I wonder at the number of people, religions, governments, ideologies, philosophies and all else that claim to know what life is about or not about. Mainly because they exclude so much, especially when it comes to God. It doesn't seem possible that everything can fit into one schema. Which leads to the question of what is the operating principle of life? And can it be known and understood?
The only solid evidence you can get your hands on is what is and what has been. Some rely on a sacred text to determine where everything fits, some on academic intellect, some on intuitive knowledge, some on emotional responses and some according to what benefits them the most. To me, all of these come up short.
I'm not surprised that some scientific evolutionists believe they can explain everything and even determine what is right. I'm beginning to wonder if they are not wanting to be worshiped. Likewise, I love how militant atheists like Christopher Hitchens (RIP) and others who not only determine there is no God for themselves but also no God for anyone else. Then there are the politically extreme liberals and conservatives who believe they are so right that anyone who believes differently is not only completely wrong but an enemy to be eliminated or at least marginalized by any means. Exclusive religious claims are the most difficult as you can make up about most anything and get a following willing to believe just because it is said to be true and jump through most any hoop that is placed before them.
Take one day to get a sense of other cultures, take time to know more than one view of history, take more than a moment to understand the adherents of other faiths, take care to be factual in criticizing the political opposition, and take the same critical view of yourself and your friends as you do for others before you determine, for some rather amazing reason, that you are right and everyone else is wrong.
I have an idea that on any given day, news of every kind falls far short of the full picture of events and experiences. Media predictably covers what it's always covered. There are the feel good stories that are thrown in but they say little about the day to day getting along and making it through that makes up the life of so many. Here are the tears and the laughter, the joy and sorrow, the weddings and funerals, the births and deaths, the fearful doubting and confident faith that is held in common. Some believe it's our differences that make us who we are and to some extent that's true, but how can you discount the overwhelming sameness?
At first I pursued what was right, then what was right as a sincere Christian. But now, it's what is right for me which I'm pretty sure isn't right for any one else. I'm still a Christian, just not any particular kind of Christian. No, it's not what I ever thought, but it fits. Yet, I'm not about to just see life from this place I now occupy. There is too much more going on. And I'm pretty sure no one has the capacity to put it all together, much less put a frame around it. Besides, I'm still expecting changes. I'm not at the end of the journey, although it's come close a couple times.
There's a good sense of freedom and equality in everyone getting to be and do what is right for themselves without imposing it on anyone else or believing they are ultimately right. Nor should anyone be in a position to judge someone who lives and believes differently. No one can afford to be so right, even if they are claiming some higher authority or quoting verses from an ancient text or delineating superior knowledge or interpreting a political document. Yet, it goes on and on.
There's some contentment in not having to be right about everything. Besides it appears awfully convenient more that anything else. I had to laugh at myself when I realized the utter impossibility of someone from an obscure part of Pennsylvania possessing the ultimate truth of the universe. As they say, it's a great job if you can get it.
There is a lot to enjoy and celebrate about life. But for some, that is not enough. Having or knowing the answer to everything is crucial. I'm not sure if that's a sincere inquiry or a need to feel superior but regardless, recognizing and accepting the limitations brings even more of a sense of awe and puts the significance of humanity in it's proper place. .....Of course, there's always the possibility that I might be wrong about nobody being totally right.
HALLOWEEN BONUS PIC
I have an idea that on any given day, news of every kind falls far short of the full picture of events and experiences. Media predictably covers what it's always covered. There are the feel good stories that are thrown in but they say little about the day to day getting along and making it through that makes up the life of so many. Here are the tears and the laughter, the joy and sorrow, the weddings and funerals, the births and deaths, the fearful doubting and confident faith that is held in common. Some believe it's our differences that make us who we are and to some extent that's true, but how can you discount the overwhelming sameness?
At first I pursued what was right, then what was right as a sincere Christian. But now, it's what is right for me which I'm pretty sure isn't right for any one else. I'm still a Christian, just not any particular kind of Christian. No, it's not what I ever thought, but it fits. Yet, I'm not about to just see life from this place I now occupy. There is too much more going on. And I'm pretty sure no one has the capacity to put it all together, much less put a frame around it. Besides, I'm still expecting changes. I'm not at the end of the journey, although it's come close a couple times.
There's a good sense of freedom and equality in everyone getting to be and do what is right for themselves without imposing it on anyone else or believing they are ultimately right. Nor should anyone be in a position to judge someone who lives and believes differently. No one can afford to be so right, even if they are claiming some higher authority or quoting verses from an ancient text or delineating superior knowledge or interpreting a political document. Yet, it goes on and on.
There's some contentment in not having to be right about everything. Besides it appears awfully convenient more that anything else. I had to laugh at myself when I realized the utter impossibility of someone from an obscure part of Pennsylvania possessing the ultimate truth of the universe. As they say, it's a great job if you can get it.
There is a lot to enjoy and celebrate about life. But for some, that is not enough. Having or knowing the answer to everything is crucial. I'm not sure if that's a sincere inquiry or a need to feel superior but regardless, recognizing and accepting the limitations brings even more of a sense of awe and puts the significance of humanity in it's proper place. .....Of course, there's always the possibility that I might be wrong about nobody being totally right.
HALLOWEEN BONUS PIC
