the group, but also to train and assist disciples in the mastery of Sufism’s philosophical principles and ritual practices so that they could then pass them on to the next generation (BBC, 2009). The Qur’anic origins of Sufism like perfection and immanence are connected to two magnitudes and they were seen by Sufis. First is Zahir which is the outer form and is the outward meaning of the Qur’an. The second is batin which is the inner form and is the unseen meaning of the Qur’an. Sufism…
Is action free or determined, Spinoza argues that it is determined but there is a freedom of will in the doctrine of the conatus. This view rests on three metaphysical positions that Spinoza advocates for, namely immanent necessitarianism, reductive naturalism and monism. All that exists and has is and will happen is immanent and inevitably going to happen. This he argues is because nature is constructed by a free uncaused cause (that which has no external constraint). This uncaused cause…
America constantly seeks to be the global leader in every field on Earth, and following the Mercury and Apollo space programs it is was clear that America was at the forefront of that which was outside of Earth as well. Apart from more prestige and scientific knowledge through America’s triumph in the space race, a deeper connection between the individual and the grandeur of the cosmos become evident. Astronauts and spectators of the Mercury and Apollo missions gained a new perspective of their…
INTRODUCTION This book initially began as a commentary on my Facebook page, entitled, “Do Animals Go to Heaven?” It was the product of a question asked of me by our church youth. Several within the adult congregation disagreed with me. However I presented scripture as well as sound teachings. When I asked what their scriptural denial to my stance was, the reply I received was, “It’s in there somewhere,” referring to the Bible. Their incorrectly held beliefs were based on personal “feelings” and…