Multiple intelligences and spirituality?

Question

I just had a thought. I remember being quite impressed by the book "Seven Kinds of Smart" about ten years ago. It's about how there are different kinds of intelligence, and how they should all be developed, but most schools (and work situations) ignore most kinds of intelligence. You can get a quick read about the theory of multiple intelligences here:

http://www.thomasarmstrong.com/multiple_intelligences.htm

I'm just wondering, could it be, perhaps, that our differently gifted brains will perceive religion and spiritual experiences much differently? That different experiences and ideas will reach us? That we have different needs because of our different kinds of smart and the many combinations that result?

I know that Pagan religious observances reach and develop my bodily-kinesthetic (movement), musical, and naturalist intelligences in ways that my everyday life just won't.

What do you think?

It's eight kinds of smart now:

Linguistic intelligence ("word smart"):
Logical-mathematical intelligence ("number/reasoning smart")
Spatial intelligence ("picture smart")
Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence ("body smart")
Musical intelligence ("music smart")
Interpersonal intelligence ("people smart")
Intrapersonal intelligence ("self smart")
Naturalist intelligence ("nature smart")

Answer 1

I love the idea of relating MI to spirituality...it makes perfect sense. We are all gifted in unique (and mysterious) ways which opens us each to a different perception (literally and figuratively) about all manner of experiences. In theory, you can have all, some or just one type of MI through which you process the world around you...congrats on making this insight! Of course, the 'altermative' religious/spiritual practice of paganism already predisposed you to unique viewpoints...:)

Answer 2

But you have already workied out it is only Chrsitianity involved and yet you cannot yet see where the problem lies? ALL the other religions and atheists live in peace and are ONLY attacked by BAD christians which causes all GOOD christians to despair at the damage they do! Up until about 40 years back Christianity was thriving and there was no conflict with others but in just those few short years the modern christians have become intolerant, hate filled, bigoted and persecuting resulting in a growing backlash against christianity and causing christianity to loose over ten percent in less than a decade with the loss accelerating! The self destruction of Christianity is underway and the only thing that can stop it is to abandon the terrible human emotions, seek to rediscover the idea of a loving god and act like it!

Answer 3

Of course our different intelligence types percieve religion in different ways-

Hence the four Gospels- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The 4 men all tell the same story (the birth and life of Christ), but the stories seem to differ some and they're definitely told from different points of view as the four men were very different (which can be seen through their occupations).

That's why I (as a Christian) think that fellowship with other Christians is so important. I'm very linguistic and musical and God, in my mind, is very multi-faceted. My father, on the other hand, is very logico-mathematical and God, for him, is very black-and-white, cut-and-dry. Same God, same religion, same family, different views- neither of which are incorrect. That is also why it is important to be around people with differing views (like being friends with Pagans or Hindus or what-have-you's) because it broadens your understanding of the world and it further helps you to develop your OWN beliefs, rather than just buying into what some man in a suit behind a pulpit feeds you as "truth".

Also (and this is totally a believe I've come to as a CHRISTIAN), I believe that God put different parts of Himself into humans (it's a really neat concept when comparing man to woman and their individual needs in a romantic relationship. Anyway.) and if these different parts in us are reflective of him, it's beneficial for us to come together to further understand ourselves, the world, and what we believe.

Answer 4

Yes perhaps each different belief would appeal to a different sort of cognitive filtering but the other aspect of belief, the spiritual, flows through a different filter from the intellect.

Answer 5

I think you are onto a very helpful truth here.
('different needs, experiences and ideas will reach us because of our differently gifted brains.')

Answer 6

YOU KNOW THAT'S AN INTERESTINGLY FASCINATING QUERY YOU HAVE THERE. I FEEL THERE ARE SUCH A WIDE SPAN OF HUMAN BEINGS OUT THERE IN OUR SOCIETY, IT WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT TO PIN-POINT AN EXACTLY PROPER RESPONSE (FOR SUCH AN INTRIGUING DILEMMA). I FEEL AS IF YOU'RE VERY INTELLECTUAL AND FASCINATED WITH INQUISITIVE THOUGHTS AND THEORIES. I WISH I COULD MEET YOU IN PERSON YOU SEEM VERY COOL. SINCERELY,SHANNON P.S. GREAT QUESTION!