I am still slowly recovering from the big infected-lung-nastiness that has had me down. Aside from copious sleeping and very little reading, I've found many new blogs of interest to me and done something that I hadn't done in a long time, that is gotten involved in discussions in the comment box of even a slightly polemical nature. I am not an arguer by nature. I would rather quietly walk away from you and maintain my equanimity than to try to convince you of anything, even anything I feel pretty strongly of. I'm of the opinion that people don't really "convince" anyway.... It is life, not anyone's arguments that must change us. That has been the case with me.
I got involved in a discussion about reincarnation on a blog. I don't know what possessed me to chime in on a discussion like that. Quite generally unlike me and maybe a mistake. I'll blame it on the sickness. ;)
I was also in an e-mail correspondence in which one of the topics covered with my correspondent was people trying to save my soul, poor misled and misguided soul that I am. There seem to be an abundance of people in my path--of various stripes--who would do so, some from my family and my past, and some not. The one thing they most have in common is a zealous certainty in what they know to be "true."
Then later, as I read my new friend Trey's post over at The Rambling Taoist, on free speech, fundamentalism, and religion in general, I found myself replying to a commenter who, in agreement with Trey, had asked why anyone would "worship a God that acts like Big Brother." I was surprised at what I wrote in response to that, what just came as I typed, but I think it's true. At least, it is very true of who I used to be and who so many people I know still are. I wrote:
"Some people seem to need a big brother. They fear uncertainty. They are unable to live in any tension. With the world defined for them in black and white concrete terms, they feel safe...safe in "the truth." They cannot let anyone just be who disagrees because that person's very existence threatens their tenuous certainty. So that person must be converted (thus "evangelism") or done away with. The "truth" is fragile, don't you know. It must be protected. ;)"
Of course, I'll confess I wrote the last sentence a bit sarcastically.
An old favorite musical artist of mine, Iris Dement, came to mind and one of her songs, which is maybe just a bit sarcastic at spots too...but not too much really. I found it on You Tube. (Is there now anything in the known universe that isn't on You Tube?) The lyrics are posted below it. I think I have to agree with Iris these days. Whether you share my views, Iris's, or Trey's, I hope you will enjoy a little musical interlude. Iris is an acquired taste for some though....
I truly wish peace to all.
Everybody's wonderin' what and where they all came from.
Everybody's worryin' 'bout where they're gonna go
when the whole thing's done. But no one knows for certain
and so it's all the same to me.
I think I'll just let the mystery be.
Some say once you're gone you're gone forever,
and some say you're gonna come back.
Some say you rest in the arms of the Saviour
if in sinful ways you lack. Some say that they're comin'
back in a garden, bunch of carrots and little sweet peas.
I think I'll just let the mystery be.
Everybody's wonderin' what and where they all came from.
Everybody's worryin' 'bout where they're gonna go
when the whole thing's done. But no one knows for certain
and so it's all the same to me.
I think I'll just let the mystery be.
Some say they're goin' to a place called Glory
and I ain't saying it ain't a fact. But I've heard that
I'm on the road to purgatory and I don't like the sound of that.
Well, I believe in love and I live my life accordingly.
But I choose to let the mystery be.
Everybody's wonderin' what and where they all came from.
Everybody's worryin' 'bout where they're gonna go
when the whole thing's done. But no one knows for certain
and so it's all the same to me.
I think I'll just let the mystery be.
I think I'll just let the mystery be.
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Looks like your lungs are working at full force!
ReplyDeleteI completely understand the lure of commentary and have gotten lost in it, myself.
It's just another way to pay attention to mind.
Thanks Barry for the vote of confidence and the encouragement.
ReplyDeleteI find, however, that getting lost in the"lure of commentary" is not mindfulness for me...it is "monkey mind," and the stories, scenarios, retorts, arguments...chatter and circle round and round....
That's why I try to remember to avoid it. I'm still learning obviously. :)
Oh ya, those weaklings who are afraid of the unknown. I hate 'em. ;P
ReplyDeleteI envy you!! I am, unfortunately, an arguer and debater. My family and friends say I was born to argue. Yet, despite this penchant, I do agree with you that experience IS the better teacher.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that song. I had never heard of that artist, but you can be darn sure I'm going to look for more of her work.
