Is Why? a theological question?

Why seems to be one of the early questions kids ask. Often it gets frustrating.

Does Why? in the context of religion and faith get its answers from scripture, tradition, creeds, and Church authority?

Or is Why? a more reflective, self critical and analytical question that might challenge the answers found in scripture, tradition, creeds and Church authority?

"Why?" might be biologically hardwired into us as a species. We are curious by nature.

>1 richardbsmith:, >2 southernbooklady:

Or all of the above?

I think the book of Job answers that question best. "Why?" Because God says so, that's why. You got a problem with that?

>4 quicksiva:

Do you really think that, or are you being sarcastic? Do you take the bible literally?

I think the answers in Job are bad.

It is one of my least favorite book in the Bible.

Why bad things for good people or why good things for bad people is not the only Why? question, and not the even the Why? question I was thinking about.

In An Intelligent Person's Guide to Philosophy Roger Scruton devotes the whole first chapter to the question "Why?". When we ask why, the response we are seeking surely depends on the context. If a student asks "why is the sky blue" a scientific answer is the appropriate response. If a judge ask "why did you put arsenic in your wife's tea?", then the scientific answer (''because electrical impulses from my brain caused my hand to reach for the bottle and tip it into the cup") would be inappropriate. The judge would not be amused as she is expecting an explanation of purpose and intent. If you ask yourself, "why did my loved one smile", again while a scientific explanation would be true, it would not be a satisfactory answer. You want to know the meaning of the smile.

In religion, why questions are surely of the second kind. The satisfying answers address purpose, intent and meaning.

Scientific questions are answered by most people by reference to tradition and scientific authority. But scientists answer them in different ways. For them why is a reflective, self critical and analytical question that might challenge the answers found in tradition and scientific authority.

So isn't it the same in religion? For most people, the answer from tradition and scientific authority satisfies. For others, theology is a path to answering why by reflective, self critical analysis, and challenges to the answers found in tradition and authority.

More the Why? of authority and belief and action.

Why do we believe this?
Why do we do this? and not this?

I have on occasion been asked what do we believe? the question is really what do Episcopalians believe? At times I think the question is so that the person asking might clarify what they themselves believe.

Of course it is not so a clear answer in the Episcopal Church, if the question is what we believe. For What?, a person might start with the creeds and work up or down from there.

Why might be a more appropriate question, I think, than what. And that question can certainly be of multiple types, as you described.

Why do I believe this? Why do I do this? Why do we use these authorities? Tradition and scripture and reason (science, learning, logic, critical thinking) are the typical authorities. Some would add culture.

Perhaps theology serves that purpose. The purpose of a path. I wonder though if Christian theology starts with the answer and then tries to sort the path.

>8 richardbsmith:

"Why do we believe this?"

Why do you ask? What sort of answer are you seeking?

I think, in the context of religion a probably also in it's widest sense, an answer to the question "why do we believe this?" could either be a reason, a purpose or a meaning. We believe this because our parents told us it was true. We believe this because that belief is required for us to be a member of our community. We believe this because it gives meaning to our lives. Aren't they all valid answers to the question, depending on context?

We might consider Why? questions at a more practical level.

We can also consider Why? for some of the bigger questions. The OP question came to me after some discussions over smaller questions.

An example might be why women cannot be priests?

Why churches are not in communion?

Things like that.

We can consider the question of faith. You are correct - each person might have different answers that are satisfying to them. That was not the reason for the OP.

>10 richardbsmith:

Why do you consider "why women can't be priests" a "small" question?

Let's not argue small distinctions in wording, that might even contain a touch of sarcasm.

>12 richardbsmith:

Sorry. Not intended. I am still a bit puzzled about what it is you are asking.

rrp,

I am probably asking a bunch of questions. And it seemed best to put them all under the big question Why?

Most likely it was a confusing approach. We can leave the question aside.

I will have another question soon, I am sure. : )

Perhaps the next question will be more clear.

Where you been?

And why?

I don't know.

And I really don't know.

Good to know.