An Atheist’s Courage
I found myself talking to several atheists this week. I was an atheist myself for the better part of my adulthood and I don’t say that to imply that it’s a phase that leads to something else – the work of spiritual maturity is not linear and is certainly not a competition. (No belt system here, that’s for sure.) There are teachers who attempt a description of the path (I like John Daido Loori’s) but any numbering scheme falsely implies linearity or progress. (And we Westerners are attached to the concept of progress, tend to misapply it routinely. I once heard Homer described as a “beginner” storyteller by someone who should have known better.) The atheists I met at various gatherings were interested to talk about their convictions with me, once they were clear that I … [Read More...]
“This Little Light of Mine”
The most recent internal struggle to emerge is a conundrum: the impulse to hide while bemoaning not being seen. Obviously, the crippling effect of this conundrum is exacerbated by the stupidity of it: how can one expect to be valued while insisting on remaining hidden? Talk about heading in two directions at once… I thought of that song our … [Read More...]
“That context is being denied.”
President Obama's reflections on the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin were, as usually, pastorally perfect. I noted in particular his reference to the idea that the historical context of African American experience is not being allowed to be a factor in the discussion. It's not just race but the history of race in this … [Read More...]
