This is http://www.essayz.com/b0308091.htm         
Previous-Essay      <== This-Essay ==>     Following-Essay
Click HERE on this line to find essays via Your-Key-Words.
{Most frequent wordstarts of each essay will be put here.}
==========================================================
%PROPER BOUNDS RELIGIOUS AFFIRMATIONS ABSTRACT GOOD 030809
   %REAL HUMANE EXPERIENCES RELATIONSHIPS NEIGHBORS 030809
    %GOD HEAVEN WITHIN LITERAL TIME SPACE CONTINUUM 030809
%NATURAL CONSEQUENCES DESCRIPTIONS STATIC UNCHANGED 030809
%PRESCRIPTIONS PROSCRIPTIONS COMMANDMENTS LAWS GODS 030809
%ORDERS CHAOS NONCONFORMITY DISOBEDIENCE DISLOYALTY 030809

     What are the proper bounds of religious affirmations?
Different religious leaders will of course, give different
answers to such a question.   So long as the discussion is
purely  abstract/academic ---   few  serious  difficulties
flow   from  different  responses  to  such  a   question.
However,  if the discussion is one which involves powerful
and domineering  people ---  many serious consequences may
flow  from  different and often contentious  responses  to
such a question.  The  responses  may include responses of
the following mixed kinds:

     1.  Explicit descriptions of where God and His Heaven
exist; e.g.,  above the sky.

     2.  Explicit descriptions of the nature of God  known
with  absolute  certainty;  e.g.,   eternal,   unchanging,
omniscient, omnipotent, holy, . . .

     3.  Prescriptions of what different roles men,  women
and children should play on the stage of life;  e.g.,  men
dominant, and women and children obedient.

     4.  Prohibitions  which  describe  what  actions  are
forbidden for men,  women and children; e.g.,  questioning
the relevance or literal accuracy of holy scriptures.

     5.  Doctrinal statements prescribing what men,  women
and children should believe,  confess, affirm, and revere;
e.g., what holy scriptures say is the unchanging nature of
things and of God.

     6.  Descriptions  of  rituals which mean,  women  and
children should perform; when, where, how, how frequently,
etc.

     7.  Descriptions  indicating how the world came  into
being and how it will cease to exist.

     8.  Descriptions  of how all kinds of living  beings,
including humans, came into being; and how they will cease
to exist.

     9.  Statements about the meaning of existence,  life,
suffering, diseases, pleasures, pains, death, etc.

     10.  Statements about why salvation is necessary, how
it may be achieved and/or how it may be enjoyed.

     11.  Statements    about   why   salvation   is   NOT
necessary,   why   it cannot be achieved  and/or  when  it
cannot be enjoyed.

     12.  Statements   about   the  natures   of   heaven,
purgatory, hell, reincarnation, etc.

     13.  Statements about who may, and may not,  exercise
religious power  in  religious leadership positions within
religious institutions --- and why.

                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
==========================================================