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Type Approximate

minimum Age

Stages of development

Divine

Primitive

Stage 1

First year

Potter: Some say the Neonate is a Tabla Rosa, devoid of

spiritual theories. Others say that they bask in the after glow

of a previous spiritual existance, divine and wonderous. It

seems best to think of the neonate as a divine potential.

Being human, the neonate takes part of divine and animal

qualities, each seeking to experience the world. Together,

they are what the child can be and must be.

Intuitive

Projective

Stage 2

1-3 years

Focus is upon surface qualities, as portrayed by adult

models. This stage depends upon fantasy. Conceptions of

the divine reflect a belief in magic.

MythicalLiteral Stage 33-6 years

Fantasy ceases to be a primary source of knowledge at this

stage, and verification of facts becomes necessary.

Verification of the truth comes not from actual experience

but from such authorities and teachers, parents, books and

tradition.

Poetic

Conventional

Stage 4

6-12 years

This child is entering Piaget's codification stage. Faith is

still conventional and depends on a consensus of opinion of

other, more authoritative persons. Now the person moves

away from family influence and into new relationships.

Individuating

Reflective

Stage 5

12-18 years

Individuals in this stage begin to assume responsibility for

their own beliefs, attitudes, commitments, and lifestyle. The

faith learned in earlier stages may be disregarded, and

greater attention is paid to one's own experience.

Paradoxical

Consolidation

Stage 6

18-35 years

The elements of faith, ritual, symbols and beliefs start to become

understood and consolidated. The person begins to realize that

other approaches to dealing with such complex questions as the

supernatural and supreme being can be as valid astheir own.

Universalizing Stage 7

35-60 years

Here the individual lives in the real world but is not of it.

Such persons do not merely recognize the mutuality of

existence; they act on the basis of it. The person at this

stage appear to be truly genuine and lack the need to "save

face" that exists at earlier levels

Transcendent Stage 8

60 above

From Kohlberg. Those who rise above the purely

cognitive and achieve a place where they transcend logic.

They come to understand why one should be just and

ethical in a world that is unjust. They posses a burning love

of universal humankind pressing them to improve the

human condition

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SPIRITUAL THEORY

James W. Fowler"Stages of Faith"

Fowler's research and theories are similar to the work of two famouspsychologists. Jean Piaget was famous for his cognitive development

theories while Kohlberg is known for his work in moral reasoning. Fowler's

theory of spiritual development stretches from infancy to old age. Althoughnot an age- related stage theory, Fowler believes that all people go through

stages of spirituality during their lives.