You mistake the nature of faith.
Faith is faith.
Faith is not knowledge.
Personal faith may "feel" like knowledge.
Personal faith may even move one to say: "We hold these truths to be self-evident."
Nevertheless, it is a fact -- "plain as potatoes" -- that faith is not knowledge.
By definition, faith is not provable knowledge.
That's why it's called "faith."
If it were "knowledge," they would not call it "faith."
This is not a difficult concept Karen, except that the truth terrifies you, and so you feel compelled to bury it, to deny it, to flee, shutter, stonewall.
We humans simply can not know if anyone's foundational beliefs are absolutely true.
It is within the nature faith that it cannot be known, not in any provable or demonstrable way.
No matter how much evidence is gathered, no matter how convinced the faithful may be, no matter how mystical the experience that informs one's conviction, faith must remain faith and not pretend to "cross over" to the domain of knowledge.
For in the acting of crossing over -- of transmuting, transmogrifying, transubstantiating --from one thing to another, the original thing -- faith -- ceases to be itself, or, given the impossibility of such transformation, faith breaks faith with itself in the very attempt to become something it isn't.
What we have always called "faith" is simply - and precisely - what the word "says" - faith.
Faith is not knowledge.
Personal faith may "feel" like knowledge.
Personal faith may even move one to say: "We hold these truths to be self-evident."
Nevertheless, it is a fact -- "plain as potatoes" -- that faith is not knowledge.
By definition, faith is not provable knowledge.
That's why it's called "faith."
If it were "knowledge," they would not call it "faith."
This is not a difficult concept Karen, except that the truth terrifies you, and so you feel compelled to bury it, to deny it, to flee, shutter, stonewall.
We humans simply can not know if anyone's foundational beliefs are absolutely true.
It is within the nature faith that it cannot be known, not in any provable or demonstrable way.
No matter how much evidence is gathered, no matter how convinced the faithful may be, no matter how mystical the experience that informs one's conviction, faith must remain faith and not pretend to "cross over" to the domain of knowledge.
For in the acting of crossing over -- of transmuting, transmogrifying, transubstantiating --from one thing to another, the original thing -- faith -- ceases to be itself, or, given the impossibility of such transformation, faith breaks faith with itself in the very attempt to become something it isn't.
What we have always called "faith" is simply - and precisely - what the word "says" - faith.
For example, I have faith that Merton's view of love is central to human life: "Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy."
Jesus himself expresses this same sentiment, going as far as to say: "Love your enemies."
In Matthew's fifth chapter, the Nazarene says: "You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?"
It needs to be said that the Jewish "tax collectors" who labored to support and sustain Rome's occupying army were not just seen as traitors. They were seen as the worst sort of traitors, working to insure Isreal's ongoing occupation by Rome, simultaneously paying themselves with dirty money from the traitorously ill-gotten tax fund. To be clear, "tax collectors" represent just some of the VILE enemies whom Jesus tells us to love.
It's as if "conservative" "Christians" (who, by the way, are neither) spend their lives trying to identify people they can "safely" damn, people they can rejoice in hating: Jeffrey Epstein, Harvey Weintein, the Clintons, "the baby killers," and -- for the many racists on the right side of the aisle -- including Donald Trump himself -- Barack Obama, the most convenient of all whipping boys is taken from pillory to post just like generations of black slaves before him.
Jesus himself expresses this same sentiment, going as far as to say: "Love your enemies."
In Matthew's fifth chapter, the Nazarene says: "You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?"
It needs to be said that the Jewish "tax collectors" who labored to support and sustain Rome's occupying army were not just seen as traitors. They were seen as the worst sort of traitors, working to insure Isreal's ongoing occupation by Rome, simultaneously paying themselves with dirty money from the traitorously ill-gotten tax fund. To be clear, "tax collectors" represent just some of the VILE enemies whom Jesus tells us to love.
It's as if "conservative" "Christians" (who, by the way, are neither) spend their lives trying to identify people they can "safely" damn, people they can rejoice in hating: Jeffrey Epstein, Harvey Weintein, the Clintons, "the baby killers," and -- for the many racists on the right side of the aisle -- including Donald Trump himself -- Barack Obama, the most convenient of all whipping boys is taken from pillory to post just like generations of black slaves before him.
If my description is not true, might we hear you say: "I love Jeffrey Epstein," "I love Bill and Hil," "I love America's abortionists."
After all,"Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy."
After all,"Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy."
Returning to the cornerstone "definitional truth" that "faith is faith and not knowledge," I direct your attention to Hitler's view that Jews were subhuman vermin who needed to be exterminated in order to achieve the great good -- the Summum Bonum -- of ridding humankind of their deadly, persistent, cancerous corruption.