Yes, just let the mystery be.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Sylvia,
ReplyDeleteI confess that I am not entirely sure how to take your comment, but I think the ;P is a good sign...so I'll just say thank you, my friend.
RT,
Thanks for part of the inspiration for this post and I am glad that I was able to introduce you to some good music that was new to you. Enjoy.
Val,
Yep, we have had this discussion, haven't we? :)
You just make it sound like there's something inherently wrong with believing in something and expressing one's opinions. Why even post about it if you believe in letting things be?
ReplyDeleteI do believe in letting people be. I think I said that, didn't I? The point of the post was that the world is full of people who can't and won't do that, and why they can't and won't do that.
ReplyDeleteDid you miss that? Probably not. But it seems to me like you heard something here that I wasn't exactly saying. We are in different places/spaces on this, Sylvia. That should not surprise you. I'm sure it doesn't. We often see the world quite differently.
Have liked Iris Diment for a long time. Love this song. Let's celebrate the mystery!
ReplyDeleteI like this post, and by the way thank you for the intro to Rambling Taoist, who I'm enjoying.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to listen to that song later (I'm on my lunchhour at work) but I like the lyrics, especially the 'let the mystery be'.
For me, the whole thing is a question of balance. The opinions of others are important - they might be right, they might teach me something. And so long as the other person is willing to listen in turn, I even enjoy listening to views that are passionately held but diametrically opposed to my own.
It is, as you say, evangelism (whether of religion, politics or whatever) triggered by fear that is the problem.
You'll be amused to hear (given our offline discussions) that I tried to engage a Sarah Palin supporter in sensible, measured discussion the other day. Failed miserably!
Glad you're feeling a bit better, by the way.
The common ground we share continues to unfold. I love that song, and that is such a nice video of it, simple and unadorned. It is one of my dreams to have a bunch of musicians like that over to my place and jam for a few hours. :)
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally, I was also thinking about evangelism and fundamentalist Christianity yesterday. I was raised somewhat Christian ;) and I believe in the way Jesus teaches us we should live. However, I cannot take the Bible literally, nor do I believe it is the complete word of God (S/he is still speaking!), nor do I believe I have to make a lot of noise about being "saved" so my eternal soul won't be lost. Unfortunately, that alienates me from just about every congregation around here and I really could use some spiritual fellowship lately.
Solitary Walker,
ReplyDeleteThanks. From what I have seen on your blog, I think we share a lot in musical taste. :)
Tess,
Thank you, as always, for your steadfast presence in my comments box. You greatly encourage me. Also, I', glad I was able to introduce you to RT and his writings. I'm glad you are finding good stuff there. Finally, I think you have put things very well here in your comment. I agree with and I think that you present an ideal...which very few people achieve...or perhaps I should say that I think it is the rare person who can achive what you write....
Yes, you state the "problem" succinctly: "evangelism triggered by fear."
I am smiling at your attempt to practice what you have just "preached" here with a Palin sympathizer/supporter. Well, good for you for trying. You have my admiration. :)
Thanks for the continuing well wishes.
Deb,
I'll say the same thing to you that I said to Solitary Walker, that from what I have read on your blog--in your case about your musical abilities and pursuits--I've no doubt that we share musical tastes to a great degree.
I wish there were a few less miles between us. We could have some "fellowship."
Thanks for being here.
It seems to me there is no hope for any cooperation or love unless this basic mystery is acknowledged. Once upon a time, I married an agnostic (to be noted, not an argumentative one). It was certainly problematic for me, but I came to realize we faced the same blank wall; we just interpreted it differently. We never fought on that subject. I even wore a dress he wouldn't be caught dead with me wearing when I went to church. In German, I called it my "Jesus Kleid."
ReplyDeleteUltimately, hubris is a problem for believers and nonbelievers alike.
Sure, but why not let the mystery of people who won't let the mystery be, be? Why argue against them here? If you don't think they should talk about what's wrong with your beliefs, why talk about what's wrong with theirs?
ReplyDeleteThanks Barbara; I appreciate your perspective on this.
ReplyDeleteSylvia,
ReplyDeleteYou know me well enough to know that I respect your point of view. I'll reiterate what I said above. We're on different pages here.
And I think for now I have nothing more to say on the matter.
What a mystery it is...
ReplyDelete