feeling hearts tell us is fundamentally important.” Using the words of Manish Mishra-Marezetti and Jennifer Nordsrom, this appreciation of spirituality can be extended into the joining and doing realms. In their 2018 book Justice on Earth, they write, "In spiritual circles, it is sometimes said that the biggest step one can take is from one’s head to one’s heart. In a similar matter, when it comes to justice-making, the biggest and most important step may be moving from one’s head to embodied action."

Religion, Science and Spirituality in our latest offering:

The above quote, connecting spirituality with social justice, is from the new (in 2022) book

Choices We Make in the Global Village

Certainly the "Working for Change" theme is an important part of the worldviews of social justice activists. Given that over 60% of the world's people (to some extent) subscribe to two traditional religions, Christianity and Islam, given the great potential for good works these faiths can inspire, and sadly given all the violence and death associated with them, those concerned about changing the world for the better can't ignore traditional religious beliefs.

Accordingly chapter 4 in the Choices We Make in the Global Village book takes a hard look at "tweaking" these religions, before moving on to imagine a future "Globaledutopia" of global citizens. Here's a peak at its contents:

Chapter 4: Religion / Imagining Changes pages 118-166

Toward a Reality Check; Stories from My Own Experience; Religion—Using Words Carefully;
Imagining a Discovery and Q GAIA Conspiracy; Christian Salvation / Having Dominion Over View;
Christian Love / Stewardship Worldview; Imagining “Opening the Muslim Mind”;
Imagining More Change in Religious Landscapes;
Christians As Global Citizens?; Global Citizen Worldview

In setting the stage for its chapter 8, Choices We Make in the Global Village quotes Carl Sagan :

“A religion that stressed the magnificence of the universe as revealed by modern science might be able to draw forth reserves of reverence and awe hardly tapped by traditional faiths." This book, while respecting cultural heritages and diversity, can promote the growth of such a futuristic religion out of today’s earth centered spirituality by helping its enthusiasts—or disgruntled refugees from mainstream religions— gain new understanding and make new connections.

Chapter 8: Skepticism and Reverence pages 325-371

Introduction; Four Skeptical Looks; Skyhooks; Sacred Ground;
Four Dispatches in the Battle to Find Meaning in Life;
The Ending of this Book—Three Alternatives

Appendix B “Love in a Time of Global Crisis” church service / songs pages 398-408

note: the author's physics background (M.S. Physics UCLA), wilderness advocate /
environmental activist credentials (Sierra Club group leader, etc) inform these pages.
One reviewer of his earlier (1990) book, Coming of Age in the Global Village said:
"Much of the book shows a deep and open-minded concern for spiritual matters..."

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questions for seekers:

Life's Big Questions: Click here for Fifty such Questions.
This can be a good introduction to worldview development, characterization, and analysis purposes.
Note: the webpage linked to above is based on our older worldview theme structure (version 2.0 and 3.0).
What follows is based on the newer (version 5.0) structure.

How much does your worldview correlate with each of those below? Find out with this analysis program.

CHRISTIAN** LOVE / STEWARDSHIP
CHRISTIAN** SALVATION / HAVING DOMINION OVER
NEW AGE SPIRITUALITY / MYSTICISM
EARTH-CENTERED SPIRITUALITY / PAGAN ANARCHISM

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Religion, Science and Spirituality related Worldview Watch blog issues

issue #63, posted 4/12/2020 The Faith-Based Challenge to Corona Virus Response

issue #59, posted 1/17/2019 How Belief in Evolution can Aid Monotheists and Win Sympathy for Climate Deniers

issue #47 posted Dec 2015 Paris, France and How Big and Majestic is Your Conception of God?

issue #39, posted 7/20/2014 Catholic Women Priests: More Jesus, Less Hierarchy

issue #31, posted 3/26/2013 God, Science, Faith

issue #27, posted 10/26/2012 Critical Thinking, Prayer, and the Free Inquiry Path to a Worldview

issue #26: posted 9/30/2012 Worldviews, Blasphemy, and Bumper Stickers

issue #20, posted 8/14/2011 Prayer, Reason, and Drought in Texas

issue #14, posted 12/16/2010 Science and Theology: "The Humble Approach"

issue #10, posted 7/4/2010 Technology, Disasters, and Moralistic Apocalypticism

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"As you shop in "The Reality Marketplace" avoid spending your "reality cash" too early, before you have seen everything. "
from Coming of Age in the Global Village, by Stephen P. Cook, with Donella H. Meadows.