It was Hitler's "faith" which conceived Jews as not only suitable targets for extermination, but as necessary targets for extermination.
In fact, Hitler's Final Solution impressed der fuhrer as righteousness.
The apogee of righteousness.
And thus motivated to rid the world of evil once and for all -- as if he were fighting an end-time battle -- Hitler became a man "on a mission."
It was Hitler's "faith" which conceived Jews as not only suitable targets for extermination, but as necessary targets for extermination.
In fact, Hitler's Final Solution impressed der fuhrer as righteousness.
The apogee of righteousness.
And thus motivated to rid the world of evil once and for all -- as if he were fighting an end-time battle -- Hitler became a man "on a mission."
Many people believe that human beings are nothing but clever apes, animals who can deliberately (or randomly) destroy... and FEEL GOOD about it.
Often these apes feel righteous about destruction -- see themselves as ordained agents of destiny or deity,
Many of these people believe destruction, death, torment and torture are not just optional goods, but obligatory virtues - moral obligations.
As Simone Weil observed: "Evil, when we are in its power, is not felt as evil, but as necessity, even a duty."
Often these apes feel righteous about destruction -- see themselves as ordained agents of destiny or deity,
Many of these people believe destruction, death, torment and torture are not just optional goods, but obligatory virtues - moral obligations.
As Simone Weil observed: "Evil, when we are in its power, is not felt as evil, but as necessity, even a duty."
Because you mistake faith for "certain knowledge," you are unable to imagine the boundless scope of faith -- how people can have faith in ANYTHING, and may even feel certain-beyond-doubt that the tenets of their faith are unquestionably true - self-evidently true.
And because - as Eric Hoffer observed -- "absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power" the most dangerous belief in the world is that one's "chosen faith" embodies "The One and Only True Faith."
And where there is "One, True Faith," all the barbarities of crusades, inquisitions and witch hunts reside cheek-by-jowl with the absolutist "frame of mind."
At the outset, imposition of "The One, True Faith" seems absolutely good to every "True Believer." Indeed, imposition of The One, True Faith begins as a perceived kindness, "leading people out of darkness into the One, True Light." But it is never long, typically a matter of decades when such imposition on the world of human affairs results in disaster.
After just two centuries, the United States is surrendering global hegemony to China with genocide, slavery and a ghastly Civil War strewn on its remarkably short path.
Here is how Thomas Merton put it: "The terrible thing about our time is precisely the ease with which theories can be put into practice. The more perfect, the more idealistic the theories, the more dreadful is their realization. We are at last beginning to rediscover what perhaps men knew better in very ancient times, in primitive times before utopias were thought of: that liberty is bound up with imperfection, and that limitations, imperfections, errors are not only unavoidable but also salutary. The best is not the ideal. Where what is theoretically best is imposed on everyone as the norm, then there is no longer any room even to be good. The best, imposed as a norm, becomes evil.” "Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander,” by Trappist monk, Father Thomas Merton
"The best, imposed as a norm, becomes evil."
If you (or other readers) would like to see how "The Best... becomes evil," I draw your attention to the theocratic rule of Dominican priest Girolamo Savonarola in 15th century Florence.
You can only "bang the bible" so long - and so hard - before "The Good Book" becomes a lethal weapon.
But to understand this truth, one must first understand the central importance of "paradox" and "irony" in human affairs.
Almost always we are in deepest need of "uncommon sense" not "common sense" and it is paradox and irony that imbue us with this uncommon quality.
Tragically, you, Karen, "know it all" already, and you refuse to learn anything "new" because, as St. Paul assures you: "The wisdom of this world is foolishness before God." (Nor is Trump's ferocious refusal to learn lost on me.)
Here is my advice to anyone who holds the so-called "intellectual elites" in contempt.
1.) Learn something.
2.) Learn how to learn.
3.) Don’t be proud of your ignorance.
4.) If you’re a "Christian" "conservative," don’t think Jesus wants you to be stupid.
5.) Don’t be cruel. Just loving people without first asking if "they’re deserving” will get you through The Pearly Gates much more certainly than licking Malignant Messiah’s boots. (Or licking what you presume to be St. Paul's sandals.)
6.) It is also important to realize that making Donald Trump a role model for America's children was an egregious act of Child Abuse - certainly the most widespread instance of Child Abuse in American history.
Given the rigidity of your beliefs -- given the self-imposed blindness of your "faith" -- it is tragically unlikely that you will break free from your self-made trap.
Of course, you can break free at any time.
But here is how you've stacked the deck against yourself.
Speaking of St. Paul reminds me that you never replied to my long-standing invitation.
