Our planned lunch came off o.k., be it with an occasional resistance in the discussion. I am more for analysis of what Jefferson was aiming at with his cut up gospel, while Herman and Don are much impressed with Jefferson’s accomplishments, which were indeed considerable. But, he was one among many in his country and Canada has its own such founders of the nation.

But, credit where credit is due, the founders of the US were trailblazers in and of their time, while Canadians are often followers of that which proves beneficial.

But, credit where credit is due, the founders of the US were trailblazers in and of their time, while Canadians are often followers of that which proves beneficial. This is advisory for our nation, as its circumstances are more challenging and its resources less abundant.

Don and Herman have much closer connection with the US than I do. Over the close to fifty years of watching the US operate, I have my second thoughts about its intentions and its policy implementations. It can be generous, but also quite wilful in the dispending of it, to the point even of being more than just inconsiderate.

So much for my sentiments in this regard. Don left me with a fine article written in ‘Outlook’, the local community paper of Outlook, Saskatchewan. Titled “My Outlook”, S. Luedtke gently scans our news horizon ranging from the Olympics in Brazil to the Canada Day celebrations at home. Casting an appreciative eye over these human activities complete with an acceptance of our human foibles that come along with it them. An outlook painting a fine perspective, I would say. Thanks Don!

An outlook painting a fine perspective, I would say. Thanks Don!

Right now the Stampede parade is on the way, signalling the start of our well known ‘Calgary Stampede’, claiming to be the biggest outdoor show on earth. And it is a unique event made possible with corporate money, much volunteer effort from within this unique community and the participation of many of our one and a half million citizens. I have lived in Toronto and Ottawa, but Calgary’s community spirit and effort is unique and forceful.

Continuing with Concept Space.

Theology deploys five well known categories it has identified over its centuries of development. They are named: Cosmogony, Anthropogeny, Soteriology, Community and Eschatology. I have found that these categories have applicability to other fields as well, such as ideologies of various kinds which can be completely secular in nature. An example would be Dialectic Materialism, more commonly known as ‘Communism’.

I have found that these categories have applicability to other fields as well, such as ideologies of various kinds which can be completely secular in nature.

The five mentioned Theological categories I give more general names as follows: Existence, humanity origins, human guidance, society and expectations. By using these more ’secular’ names for the same category content, we are not in danger of offending people who hold traditional views and values within those categories.

For example theological cosmogony often is depicted as a creator creating the heavens, the earth and its creatures, where anthropogeny is out pictured as a creator forming the human being. These narratives I accept for what they are, respecting the way they function. But, I look at what science has discovered and suggests in its hypothesis then the creator as a personified force is no longer considered, However the process of origination is still very much of interest and studied far and wide.

We can view the origination of humanity in a similar manner, where we respect the heritage of the narrative, while also being informed by the findings of genetics, anthropology and archaeology so far today. Here to the process of origination called evolution is still subject of much interest and effort, even though the handed down narrative is no longer accepted as a causal explanation.

The idea of soteriology, meaning ‘salvation’ also points to a typical human concern. Not of origination like the two previous ones, but now about human purpose and conduct as a person. The idea of the saving way shower as we find that in many religions though honoured and respected is often replaced by notions of self improvement and secular idealisms of various kinds. All aimed at improving what has been found aiming at some state of greater personal awareness and often of material well being.

Similar records exist for many other cultures, including the Mayan of Meso-America.

Next is the consideration of community which is governed by laws that are received from on high in accordance with many a tradition. Hammurabi is a generally recognised early law giver in the ancient Mesopotamian culture and an example of early human coding of laws for the community. Similar records exist for many other cultures, including the Mayan of Meso-America. Here the notion that the law’s source of authority came from a higher power is the handed down tradition, besides which we have now many secular sources of authority, but authority never the less! Society needs structure if it is to function and be of benefit to its populations, curtailing the anarchy, mal justice and the rule of force.

So, we have these categories in our secular society in parallel to the ones discovered, identified and named by Theology, but now cloaked in a secular garb to give them more general applicability, while not pre-empting their function and validity for our human religious traditions.
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