Fowlers Stages of Faith Development

Question 1

Stage 0: Primal Faith

Answer 1

0-2
Basic trust in the environment; no clear religious awareness; reliance on caregivers.

Question 2

Stage 1: Intuitive-Projective Faith

Answer 2

2 to 7 years
Imagination dominates; magical thinking; simplistic understanding of religious stories and symbols.

Question 2

Stage 2: Mythic-Literal Faith

Answer 2

7 to 12 years
Description: Literal interpretation of religious stories and rituals; belief in reward and punishment.

Question 3

Stage 3: Synthetic-Conventional Faith

Answer 3

Adolescence to early adulthood
Description: Conformity to group beliefs; personal identity linked to religious community; acceptance of authority.

Question 4

Stage 4: Individuative-Reflective Faith

Answer 4

Early adulthood (mid-20s and beyond)
Description: Critical examination of beliefs; questioning of inherited faith; development of a personal worldview.

Question 5

Stage 5: Conjunctive Faith

Answer 5

Midlife and beyond
Description: Embrace of paradox and complexity in faith; appreciation for diverse spiritual perspectives.

Question 6

Stage 6: Universalizing Faith

Answer 6

Rarely achieved
Description: Exceptionally mature faith; transcends cultural and religious boundaries; commitment to justice and compassion for all.

Question 7

Adolescence to early adulthood
Description: Conformity to group beliefs; personal identity linked to religious community; acceptance of authority.

Answer 7

Stage 3: Synthetic-Conventional Faith

Question 8

Early adulthood (mid-20s and beyond)
Description: Critical examination of beliefs; questioning of inherited faith; development of a personal worldview.

Answer 8

Stage 4: Individuative-Reflective Faith

Question 9

7 to 12 years
Description: Literal interpretation of religious stories and rituals; belief in reward and punishment.

Answer 9

Stage 2: Mythic-Literal Faith

Question 10

2 to 7 years
Description: Imagination dominates; magical thinking; simplistic understanding of religious stories and symbols.

Answer 10

Intuitive-Projective Faith

Question 11

Infancy to 2 years
Description: Basic trust in the environment; no clear religious awareness; reliance on caregivers.

Answer 11

Primal Faith

Question 12

Midlife and beyond
Description: Embrace of paradox and complexity in faith; appreciation for diverse spiritual perspectives.

Answer 12

Stage 5: Conjunctive Faith

Question 13

Rarely achieved
Description: Exceptionally mature faith; transcends cultural and religious boundaries; commitment to justice and compassion for all.

Answer 13

Stage 6: Universalizing Faith

Question 14

Stage 0

Answer 14

Stage 0: Primal or Undifferentiated Faith
Age: Infancy to 2 years
Description: Basic trust in the environment; no clear religious awareness; reliance on caregivers.

Question 15

Stage 1

Answer 15

2 to 7 years
Description: Imagination dominates; magical thinking; simplistic understanding of religious stories and symbols.

Question 16

Stage 2

Answer 16

Stage 2: Mythic-Literal Faith
Age: 7 to 12 years
Description: Literal interpretation of religious stories and rituals; belief in reward and punishment.

Question 17

Stage 3

Answer 17

Stage 3: Synthetic-Conventional Faith
Age: Adolescence to early adulthood
Description: Conformity to group beliefs; personal identity linked to religious community; acceptance of authority.

Question 18

Stage 4

Answer 18

Stage 4: Individuative-Reflective Faith
Age: Early adulthood (mid-20s and beyond)
Description: Critical examination of beliefs; questioning of inherited faith; development of a personal worldview.

Question 19

Stage 5

Answer 19

Stage 5: Conjunctive Faith
Age: Midlife and beyond
Description: Embrace of paradox and complexity in faith; appreciation for diverse spiritual perspectives