{"id":800,"date":"2020-01-06T12:07:25","date_gmt":"2020-01-06T02:07:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/?page_id=800"},"modified":"2020-01-06T12:19:15","modified_gmt":"2020-01-06T02:19:15","slug":"stages-of-faith-development","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dying-and-death-reflections.com\/index.php\/stages-of-faith-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Stages of Faith Development"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In a book entitled Stages of Faith<\/em> (1981), James W.\nFowler describes a theory of seven stages that people go through as their faith\ndevelops. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The insights in this theory can be applied both to those in traditional\nfaiths, and also to those who follow other spiritualities or hold secular\nworldviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(In another book, A Different Drum<\/em> [1987], M. Scott Peck presents a simplified version that focuses only on the four most common stages.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through an understanding of the stages of faith development, one can become more inclusive of others, rather than maintaining a non-acceptance of others\u2019 beliefs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Important to realize is that a person categorized in one of\nthe less developed stages is not, in any way, less of a person than one characterized\nby a more developed stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A description of the stages follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n