Friday, March 1, 2013

153: THE TRANSITION... MOVING TO THE NEXT STAGE


Today is 3.1.13.

I’ve been working on this post for a few days and thought today would be a good day to post this. I think it is important for many reasons. I took the above photograph because I think it is highly symbolic. You can see two hands, a younger looking hand on the left, and a more adult hand on the right. The young hand can either be interpreted as letting go of the rod, or actually reaching up and trying to grab it. I think it represents both.  The rod then seems to vanish and then is replaced by an actual hand which is parting the veil. I use this photo to hopefully illustrate a few stages in the progression of faith. These stages are based off of James Fowler’s book, Stages of Faith written in 1981. While some might already be aware of his research, I think it might be useful to a few that might understand more fully what is currently happening in masses within the LDS Church, as well as other religions. The Lord is hastening his work and it is beautiful to witness and be a small part in what is happening.

The following is a brief synopsis of each stage we go through in our development of Faith. Stages 3, 4, 5 are the most important to understand  for us at this time. I have taken some liberty in expressing some variations to Fowler’s work, but the main concepts remains the same.

Stage 1: Primal Faith: (birth to child):

In this first stage, we develop basic faith and trust in those we love, primarily our parents who provide our basic needs for life. For example, if I cry, Mom will feed me or pick me up. Simple concepts of good and bad are taught. We learn that obeying the “rules” is important because it means avoiding punishment. Rules are seen as being fixed and absolute. It is in this stage that we learn the most basic ideas about love and God.

Stage 2: Child-like Faith: (child to teenager):

Faith increases outside of the family structure. We continue to accept the ideas about God in very literal ways. God lives up in the sky with the angels. He is our Heavenly Father. We are his children. The Devil lives in Hell and he tempts us to do evil. Decisions are made based on the principle of "What's in it for me?" Obeying the rules is important because we receive rewards. "If I follow the rules, God will give me a good life." "If I pray, God will grant my wish." In this stage, we begin to sort out the “real” from the “make-believe.”

Stage 3: Institutional Faith: (teenager to adult)

At this stage we rely on a religious institution to give us stability and to give us answers to our questions about things we don’t understand. If those in authority say it is so, it must be true. We tend to have a hard time seeing outside our “box”. The authority of the leaders is emphasized to the individuals or groups that represent one's beliefs.. We become attached to the forms of our religion and get extremely upset when these are called into question. This is the stage in which many people never move beyond it. This stage can also be called "Conventional/Group Faith", meaning that most people in this stage see themselves as believing what "everybody else" believes and would be reluctant to stop believing it because of the need they feel to stay connected with their group. Here authority is located outside the self - in the church leaders, in the government, in the social group.

In this stage, the church is like a wise and protective parent; we trust it implicitly

Most of the people in traditional churches are at this stage. Religious institutions "work best" if the majority of their congregation is in Stage 3 and the institutions discourage people from questioning since it threatens the viability of the institution if people start questioning!)

When a person cognitively realizes that there are contradictions between some of his authority sources and is ready to actually reflect realistically on them, he begins to be ready to move to the Fourth Stage.

Stage 4 – Skeptical Faith (questioning adult):

In this stage, we begin questioning what we took for granted in Stage 3; most experience negative emotion toward Stage 3 experiences. This is the tough stage, when people start seeing outside the box and realizing that there are other "boxes". They begin to critically examine their beliefs on their own and often become disillusioned with their former faith. Ironically, the Stage 3 people usually think that Stage 4 people have become "apostate" when in reality they have actually moved forward. Those who break out of the previous stage usually do so when they start seriously questioning things on their own. A lot of the time, this stage ends up being very non-religious and some people stay in it permanently. Religious groups are always trying to discourage people from making this step.

In this Stage, the church is like a parent whose flaws and mistakes are exposed at their worst

Stage 5 – Mystical Faith: (maturing adult):

It is in this stage that acceptance or reconciliation is reached. It is coming to terms with what we learned in Stage 4 and transcending above it. They start to accept the paradoxes in life. They begin to see life as a mystery and often return to sacred stories and symbols but this time without being stuck in a theological box. People at this stage sometimes disobey what were previous rules in stage 3, if they find them to be inconsistent with their paradigm shift. They have experienced connection with heaven, and have been comforted from the pain they experienced in Stage 4. Most people in stage 3 do not like people in stage 5. Stage 3 perceive Stage 5 people to be off the mark, misguided, unruly, and apostate.

In this stage, the church is like a sweet grandparent that sometimes says wise things, sometimes funny or antiquated things, but is a benevolent forebear, and we excuse their shortcomings and failures.

