The Single Most Important Thing For Mormons to Learn
I feel that the single most important thing a Mormon should learn is that the experience that he or she interprets as the Spirit confirming truth is not a reliable way to identify what is true. Or, just because you have felt what you call the Spirit it does not mean that there is no possibility of being wrong.
Now, why would I say this is the most important thing Mormons should learn. It has been my experience that Mormons will not consider policies or doctrines on their own merits if they believe the Spirit has spoken. The only thinking that can be done once the Spirit has spoken is in demonstrating how the policy or doctrine is true. Once one is uncertain about one's knowledge then one can begin to hear and consider evidence that runs counter to the Church's teachings and positions.
Mormons need to quit treating women as inferiors, promoting homophobia, arrogantly looking down on non-Mormons, stop trusting their leaders so much, etc. All of these things will not begin until they consider that current policies and doctrines might be wrong, and that will only happen once they realize the Spirit is not a reliable way to identify truth.
What are your thoughts?
Now, why would I say this is the most important thing Mormons should learn. It has been my experience that Mormons will not consider policies or doctrines on their own merits if they believe the Spirit has spoken. The only thinking that can be done once the Spirit has spoken is in demonstrating how the policy or doctrine is true. Once one is uncertain about one's knowledge then one can begin to hear and consider evidence that runs counter to the Church's teachings and positions.
Mormons need to quit treating women as inferiors, promoting homophobia, arrogantly looking down on non-Mormons, stop trusting their leaders so much, etc. All of these things will not begin until they consider that current policies and doctrines might be wrong, and that will only happen once they realize the Spirit is not a reliable way to identify truth.
What are your thoughts?
Comments
Assuming the TBM in question is like me or you, then yes, absolutely! If a person wishes to understand what is REAL, he or she must be willing to suspend their belief in order to get closer to reality.
But that's an invalid assumption most of the time, it seems. Most TBMs don't care to know what really happened, they care only to know what makes them feel happy. If happiness, not reality, is the goal, then I say let them keep their shields up.
I'm beginning to suspect that this divide between primary religious motivations is as significant as the "men are from mars, women are from venus" distinction. Without recognizing the fundamental differences, meaningful discussion between these two groups seems impossible.
I think that this latter form of thinking is free of regard for "reliability" and "validity."
my sainted Mormon mother used to say.
I do not know even now how ironic she was being. I think a bit, but not entirely.
First of all, I am a believer. Secondly, I totally consider the feeling of "the spirit" to be an emotional one. Third, I never discount reason. In fact, I can't recall a time I relied on feelings without reason. While I don't discount reason, I can't discount emotion either. To me they are of equal importance. Emotion and reason together have decided a lot of things in my life (mission, getting married, where I was going to school, etc.)
I agree, however, that emotion alone is not reliable. Reason alone (according to psychological research) is not enough for action.
I think that emotion and reason applied consistently over time produces good results.