well, i can't say i agree much....
1. religions by definition do not have to beleive that they are the sole "right" religion. many polytheistic faiths are quite tolerant, adding and remaking gods to include new peoples, etc...
Monotheistic faiths (i will include envangelic bhuddism, for purposes of discussion) can develop claims to soley possess the truth more easily...but do not have to stick with them. Adaptation to pluralisitic society is simply a part of the journey called modernity.
2. i pray that leadership does not involve a loss of humility. i hope to involve myself in Christian leadership, and become ordained. i hope i never forget why, or for what purpose. Paul writes in 1 Corinithians, chapter 12:
Quote:
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As it is, there are many members, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’
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Indeed-leadership is one gift among many...and it is possible to exercize in such a fashion as to remain connected and not elevated above the people.
3. problematic, yes. but i would say that in many ways, God is still speaking to God's people-and that this process of intentionally imaging God can be a healthy part of our collective search. the personal idol construction is an ever-present risk, and we need to keep ourselves honest, and grounded in scripture. This amounts to not so much a disagreement of fact, but a difference in what i see as possibilities.
4. Clarify perhaps? Not sure what's being said.
5. I beleive such an opinion has thin merit at best...and would confuse the issue greatly. I'm not sure what you define as devout, but pathologizing someone you disagree with is not an acceptable tactic in my opinion. "The other guy is sooo wrong, he needs to see a doctor" is incompatible with civil discussion, as you state that you desire.
6. if you control the content, the mechanism, and the means, i suggest that you have done something that does not resemble communication with God. If you wish to identify such moments, i would look to times when you really didn't expect it. the only common thread of the times i have felt the prescence strongly, is that i had no idea it was coming. Author Patrick Henry notes that we rarely can see grace coming a mile away-it surprises us, and often we only recognize it after the fact.
7. I suggest reading Beuchner, specifically "Telling Secrets." He deals with the problem, and speaks about the "quiet hush of God"...the ways in which God holds back from the world to let us have agency and choice. Its been the most compelling writing on free will that i've ever read.
8. I hope so. God is still speaking...and we have a lot to hear.