February 23, 2003
-
Following God
E. O Wilson's book Consilience, The Unity of Knowledge is a fascinating read but nonetheless, Mr Wilson interrupts his brilliant train of thought to state on page 286 that people follow religion because it is "easier" than empiricism. I have frequently heard that religion is a crutch, strong people don't need it. Of course, this isn't a new thought. Even Freud and Neitzche who popularized it and legitimized it in intellectual circles, weren't voicing anything original. The response of confusion, rejection and mockery to any explanation offered by the spiritually minded is documented in our most ancient written works. What lies behind the dismissive notion that somehow the religious life is the path of least resistance, the way of lesser mortals?
It can’t be the example of the men who founded various world religions. Confucius is best described as a failed politician. Eventually he resigned from public service and wandered from state to state offering unsolicited advice to various heads and authorities. But, his sharp tongue and integrity convinced rulers of his day to deny him any position involving power. In 479 BC, he died in poverty. Moses grew up in a palace, but then spent forty years hiding for his life, herding sheep in the desert before he met God. Then he spent forty years wandering in the wilderness with people who griped, complained and more than once plotted to rebel against him. He died overlooking the promised land, but never set foot in it. Gautama (the Buddha) also grew up in a palace, but in his 29th year he left his palace and dressed in the clothing of a peasant to wander the forest. Finally despairing of wisdom, asceticism and mortification as paths to enlightenment he sat down under the Bo Tree and there remained until he was at the point of death from the austerity before he found what he sought. Afterward, he walked the dusty roads of India for 40 years teaching and drawing disciples. He died in pain of food poisoning. Jesus has been described as a homeless wandering sage, history records his eventual confrontation with authorities and the locus of Christendom has ever been the moment in history when the blameless man was tortured and crucified.
Men and women who walk the spiritual path are not known for their lives of comfort. Six million Jews died under Hitler, but they are only the last in a long line of millions of Jews persecuted, tortured and driven from their homes or murdered in pogroms, programmed expulsion or forced conversion. Perhaps the best known Buddhist in the world today is the Dalai Lama. He has been a leader in exile his whole life, suffering for the people of Tibet. Perhaps the second best known Buddhist to Americans is Thich Nhat Hanh, known to students and friends as Thay. This tireless monk first risked his life to speak out uncompromisingly for peace in Vietnam. When Christians point to those who best exemplify their faith in contemporary life, Mother Teresa of Calucutta, and her New York counterpart, Dorothy Day are frequently mentioned. Less well-known outside Christian seminaries and theological societies, Henri Nouwen is one of the most oft quoted in recent literature. This brilliant theologian left his post at Harvard to devote himself to the care of a mentally retarded person and in this role he found and wrote the most profound words of his career.
I think a possible reason unbelievers have such difficulty understanding faith is that to follow God is to find oneself behaving in a way that can only be described as counter-intuitive. Personal desires for power, wealth, popularity, or pleasure take second place to the spiritual concern for compassion, generosity, service and sacrifice. It is a paradox of the Spirit that in giving we receive, in service to others we find significance, by extending compassion and mercy we find grace for ourselves, and through our willing sacrifice we encounter a joy beyond the furthest reaches of any pleasure known to the material world.
As I write this, I’m reminded of the story of a Buddhist monk. His village was being overrun with soldiers and everyone else had fled for their lives. The Captain of the guard rode up to where he stood unafraid in the town square and rested the point of his sword on the monk’s chest. "Why do you not run, don’t you know that I have the power to kill you?" The monk merely smiled. "Why do you not marvel that you have met a man unafraid of dying on a sword?"
This blog was inspired by the meditation I have enjoyed over the past several days. I am rearranging the words, but the original may be seen in a banner on AprilStorm’s site.
Happy Moments, trust God.
Difficult Moments, thank God.
Quiet Moments, praise God.
Painful Moments, worship God.
Every Moment, seek God.
Comments (17)
I think the examples you gave are exceptions to the norms, don't you think? Of course there will be men strong enough to follow their own original ideas. But for the most part I agree with Wilson---it is easier to follow. Not just religion, but anything. It is easier to follow than to strike out and be original at anything, religion no exception. How difficult is it to have an original idea, then how much more difficult to have faith in that idea and follow it. If a person follows God, and puts faith in God's will, God then becomes responsible for fate, and doesn't that make things easier? Isn't that the very reason most people turn to religion?
And I believe that intuition would be a factor in following religion, not countering it. It is logic that demands we question the existance of God, not intuition. I don't think people who follow God are doing so counter-intuitively. I think they are relying purely on intuition to be able to do so. I need to read that book. But there are so many many books! lol
in thinking about religion (how appropos on a Sunday, what used to be the day I'd have to go to mass), I cannot help but think about all the injustices and war that has come about due to differences of opinion on how or what one worships... isn't it such a shame that what's supposed to be a kind and loving way to lead one's life (religiosity) becomes that which causes people to want to destroy those who do not see it EXACTLY as they do? God bless us all for using our faith as justification for causing harm in any way upon our fellow man.
Excellent blog. I'm going to save this one - it really spoke to me. And the quote at the bottom should be my motto. ((grins!))
faith is by no means easier. it takes hard work and constant affirmation. it is easier not to be believe. at least, for me.
wonderful wonderful sunday thoughts.
Einstein was an undisputed genius, was he not? And he was a religious man...was he not?
I hope you are having a great weekend!!!
Tina
I don't think you need the establishment of religion to do the things you speak about here... it is the spiritual path, whether via religion or not, that is the difficult path to take. But even that is subjective. For me, not taking the spiritual path would be counter-intuitive. One of the best things I've heard recently is this, "Happiness is not an emotion, it is a decision." -sorry, can't remember where I heard it.
Well said!
I just thought of something afrer I clicked away... kindness and compassion are things you can't buy - you can't go to Linens 'n Things and grab a kit of compassion, or buy a suit of kindness at Nordstroms. These are virtues that you have to work for, and that aren't always immediately rewarding, and often cannot serve as physically-viewable 'status symbols' like diamond rings, huge houses and well-decorated kitchens. There is no instant gratification a lot of the time in being kind and compassionate, not the kind that others recognize anyway, and that's what so many people get caught up in - what other people think.
Interesting blog....but I do think you are confusing spirituality with belief in God. The buddhist you mention isn't afraid of death because he believes in God - the doctrine of buddhism has nothing to do with any sort of supreme being. Rather he is unafraid since death is simply the transition from one form of existence to another. Fear of death comes from being bound to ego & consciousness.
Also, to be a non-theist (or an atheist) does not mean one is given over to personal desires for power, wealth, etc. Non-theists are equally compassionate, merciful, generous and giving of self as believers are.
...and no, Einstein was not a religious man - he was an agnostic. He was however, quite spiritual.
o/
God Bless - Dale
Interesting blog. The only real glitch I note is that Buddhists do not believe in a ‘God’.
sail on... sail on!!!
Nice to have you back.
I don't think having faith is easier, I think following a religion is easier. That's a good point about faith, virg. Faith is incredibly difficult.
I didn't have time to read the whole thing, but the last paragraph...trust - seek God...thank you for sharing. It's good for me to be reminded to do those things every once in awhile.
He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him!
I think the difference between living a life of faith and using religion as a crutch has to do with one professing faith in order to claim a spot in heaven or a higher rung in the next life as opposed to doing one's best to live centered in God.
Comments are closed.