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Tradition is a [[knowledge]] system (a means of transferring knowledge). Economists Friedrich Hayek and Thomas Sowell explain that tradition is an economically efficient way to transfer and obtain [[knowledge]] of all kinds. Sowell, for example, notes that [[volition|decision-making]] consumes time (a valuable resource), and cultural traditions offer a rich, low-cost, consensually authenticated way to economize on the resources required to make decisions independently. Chemist and philosopher [[Michael Polanyi]] argues that the importance of tradition stems precisely from the [[fact]] that we know more than we can articulate, and that we amass and [[communication|communicate]] valuable knowledge through tradition, often without conscious awareness of all the factors that influenced the development of traditions.

Tradition is a [[knowledge]] system (a means of transferring knowledge). Economists Friedrich Hayek and Thomas Sowell explain that tradition is an economically efficient way to transfer and obtain [[knowledge]] of all kinds. Sowell, for example, notes that [[volition|decision-making]] consumes time (a valuable resource), and cultural traditions offer a rich, low-cost, consensually authenticated way to economize on the resources required to make decisions independently. Chemist and philosopher [[Michael Polanyi]] argues that the importance of tradition stems precisely from the [[fact]] that we know more than we can articulate, and that we amass and [[communication|communicate]] valuable knowledge through tradition, often without conscious awareness of all the factors that influenced the development of traditions.

Traditions are often presumed to be ancient, unalterable, and deeply important, though they may sometimes be much less "natural" than is presumed. Some traditions were deliberately invented for one reason or another, often to highlight or enhance the importance of a certain institution.Traditions may also be changed to suit the needs of the day, and the changes can become accepted as a part of the ancient tradition. A famous book on the subject is ''[http://cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521437738 The Invention of Tradition]'', edited by [[Eric Hobsbawm]] and Terence Ranger.

Traditions are often presumed to be ancient, unalterable, and deeply important, though they may sometimes be much less "natural" than is presumed. Some traditions were deliberately invented for one reason or another, often to highlight or enhance the importance of a certain institution.Traditions may also be changed to suit the needs of the day, and the changes can become accepted as a part of the ancient tradition. A famous book on the subject is ''[https://cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=9780521437738 The Invention of Tradition]'', edited by [[Eric Hobsbawm]] and Terence Ranger.

Some examples include "the invention of tradition" in Africa and other colonial holdings by the occupying forces. Requiring legitimacy, the colonial power would often invent a "tradition" which they could use to legitimize their own position. For example, a certain succession to a chiefdom might be recognized by a colonial power as traditional in order to favor their own candidates for the job. Often these inventions were based in some form of tradition, but were grossly exaggerated, distorted, or biased toward a particular interpretation.

Some examples include "the invention of tradition" in Africa and other colonial holdings by the occupying forces. Requiring legitimacy, the colonial power would often invent a "tradition" which they could use to legitimize their own position. For example, a certain succession to a chiefdom might be recognized by a colonial power as traditional in order to favor their own candidates for the job. Often these inventions were based in some form of tradition, but were grossly exaggerated, distorted, or biased toward a particular interpretation.

In the Master's life on [[Urantia]], this and all other worlds of the [[Local Universe|local creation]] discover a new and higher type of religion, religion based on [[personal]] spiritual relations with the [[Universal Father]] and wholly validated by the supreme [[authority]] of genuine personal [[experience]]. This living [[faith]] of Jesus was more than an intellectual [[reflection]], and it was not a [[mystic]] meditation.

In the Master's life on [[Urantia]], this and all other worlds of the [[Local Universe|local creation]] discover a new and higher type of religion, religion based on [[personal]] spiritual relations with the [[Universal Father]] and wholly validated by the supreme [[authority]] of genuine personal [[experience]]. This living [[faith]] of Jesus was more than an intellectual [[reflection]], and it was not a [[mystic]] meditation.

[[Theology]] may fix, formulate, define, and dogmatize faith, but in the human life of Jesus' faith was personal, living, original, spontaneous, and purely spiritual. This faith was not reverence for '''tradition''' nor a mere intellectual belief which he held as a sacred creed, but rather a sublime experience and a profound conviction which securely held him. His faith was so real and all-encompassing that it absolutely swept away any spiritual doubts and effectively destroyed every conflicting desire.[http://www.urantia.org/cgi-bin/webglimpse/mfs/usr/local/www/data/papers?link=http://mercy.urantia.org/papers/paper196.html&file=/usr/local/www/data/papers/paper196.html&line=31#mfs]

[[Theology]] may fix, formulate, define, and dogmatize faith, but in the human life of Jesus' faith was personal, living, original, spontaneous, and purely spiritual. This faith was not reverence for '''tradition''' nor a mere intellectual belief which he held as a sacred creed, but rather a sublime experience and a profound conviction which securely held him. His faith was so real and all-encompassing that it absolutely swept away any spiritual doubts and effectively destroyed every conflicting desire.[https://www.urantia.org/cgi-bin/webglimpse/mfs/usr/local/www/data/papers?link=https://mercy.urantia.org/papers/paper196.html&file=/usr/local/www/data/papers/paper196.html&line=31#mfs]

==Citations and notes==

==Citations and notes==

==External links==

==External links==

* [http://www.path-work.info/pathwork/tradition Pathwork lecture about religious tradition]

* [https://www.path-work.info/pathwork/tradition Pathwork lecture about religious tradition]

* [http://www.cafetraditions.com Online community for cataloging, creating and exchanging traditions]

* [https://www.cafetraditions.com Online community for cataloging, creating and exchanging traditions]

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: Sociology]]

[[Category: History]]

[[Category: History]]