What is Transcendentalism?

[GenMarshall]

More specifically, American Transcendentalism. Just today, there was a talk in American Lit Class about Transcendentalism and I am curious to learn more in detail and how can I reconcile this philosophy with my own Catholic-Shinto belief?

Thanks

 

[Trajan12]

philosophy a system of philosophy, especially that of Kant, that regards the processes of reasoning as the key to knowledge of reality;philosophy a system of philosophy, especially that associated with Ralph Waldo Emerson and other New England writers, that emphasizes intuition or the divine; I love IE! BTW I hope you have calmed down and are feeling better. Some of that stuff you were saying was scaring me.

 

[Perfection]

The abandonment of reason.

 

[Chieftess]

More specifically, American Transcendentalism. Just today, there was a talk in American Lit Class about Transcendentalism and I am curious to learn more in detail and how can I reconcile this philosophy with my own Catholic-Shinto belief?

Thanks

You can't.

First, there's no such thing as "Catholic-Shinto". Even if there were a merger of Catholic and Shintoist beliefs, that would be a heresy.

Second, from what I've read, it appears to be a protestant belief - possibly Mormonism. It is not compatible with Catholicism.


Remember, CG - Catholicism isn't a "pick and choose" religion. It's not a cafeteria where you can pick what you want to eat.

 

[puglover]

IIRC, it was an old 19th-century belief that shedding the material world in favor of "spirit" was the key to enlightened life. It was one of those superficial "just believe" faiths, and is nothing more than mysticism. Look up Ralph Waldo Emerson if you want to learn more.

I wouldn't try "reconciling" it to your beliefs, as transcendentalism is as silly as Scientology.

 

[GenMarshall]

BTW I hope you have calmed down and are feeling better. Some of that stuff you were saying was scaring me.

I do apologize for that, I am just confused on how to be a good and correct Christian Catholic. I just wonder in detail on what this philosophy is in detail(I like to see things in detail to get a clear picture) and wonder how I can reconcile that with my own beliefs (Catholic-Shinto) while adopting a new philosophy.

 

[Xanikk999]

Damn dont end up like that other catholic that posted here and got banned. He was a real nutcase.

 

[Tycoon101]

Damn dont end up like that other catholic that posted here and got banned. He was a real nutcase.

Inqvisitor? He was a traditionalist Catholic, CivGeneral seems to be a more New-Agey Catholic.


But do what is right in your heart, young grasshoppah.

 

[warpus]

You can't.

First, there's no such thing as "Catholic-Shinto". Even if there were a merger of Catholic and Shintoist beliefs, that would be a heresy.

Second, from what I've read, it appears to be a protestant belief - possibly Mormonism. It is not compatible with Catholicism.


Remember, CG - Catholicism isn't a "pick and choose" religion. It's not a cafeteria where you can pick what you want to eat.

Well, he'd be free to break away from the Catholic church and start his own, calling it "Catholic-Shinto" right?

 

[Chieftess]

I do apologize for that, I am just confused on how to be a good and correct Christian Catholic. I just wonder in detail on what this philosophy is in detail(I like to see things in detail to get a clear picture) and wonder how I can reconcile that with my own beliefs (Catholic-Shinto) while adopting a new philosophy.

Define your Shinto beliefs, and tell me, how is it in line with the Catholic Church?

On Transcendal-whatchamacallit:

From the Internet -

Answer by Richard Geraghty on 10-10-2003:
Dear Adam,
There are many types. The type that the poster was referring to in regard to her son was in New England where men like Emerson and Thoreau were breaking away from the dogmas of Protestantism to a very general religious sense which has a very vague notion of God as some kind of World Spirit.

Answer by Richard Geraghty on 03-19-2003:
Dear Gina,
If you go to www.google.com and plug in something like a Catholic view of transcendentalism, you will get some helpful information.

Dr. Geraghty

Basically, it's even a heretical philosophy of Protestantism.
A few links from Google...
American Heretic (yes, that's the title of the article - don't shoot the messanger)
Naturism


Basically, it's dangerous philosophy.

 

[GoodEnoughForMe]

Transcendentalism sucks majorly, so does Emerson.

 

[GoodEnoughForMe]

These database errors are pissing me off.

 

[GenMarshall]

First, there's no such thing as "Catholic-Shinto". Even if there were a merger of Catholic and Shintoist beliefs, that would be a heresy.

