the tillich quote about not putting humanity at the center isn't in context, but my thought when i read it was that i actually do make humankind my ultimate concern, but i don't see that as being inconsistent with making god my ultimate concern because human beings are the primary medium through which i relate to the divine.
As far as I understand things, having God in the center results in greater love and service (or, in Swedenborgian terms, "uses") to humanity.
Tillich would also say (I think) that even an atheist who was motivated by his or her affirmation of "the transcendentals" to acts of justice, truth, compassion, beauty, etc., was acting from an appropriate orientation.
The basic question is this: is a person acting "for humanity" because s/he is motivated by love for others and a dedication to something greater than self, or is this person motivated by self-centered interest in their own salvation, or for the honor it will bring them in the eyes of society? That's the crux. Is the energy flowing outward, in love, or inward, incurvatus se?
no subject
As far as I understand things, having God in the center results in greater love and service (or, in Swedenborgian terms, "uses") to humanity.
Tillich would also say (I think) that even an atheist who was motivated by his or her affirmation of "the transcendentals" to acts of justice, truth, compassion, beauty, etc., was acting from an appropriate orientation.
The basic question is this: is a person acting "for humanity" because s/he is motivated by love for others and a dedication to something greater than self, or is this person motivated by self-centered interest in their own salvation, or for the honor it will bring them in the eyes of society? That's the crux. Is the energy flowing outward, in love, or inward, incurvatus se?