Hi
Edward. I am amazed at how much you are able to say succinctly with
few words. Truly a skill of an experienced writer. I wish you well
with your book promotion and that it can have the acceptance you wish.
In
a recent essay you say, in my fair paraphrase, that, “by
the exemplary lives(of
believers) unbelievers
have observed and have asked questions and have eventually been
blessed.” I think the unstated message is that it is 'not
likely that believers will observe exemplary lives of
considered non believers and be blessed.' But wouldn't a moment
of thought by a fair minded person discover that both of
these can and do happen in the real world?
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| Assuming Superiority Does Not Ever Promote Mutual Cooperation. |
At
the risk of seeming to knit pick I will offer a thought. I
found myself reading this remark as if I were an 'unbeliever'. And I
was struck with a bit of 'seeing ourselves as others see us'.
The line above is an example. You are not at all meaning to but, if
we consider respectful conversations to be mutual, it would be taken
by such a person(an 'unbeliever' or 'different believer') as overt
superiority and condescension.
I've
struggled with this problem of Orthodox Christian teaching many
times before. A typical Christian attitude assumes that 'we' have
far more important information or understanding to add to the
religious/spiritual conversation than the 'other', the unbeliever or
'different' believer, does? I think many Christians are not
bothered by this openly superior attitude. They would
argue that this is how it must be. To add another dimension, I think
our American national attitude is often very similar as we relate to
other nations whom we see as very different from us. It seems our
'Christian' superior attitude also comes forth in how we relate as a
nation to other countries.
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| The Primary Post-Modern Symbol Of Human Self Destruction |
Such
an attitude would not work at all on any playground. Why do we think
it is no problem on the world stage where there are guns and bombs?
Why do we not see the obvious connection between such attitudes and
all kinds of reactionary terrorism? Such 'believers'
might likely be ones who will fight to have a nativity scene
in the park but would be offended if not vehemently opposed
to a statue of the Buddha or Mohammad there at another time of year.
In
light of Christ's numerous examples of reaching out, honoring and
accepting the 'different ones', and maybe even Paul's when he gave
some credit to the pagan 'unknown' god and in no way insisted it be
removed from public display, Christians should be just as confident,
respectful and courteous? A central development in the New Testament centers around conversion dreams/visions of both Peter and Paul. They and other Hebrew Christians, upon reflection, though at first horrified learn that their Gentile neighbors are just as much favored by God as they are. Should we Chrsitians not expect such conversions ourselves in our world of different kinds of people? That is surely a much needed dimension
of any unpretentious 'exemplary life', no matter what ones
religion or national allegiance.
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| Jesus finds 'greater faith than in all Israel' in non-Jewish Canaanite Woman |
This
is an important issue and becomes more so every day in a shrinking
and pluralistic democratic society, not to mention as a Christian
influence in areas of the world that are not democratic. I
think the problem surfaces in any religion that
claims an unreflected but certain ' one and only' status in the
world. Christianity can be faithfully interpreted and followed and
its potentially life transforming power enhanced without
this 'one and only' insistence on the Christian Deity.
Jesus did not relate to those outside his own religious
community as if they were the spiritually inferior and backward and
neither should we as his followers. We need to 'look
carefully'(Latin for religion) at how it got this way....that Christ
followers came to see themselves as God's one and only
people(the Hebrews taught them well) and as ones who carry
the 'one and only' truth. It is not unfaithful, quite the contrary,
to challenge these deeply embedded superiority assumptions.
For the good and peace of the future world we must explore it and set
an example for other 'one and only' religions to do the same.
We all got that way for the same basic reason even
if following our very unique historical paths.
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| Maybe A President's Bow Reflects Strength-Not Weakness |
Is
this problem not in fact a very major obstacle in thoughtful
and educated unbelievers 'observing the
exemplary lives of believers and asking questions... ? '
The relationship of major world religions does not not
need to continue to be one of overt childish and waring
competition. It remaining that way makes the world increasingly less
safe for our children and grandchildren. It should not be
considered a spiritual tragedy should a ' non believer observe
the exemplary life of a 'different kind of believer' and ask
questions and come to lead the same good and exemplary life
that 'kind of believer' follows. Why is this so hard for orthodox
'believers' of all the 'one and only' God religions to value, embrace
and to pursue for the sake of God's beloved humanity?
I do realize that it is EXTREMELY HARD for we have many
centuries invested into our 'superior' stance toward 'the other.'
But has not the time come for Christianity to attempt something
extremely hard rather than following what is comfortable, secure
and, as seen from afar, quite egocentric?
Edward,
reviewing this it sounds at points sarcastic but I do not intend it
that way. I am attempting to say exactly what I mean and I believe the
solemn seriousness of the points made.
Blessings,
Jim
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