I only adopted the four Afirmations of Shintoism as well as the use of the Kamidana (I use it as a minature version of the Eastern Orthodox prayer/God corner) but thats another thread and should continue with the original topic and best to drop that topic and nip it in the bud.

Second, from what I've read, it appears to be a protestant belief - possibly Mormonism. It is not compatible with Catholicism.

Wait, I thought it was a philosophy. Since my American Lit professor did not made any mentions that it was Protestant.

Remember, CG - Catholicism isn't a "pick and choose" religion. It's not a cafeteria where you can pick what you want to eat.

I dont know how I can reconcile with that, especialy when trying to be tolerant towards other people who are different from me, especially within sexual orientation.

 

[Tycoon101]

Transcendentalism sucks majorly, so does Emerson.

So do double posts.

But I agree with Chieftess, CivGeneral. You should post your beliefs, and see how they fit together in the long run.


Also the obligatory Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transcendentalism

 

[puglover]

Wait, I thought it was a philosophy. Since my American Lit professor did not made any mentions that it was Protestant.

It's based more on Unitarianism than it is on Protestantism, which means it isn't really Christian at all.

 

[Oruc]

Inqvisitor? He was a traditionalist Catholic, CivGeneral seems to be a more New-Agey Catholic.


But do what is right in your heart, young grasshoppah.

He got banned? I liked that guy.... Was fearlessleader banned too?

 

[Perfection]

He got banned?

Yes.

I liked that guy....

Me too.

Was fearlessleader banned too?

No, he left.

 

[GenMarshall]

Well, he'd be free to break away from the Catholic church and start his own, calling it "Catholic-Shinto" right?

No, It would be more Shinto Christianity, or something of that nature.

Define your Shinto beliefs, and tell me, how is it in line with the Catholic Church?

I have modified it a bit to be in line with Catholicism.

Four affirmations
1 Tradition and the family: The family is seen as the main mechanism by which traditions are preserved. Their main celebrations relate to birth and marriage.
2. Love of nature: Nature is sacred; to be in contact with nature is to be close to the Holy Spirit.
3. Physical cleanliness: Followers of Shinto take baths, wash their hands, and rinse out their mouth often.
4. "Matsuri": Any festival dedicated to the God, of which there are many each year. Equivelent to what a Holy Day of Obligation.

 

[Chieftess]

I only adopted the four Afirmations of Shintoism as well as the use of the Kamidana (I use it as a minature version of the Eastern Orthodox prayer/God corner) but thats another thread and should continue with the original topic and best to drop that topic and nip it in the bud.

1. Tradition and the Family.

family is the main mechanism by which traditions are preserved
celebrated mainly through weddings and births

Not sure of the context here, but traditions are carried through the Church.

2. Love of Nature

nature is sacred
to be in contact with nature is to be in contact with the gods

So, you worship the trees, the birds, the oceans? That's polytheism, CG.

3. Physical Cleanliness

The most common form of purification is ablution (Misogi) where followers of Shintoism take baths, wash their hands and rinse out their mouths before worshiping in a shrine

You should be more concerned about your spiritual cleanliness. Go to confession, take Holy Communion, do good works, etc.

4. Matsuri

the worship and honor given to the Kami and ancestral spirits
Kami are spirits found in every living creature, natural object, or deceased spirit which while not entirely similar, might be compared to the western idea of the soul
Izanagi (male) and Izanami (female) are the two kami from which all else was made, however the closest thing to a 'central' spirit found in shintoism is Amaterasu the female Sun kami.

Careful on the keyboard, CG! I think it's your great-great-grandpa!

Sarcasm aside, this is polytheism. It's even Native American polytheism. It's "New Age" belief. Get away from it as fast as you can!


Wait, I thought it was a philosophy. Since my American Lit professor did not made any mentions that it was Protestant.[/quote]

Because colleges are secular.

I dont know how I can reconcile with that, especialy when trying to be tolerant towards other people who are different from me, especially within sexual orientation.

It may be hard, and he may not even accept it, but atleast you forgave him. If he refuses to forgive you for any reason, then that'll be his problem.

 

[Tycoon101]

So, you worship the trees, the birds, the oceans? That's polytheism, CG.

So you pray to the Saints, and Mary Mother of Jesus? That's polytheism, CT.






J/K

(Yes, I do know that the don't worship saints, I just wanted to make the obvious joke.)