Spirituality Reconsidered
In last week’s offering titled, “Insignificance?” I wrote about the vastness of the universe, but I made an error in judgement. I ran roughshod over those who’s faith in a better world rests in the realm of belief. Not everything that is good is based on science or pragmatism. At times I forget about my fellow humans who carry their sense of morality and character in principles steeped in the tenets and teachings of a religious nature.
I have become jaded by the religious hypocrisy and zealotry I see inundating our culture. I read the headlines about so-called Christian Evangelicals or ultra-orthodox Haredi or Islamic Jihadists who espouse a faith that utilizes holy words as instruments of hatred and fear. I have only read portions of the Bible, but I know enough about the passages attributed to Jesus to know there is nothing written about disdain for those with a different skin tone nor are there reasons given to shun the poor or turn away foreigners in need.
It is my understanding that much of the Bible, the Torah, and the Koran preach tolerance and forbearance. They teach about kindness, forgiveness, and inclusion. Of course if a person is seeking justification for cruelty and misanthropic behavior, there are plenty of passages to interpret for any agenda. “An Eye for an Eye”, “’Justice is Mine’, sayeth the Lord”, and on and on. By cherry picking phrases from any book, regardless of its original intent, any person or group can justify any kind of dysfunctional conduct if that is what they are focused on doing.
As I type these words, no one has chastised me for writing what I wrote in last week’s offering, but sometimes I reflect on my previous opinions and by doing so, I open up doorways I had not considered prior to publishing that essay. In this case I recalled a number of friends who do believe in a greater being. I realized that my words could well be seen as harsh and intolerant with regard to how they make their own way through life. So, for this, I apologize.
The people I know who have included a spiritual quality to their paths are kind and generous. They are good people with whom I have had wonderful conversations about politics, science, personal relationships, and even religion. My quarrel is not with them. But as noted, at times I forget and lump every person with a spiritual bent into the same boat with the crazies who are, at least in my opinion, pushing humanity towards the brink of extinction.
Down the road, as I write these weekly offerings, I know I will continue to examine human behavior and also rail against injustice whether it is perpetrated by a group of bullies down the street, power-hungry government officials, or religious fanatics focused on intolerance. But I will also do my best to be Mindful in this process, something I continually place at the forefront of my writing. It is not always easy to practice what you preach. And I certainly do not mean to be “Preachy” though I’m sure that’s how it comes across at times.
I would like to end this week’s piece by thanking everyone who reads these and to offer my gratitude to those who engage in the conversations. It’s also important to reiterate that responses are certainly not required or even expected. Participation is up to the individual, but if any of you feel that I have crossed a line or that I have missed an important point, I encourage you to either post a response or write to me directly. Either way, I will learn something and, in the end, that’s what this experiment is all about.
Thank you for your well considered comments Tobin. I think there is a big difference between Religion and Spirituality. I feel the first espouses “Truths” and the second asks questions. “Truth” today is subjective which undermines its very meaning. One religion, person, government or entity claiming truth leads to tyranny – which is a form of ignorance. Spirituality in contrast is rooted in pondering the unknowable, asking questions and fostering an open mind – a mind that resides in the heart and not the brain.
Bill – Thank you for your thoughts on this. I agree to a point. Not being religious or particularly spiritual, I’m speaking from a non-participatory perspective, which is never a good place to ascend a bully pulpit. What I have observed over the years is that many people who have incorporated the less onerous tenets of a Judeo-Christian ethic into their lives feel the spiritual nature of their “religion”. That the dogma of ritualistic blind faith is not as much a part of their own path and leads to being open to other ways of feeling the spirit and an acceptance of those who may not follow the same standards.
The recent lockstep vote by Evangelical Southern Baptists to condemn same sex marriage is a perfect example of the tyranny you mentioned. Ultimately I believe these folks are driven by fear and the only way of mitigating that fear is by our own living through example and by communicating with them. We will never be able to reach all these people, but, in my naive way, I think we can at least reach some of them. All we can do is try. Thanks again!
Nicely done, Tobin–It’s important to remember the most important message of religion is to care about each other. We are called upon to witness empathy and tolerance. Not hatred.
Hey Jody – Good to hear from you and thank you for the thought. When Rachel hears about the travesties being inflicted on Palestinians in Gaza by the government of Israel, she is beyond mortified. I’m going to guess that it must be the same for those who believe in the non-violent, kind, and inclusive teachings attributed to Jesus when they hear about hatred and violence being fomented in his name. An noted in the essay, many people can justify anything that want to justify in the name of whatever deity they believe in, regardless of the intent of the precepts of that teaching. Humanity sucks!!!!! (at least the most powerful of us).
Tobin it is difficult for me to see where you have crossed a line. You’re bound to exercise a writer’s license to describe the process of your conceptual and emotional journey without apology. I do not recall going out of the way to disparage any religious tradition.
Religions are by and large story collections, practices that we inherit, seldom reflected upon. Stories structure our lives. I think that it is impossible to be a member of our species without this feature. To believe that we have become more secular, and thus less religious is a big mistake it seems to me. The Jewish faith, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism all admit a wide spectrum of practice, and each those old traditions, in the 21st century are whatever the practitioner desires it to be. It is as if we are seeking ourselves, and the reflection of our search is what is found in a given faith. We believe that we have found, (or will find) what we are looking for, — ourselves. What do we find? We find an echo, a return of the question that we have asked ourselves from the beginning: “What do you want?” (And I can never be sure of what I want!)
Some thoughts about the abject, palpable cruelty that is now being practiced in our country. Many are being hunted down, exiled from home, family, from a settled way of life on account of the desire of a core group of zealots, whatever pretext of legal justification is offered … this is raw barbarism.
Seems to me such as this ought to always be resisted. We cannot cease to ask the President, members of his party, and our fellow Americans employed as ICE, and as National Guard —
“What the fuck do you want?” Stop following orders long enough to ask yourself the question.
STOP and ask yourself!
Jerry- Thanks for your thoughts, as always. There is much more I want to write about in terms of religion. In particular with regard to how I view the roots of storytelling, mythology, and magical thinking. I want to go back and reread Joseph Campbell for he was someone who was able to clearly distinguish the lines between mythology and reality and the importance of the story in forming culture, at least in my opinion.
I have always viewed the poems in the Tao Te Ching as mirrors of our inner selves. There is a vagueness in the verses that allows for this type of reflection along with enough substance to push us towards self-analysis.
And as for the dystopian nightmare that continues to bludgeon our nation; I have also wondered what would happen if those protesting pleaded with the members of the National Guard not to follow the orders of a madman, but to step across the line and join those who understand the cruelty being perpetrated by our so-called government. Reminding them that they do have a choice, albeit a difficult one, to shed the tribal cabal of the uniform and stand up to tyranny instead of remaining a cog in the destruction of our Constitution. Perhaps there would be enough people who would make the right choice to allow for others to follow suit. If that were to be the case, the Trumpist insanity would have to end. Wishful thinking.