Tuesday, May 29, 2007

God and Religious Experience: Misrepresentation Allowed?

Mormons like myself may have to consider a broader understanding of religious experience. Consider: if God revealed the doctrine of heaven and hell, even in its Book of Mormon form, and then revealed the degrees of glory concept, is it possible that God could misrepresent reality to teach certain principles? In this case, to teach people that we are responsible for our actions and they will influence our state in the next life. However, if this is the case... is it therefore possible that God has "misrepresented" or "reduced" reality to several different religions and faiths to teach incomplete principles? Could many mystics religious experience be from God/Gods? Just curious. Some could say no, and claim heaven and hell was just some theological idea prophets came up with to justify how God could be righteous and reward the good and punish the wicked. Others may say heaven and hell was always understood to be spirit prison and paradise (I beg to differ). Nevertheless, this pushes us to consider the broader spectrum of God's communications with man. Furthermore, it may be true that certain doctrines are yet "misrepresented" to teach principles. Thoughts?

1 comment:

Martin Pulido said...

And then which religions are apostate like that of Baal, and which are just less informed and "true"? Weird.