[MD] New Model Army, Mystic(DQ) Experience, and Religion (SQ) as Power

[Ant McWatt]

Case said to Dave Buchanan:

>From a philosophical perspective I continue to maintain that the difference 
between mystics and theists doesn't add up to a bucket of warm spit.

As a reply Dave Buchanan quoted August 11th....

The Oxford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, under the heading "Mysticism":.

"Some mystical experience is overtly theistic, having an ostensible
reference to God, roughly as he is conceived in the theistic
religions. And it is dualistic, in the sense of retaining a
distinction between the mytsic and the God who is ostensibly
experienced. Saint Theresa of Avila, a Spanish Catholic of the 16th
century, is a good example of such a mystic. Other mystics, however,
even within the  Catholic tradition, tend towards monism,
emphasizing the unity of all things and the lack of real
distinctions, even between the mystic and the divine reality."

"Mysticism of the theistic, dualistic sort seems to generate no
particular difficulty for Christian metaphysics, and indeed often
includes specifically Christian elements, such as visions of Christ.
Strongly Monistic mysticism, however, is harder to square with a
Christian view, and when such mystics have themselves been Christans
they have often been suspected of heresy. This sort of mysticism is
likely to find a more comfortable religious home in the great
non-theistic religions."

And I should add that the belief in a "big daddy in the sky" or a
"bearded wrist slapper" does not define theism. Holding that belief
simply means you're a child - or an idiot.

Ant McWatt comments:

I suppose you could also add someone who has hypnotised by their cultural 
background or brainwashed by a religious sect (such as the Moonies or the 
Roman Catholic Church).  Mysticism (i.e. being an adult when dealing with 
DQ) requires that independence of mind you're unlikely - though not 
impossible - to find in a social context (i.e. being a member of an 
established "religion" invented by some one else).

Again, as I have said before, the Buddha points out that you are best 
"seeing for yourself" regarding DQ.  It really is an important point in 
understanding the MOQ.

Best wishes,

Anthony


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