tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617569.post507823428101307473..comments2024-03-27T02:13:58.088-07:00Comments on Integral Options Cafe: Huston Smith - Why Religion Matters (1)william harrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06981478282688361274noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617569.post-28968131577671753732007-12-12T08:17:00.000-07:002007-12-12T08:17:00.000-07:00good point. i think Huston Smith is coming from a ...good point. i think Huston Smith is coming from a top-down integration approach (i.e. comparative religion) while Dowd is coming from a bottom-up integration approach by providing a healthier translation (e.g. evolutionary theology) for Christians. <BR/><BR/>both have their value. <BR/><BR/>personally, i prefer the comparative religion and a more secular integral philosophy approach. however, as far as getting people to buy into evolutionary spirituality, imho, i think Dowd's approach is more promising than Smith's because Dowd meets people where they're at. Dowd's style is going to be more effective on places like the Bible belt, because he speaks in Christian tongue.<BR/><BR/>~C~C4Chaoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07601612401064354166noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617569.post-57723366656847755022007-12-11T09:58:00.000-07:002007-12-11T09:58:00.000-07:00Thanks ~C,I'll read Dowd's post, and I've added hi...Thanks ~C,<BR/><BR/>I'll read Dowd's post, and I've added his book to my wish list.<BR/><BR/>One of Smith's earlier books, <I><A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Truth-Common-Vision-Religions/dp/0062507877/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1197392148&sr=1-1" REL="nofollow">The Forgotten Truth</A></I>, took a Great Chain of Being approach to religions, and even Wilber referenced him at times. So I had higher hopes for this one.<BR/><BR/>I'm sure I'll have thoughts to add as I go along -- but my sense is that this book is aimed at those not familiar with comparative religions.<BR/><BR/>Peace,<BR/>Billwilliam harrymanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06981478282688361274noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617569.post-46307821716706847582007-12-11T03:17:00.000-07:002007-12-11T03:17:00.000-07:00Bill,excellent review. i haven't read the book but...Bill,<BR/><BR/>excellent review. i haven't read the book but based on the quotes you commented on, i think your analysis is spot on. <BR/><BR/>having said that, i think Michael Dowd's approach is more "integral" even if he focuses on the Christian tradition (as opposed to secularism). i haven't read Dowd's book yet but i've read his interviews and his Evolutionary Christianity essay. check out his blog post:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://evolutionarychristianity.theooze.com/2007/12/06/evolutionary-evangelicalism/" REL="nofollow">http://evolutionarychristianity.theooze.com/2007/12/06/evolutionary-evangelicalism/</A><BR/><BR/><BR/>so that's where i'm basing my initial opinion :)<BR/><BR/>~C~C4Chaoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07601612401064354166noreply@blogger.com