Thursday, September 15, 2011

Universalizing stage


Stage 6 – Universalizing Faith

The final of James Fowler's Stages - Universalizing Faith, is reached only by the very, very few.
Examples of the very few who has been known, to have reached the faith is Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Mother Teresa.

Gandhi: Leader of Indian independence.
Martin Luther King, Jr.: The civil rights hero.
Mother Teresa: Humanitarian nun of Calcutta.


The 4 fundamental principles of Universalizing Faith:

1. Steadfast and loyal devotion to doing the will of God, as it is best understood.

2. Living a life of service -- to both friends and enemies.

3. Non-resistance to evil.

4. Living out, through faith, the highest interpretation of the Golden Rule -             - learning to love one another as Jesus loved us.

With all of that said, the people of Universalizing Faith are people who are able to overcome the action/inaction paradox of stage 5. They are people who are willing to sacrifice their own well being, to put other peoples needs as a first priority.  


New Words:

Universalize: To make universal; to generalize.

Faith:
1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. See Synonyms at belief, trust.
3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one's supporters.
4. Often Faith Christianity The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will.
5. The body of dogma of a religion: the Muslim faith.
6. A set of principles or beliefs.

Steadfast: Firmly loyal, constant; unswerving.

De-centration: When you focus on others instead of yourself.