HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_013668.jpg
1.25 MB
Extraction Summary
4
People
2
Organizations
0
Locations
0
Events
2
Relationships
3
Quotes
Document Information
Type:
Book manuscript / chapter draft
File Size:
1.25 MB
Summary
This document appears to be page 168 of a manuscript, specifically 'Chapter 8: Faith and Rationality.' The text is a philosophical reflection by an unnamed first-person narrator contrasting the 'mystical high' of religious experience (referencing Martin Buber, Sufism, and Pentecostalism) with the social utility of religious attendance. It discusses concepts such as 'Tzedakah' and 'altruism' (referencing E.O. Wilson). The document bears the Bates stamp HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_013668, indicating it was part of a document production for the House Oversight Committee.
People (4)
| Name | Role | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Martin Buber | Philosopher |
Mentioned regarding his concept of the 'I-Thou encounter'.
|
| E.O. Wilson | Biologist/Author |
Mentioned regarding his theories on the 'biology of altruism'.
|
| William James | Philosopher/Psychologist |
Implied by the reference to 'Jamesian brands of ecstatic transcendence'.
|
| Author | Narrator |
Unnamed first-person narrator ('It was my belief...', 'I have had...') reflecting on faith and rationality.
|
Organizations (2)
| Name | Type | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Unitarian Universalist |
Mentioned in the context of serving the needy.
|
|
| House Oversight Committee |
Implied by the Bates stamp 'HOUSE_OVERSIGHT'.
|
Relationships (2)
Author references Buber's 'I-Thou encounter'.
Author considers Wilson's biology of altruism.
Key Quotes (3)
"Attending synagogue or church without the promise of a mystical high seemed like a superstitious rabbit foot rubbing for personal health and safety and a sharing of propitious contacts for social and economic advantage."Source
HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_013668.jpg
Quote #1
"I have had the good feel of what Jews call Tzedakah, the sharing of supplies by the haves for the betterment of the have nots."Source
HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_013668.jpg
Quote #2
"Considering E.O. Wilson’s brand of brain herd biology of altruism gives me a warm feeling about the potentially intrinsic goodness of man."Source
HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_013668.jpg
Quote #3
Full Extracted Text
Complete text extracted from the document (1,432 characters)
CHAPTER 8:
FAITH AND RATIONALITY
It was my belief that, without subjective evidence of Holy Spirit Energy, the rush of reconfiguring transcendent experience, some glimmering of grace no matter how fleeting, an experience of intoxication with God, Martin Buber’s self authenticating I-Thou encounter, the many good citizens of this world, without these moments of illumination, must be attending church or temple to negotiate a better now and hereafter. Attending synagogue or church without the promise of a mystical high seemed like a superstitious rabbit foot rubbing for personal health and safety and a sharing of propitious contacts for social and economic advantage. Why else?
I have had the good feel of what Jews call Tzedakah, the sharing of supplies by the haves for the betterment of the have nots. I have known the quiet calm of human right action as in the Unitarian Universalist’s serving the needy, open and flexible, intimate mindfulness of others and their needs. Considering E.O. Wilson’s brand of brain herd biology of altruism gives me a warm feeling about the potentially intrinsic goodness of man. But compared with the Jamesian brands of ecstatic transcendence, minds blown in Sufi twirling, Orthodox Jewish chanting, rocking and dancing, hands-in-the-air praying and hands-on-the-head healings of Wednesday night Pentecostal services, the soberly serious social engagement and
168
HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_013668
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