(BELIEF AND KNOWLEDGE{1}[continued(3)])[5th April 1987]

[Redbook3:120-121][19870405:1057c](BELIEF AND KNOWLEDGE{1}[continued(3)])[5th April 1987]

19870405.1057

(Sunday)

[continued]

The distinction* is vitally important – to me – for religious purposes. 'Belief' (in this context) requires Faith**, a state of mind which the Church requires of its congregations in what I am tempted to call 'The Outer Church'***. 'Knowledge' does not require Faith, as it is based on Evidence which is (to the Knower) convincing. Clearly, in general, the objective quality or reliability of the Knowledge depends upon the quality of the Evidence, **** which is likely to depend upon the disposition and training of the knower.

In terms of the Circles, Faith seems generally a characteristic required on the Outer Circle, giving rise to the Belief which enables transfer# to the Inner Circle at the appropriate point#*. I do not specify what the Belief should be in; I think I have said that an interested open mind may be sufficient, but even that requires Faith: but [sic] a faith or belief which is more of a mental state or attitude of mind that a set of data or systematised information.

I should like now simply to be able to say: “Knowledge, on the other hand, is a characteristic of the Inner Circle”. Unfortunately, it is not quite as simple as that.

*[of Knowledge from Belief – see last previous entry.]

**There is also faith as Trust [e.g.?] in God, not just Belief in God (Vol VI). <890930>

***Hmm. <890930>

****{(the quality of assessment of?)

#(i.e. by allowing Knowledge)?

#*{But see [Volume] IV}

[continues]

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