Pre-Introduction to the Paper: Is Theological Difference an Illusion?

	To a large segment of the population theology, today, is passé. On the other hand, a large proportion still subscribes to such a philosophy, even if only nominally. However, as a phenomenon this type of philosophical attitude to the world cannot be dismissed. On the so-called Left we have had Liberation Theology, and, on the Right we have had the so-called Moral Majority et al. From either side of the political spectrum and from many ideological backgrounds we are currently witness to an upsurge in a wide range of fundamentalisms, many not favourable to a liberal, democratic way of life; the type of political lifestyle many of us in the West enjoy. In this light, as a phenomenon, the theological attitude to the world cannot be overlooked and deserves to be seriously examined. (1)

	The (transcendental) phenomenological examination of a theological attitude, in general or in particular, need not concern itself with the existence or non-existence of its pre-imputed theological object, namely, the Divine, or God… or what ever name one were to give to this sense of the numinous. Indeed, the transcendental attitude to such a phenomenon calls for this type of suspension! (2)

	Over the last four years I have been examining this topic from a transcendental-like type of perspective. In a first volume, a set of essays, I explored what possible sense this type of concept of the Divine might possess. My conclusion was that the idea of the Divine, in a process-oriented style of formulation, could be found to possess a non-contradictory, non-incoherent sense of sense, meaning and meaningfulness although ruling out in the process more traditional forms of a classical theism or deism. In a second volume, an extended essay, I am currently exploring just what form that (phenomenal-phenomenological) sense, (hermeneutical) meaning and (existential) meaningfulness might possess. In this endeavour I see myself as both the theologian’s best friend and, possibly, their worst enemy. I see these investigations as putting this topic on a serious basis (as a research topic) whilst, on the other hand, ruling out of court, if only by implication, much of the subject matter traditionally discussed by more circumscribed, over-committed proponents of this type of attitude towards the nature of the Life-World. (3)

	I have been having much fun exploring various philosophical concepts and developing a wide variety of philosophical tools in order to deal with this type of topic and, by extension, the very topic of philosophy in general. I am grateful for this opportunity to discuss with you some of this research and, hopefully, will be able to share with you a small portion of the enjoyment I have also discovered in this labour of love. So, let me start… it not being too important if we don’t finish since those who are interested can read the end of this paper and consult the rest of this research on my homepagesite. (4)

							         Noël Tointon, Sydney, 12.6.05.