REL 137g 1st Edition Lecture 15 Current LectureSufismTheology to apprehend the nature of GodLaw to determine what to do and what not to doSufism is simply another articulation of Islam, like law or theologyEach are distinct but are not mutually exclusiveSufismSomeone who practices is called a ‘sufi’It is an orientation, not a distinct sect A sufi can be a rationalist or a traditionalist, a Sunni or a ShiiteCan have strong philosophical beliefs or can be anti-falsafahCan be a part of any of the schools of law or theologyAs an orientationSeeks to prioritize certain values and concerns as being essential and primary to any meaningful religious commitment With those values come certain practices that seek to institutionalize these values so that they can be passed on to posterity Sees experience and pre-rational, subjective knowledge as both superior to and more valuable than rational knowledge The essence of religion is more effectively engaged and apprehended by experiential knowledge as opposed to merely rational or conceptual knowledge Example: you must do the thing that scares you shitless and then you get the courage. It is only through experience that you get courageAn actual experience of God is superior to any rational or conceptual knowledge That kind of knowledge is limited Sufis are not anti-reasonIt’s just that to use reason to measure everything with God has its faults It can be treacherousIt can be turned against us, make things seem okay that are actually not good Reason comes from motives and desires which can be bad It can limit or restrict religious imagination2 distinct but overlapping tendenciesMysticismMetaphysical embrace of GodControversial because it can lead to pantheismThe boundary between the creator and creation is blurredAll is God. It is possible to become one with GodSpiritual refinement/disciplineCivilizational mixing contributed to the institutionalization of Sufism More of a transliteration than a translation Sufi means ‘woolen cloak’Because the early practioners wore coarse woolen cloaks as a way to renounce material objects and egoA symbol that one had entered upon this pathA carry over from the Christian
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