Stage 6 –Transcendental Faith: (selfless adult):

It is in this stage that we gain complete internal peace and wisdom, becoming a whole person with spiritual power and insight. Those who do live their lives to the full in service of others without any real worries or doubts. Few people operate at this stage all the time. It is the ability to put oneself in other people's shoes, and actually become a mediator for them. At this stage, people have a principled conscience and will follow universal ethical principles regardless of what the official laws and rules are.

Stage 7: Completed Faith: (graduated adult):

I have added this additional stage. (mainly because I like the number 7 as the number for completion.) This is just my opinion, but I feel in this stage, the person is willing to and sometimes even are required to die, becoming a martyr for the cause.


In closing:

I wanted to post the above photograph and label it to what I see as a great illustration of the Stages 3, Stage 4, and Stage 5 look like. I know that most of the posts on this blog have been to leading Stage 3 people into Stage 4. I have learned that leaving stage 3 before the person is ready can be damaging. It actually can do more damage than good. Each stage is very important to go through. The journey should be individual and on their own terms. Focusing on pointing and helping the stage 4 people into Stage 5 should be a work that all of us should be engaged in, if not only personally, but also in helping others.
  



13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this; it is very wise and well done and requires more time to re-read.

Jill Jones said...

Thank you. This post was very lovely.

R. said...

Nice post my friend!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for that great post. I found myself contemplating where I am at on this progression. I do know I have been through Stage 4, not a fun one. Its hard seeing all the faults and coming to peace with them, but I did. I feel more secure now in that I do not have to fight and defend every fault I see in the Church. Its still not pleasant when I see others being hurt by the confusion that is at church, but I trust they too can and will find their way along the path.
That is one of the comforting thoughts and lessons I have learned lately, the ability to let others go at their own pace, and allow them their experience and their progression.
Lehi's Vision comes to my mind, we all have to walk it in order to get to the Tree of Life, and to partake of the fruit (The Love of God).

Thanks again for your insights, I miss seeing all my good friends in Utah, but I am glad we are learning where we are at.

B

Anonymous said...

well, we just made a major transition.

Michael said...

What a great post! I can say that I'm pretty safely in Stage 4 at this point in my life, and my questioning really started over the tithing / City Creek nexus. I have thought about atheism / agnosticism and can't really make that work, but I don't view the LDS Church as a all knowing and all saving institution any more.

I do think the LDS Church has good to offer, which I why I stay, but I tend to be much more skeptical of claims made and/or blessings promised.

Love the blog - keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

I'm just coming into stage 5 and what a painful journey it has been! I'm curious what you think some of stage 3 rules are that are commonly disobeyed in stage 5? I've actually pondered that somewhat as I break free of the cultural barriers associated with my faith.

BARE RECORD OF TRUTH said...

Few thoughts:

How to partake of the Sacrament and what we actually covenant
Using the Power of Priesthood
Rebaptism
Mighty Prayer not with folded arms and bowed head
Word of Wisdom
Tithing

Anonymous said...

I have contemplated all of those. I have changed the way I pray now, not with folded arms (sign of obeisance used by Satan worshippers) but with outstretched, cupped hands, ready to receive what the Lord desires to give me. I also start those prayers in the same way Adam did when he was at the altar after being cast out of the Garden.

I have also wanted to find someone to perform a rebaptism, but that could land a person in very hot water if discovered.

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John and Jennifer said...

Love this awesome insight

AlbertaBeef said...

This is a wonderful post, and very astute. My cousin emailed me the link to this post a few weeks ago. I was so impressed that I went back and read all of your posts from the beginning. I started stage four about four months ago, and got angry. The more I read, the more I realized that I had been deceived. I started to read more and more. I really started to dig into the scriptures, and out of other of 'the best books'.

As instructor in elders quorum, I found myself to be in a dilemma. I could not in good conscience teach the lesson in the way that the manual wants it taught. I have been getting in trouble lately for not following closely enough to the lesson. The last time I was talked to, they asked me why I would not stick to the lesson. I told them that I didn't believe what I was teaching, and that I would not teach false doctrine. I have had someone from the stake sitting in on my lessons for the past four lessons.
I consider the Teachings of the Presidents of the Church to be precepts of men, mingled with scripture. I am now following an outline of the lesson, but expounding on certain sections, explaining how it all is to lead directly to Christ. I believe that I am getting to many of them, some for good, some are rejecting it. Instead of unity, we are getting divided.

I wonder how long it will take to be summoned into an interview with the Bishop or Stake pres.

Anonymous said...

love this! So much truth to the stages of progression!