Your failure to reply is not surprising because there is nothing you can say without embarrassing or compromising yourself as a "true believer."
Either you acknowledge that Paul meant that "the love of money is the root of all evil," or, you agree that anyone can blow off any plainly-stated biblical verse in favor of their personal opinion.
Like you, I would not throw myself on the horns of THAT dilemma.
And at the other extreme, the secular extreme, the prospect of acknowledging Trump's indefensibility would destroy your belief in the unfailing goodness of Malignant Messiah.
So the bottom line is to let your feelings stand in the way of Truth.
How sad.
Here's the deal Karen...
You cannot even imagine any truth that might contradict your own beliefs because YOU MUST BE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
You are frantic to be right, and even more frantic to be absolutely right.
And this abiding panic distills to "that" pesky doubt you just cannot eradicate.
"That" doubt does not even disappear when you and your fellow Christians are engaged in the most manic phase of your shared bipolarity.
And because - as Eric Hoffer observed -- "absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power" the most dangerous belief in the world is that one's "chosen faith" embodies "The One and Only True Faith."
And where there is "One, True Faith," all the barbarities of crusades, inquisitions and witch hunts reside cheek-by-jowl with the absolutist "frame of mind."
At the outset, imposition of "The One, True Faith" seems absolutely good to every "True Believer." Indeed, imposition of The One, True Faith begins as a perceived kindness, "leading people out of darkness into the One, True Light." But it is never long, typically a matter of decades when such imposition on the world of human affairs results in disaster.
After just two centuries, the United States is surrendering global hegemony to China with genocide, slavery and a ghastly Civil War strewn on its remarkably short path.
Here is how Thomas Merton put it: "The terrible thing about our time is precisely the ease with which theories can be put into practice. The more perfect, the more idealistic the theories, the more dreadful is their realization. We are at last beginning to rediscover what perhaps men knew better in very ancient times, in primitive times before utopias were thought of: that liberty is bound up with imperfection, and that limitations, imperfections, errors are not only unavoidable but also salutary. The best is not the ideal. Where what is theoretically best is imposed on everyone as the norm, then there is no longer any room even to be good. The best, imposed as a norm, becomes evil.” "Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander,” by Trappist monk, Father Thomas Merton
"The best, imposed as a norm, becomes evil."
If you (or other readers) would like to see how "The Best... becomes evil," I draw your attention to the theocratic rule of Dominican priest Girolamo Savonarola in 15th century Florence.
Read the following cautionary tale of Savonarola, who - despite his impeccable personal life (and quite likely due to his impeccable personal life) - brought disaster upon 15th century Firenze.
Just four years after taking office, Savonarola's "righteous" rule of Florence crashed and burned - another "Bonfire of the Vanities," this time his own. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girolamo_Savonarola
And now, just three years into Trump's "administration," another "Bonfire of the Vanities" is ablaze.
And now, just three years into Trump's "administration," another "Bonfire of the Vanities" is ablaze.
But to understand this truth, one must first understand the central importance of "paradox" and "irony" in human affairs.
Almost always we are in deepest need of "uncommon sense" not "common sense" and it is paradox and irony that imbue us with this uncommon quality.
Tragically, you, Karen, "know it all" already, and you refuse to learn anything "new" because, as St. Paul assures you: "The wisdom of this world is foolishness before God." (Nor is Trump's ferocious refusal to learn lost on me.)
Here is my advice to anyone who holds the so-called "intellectual elites" in contempt.
1.) Learn something.
2.) Learn how to learn.
3.) Don’t be proud of your ignorance.
4.) If you’re a "Christian" "conservative," don’t think Jesus wants you to be stupid.
5.) Don’t be cruel. Just loving people without first asking if "they’re deserving” will get you through The Pearly Gates much more certainly than licking Malignant Messiah’s boots. (Or licking what you presume to be St. Paul's sandals.)
6.) It is also important to realize that making Donald Trump a role model for America's children was an egregious act of Child Abuse - certainly the most widespread instance of Child Abuse in American history.
Given the rigidity of your beliefs -- given the self-imposed blindness of your "faith" -- it is tragically unlikely that you will break free from your self-made trap.
Of course, you can break free at any time.
But here is how you've stacked the deck against yourself.
"The Love Of Money Is The Root Of All Evil" - An Open Invitation To Christian Conservatives
Your failure to reply is not surprising because there is nothing you can say without embarrassing or compromising yourself as a "true believer."
Either you acknowledge that Paul meant that "the love of money is the root of all evil," or, you agree that anyone can blow off any plainly-stated biblical verse in favor of their personal opinion.
Like you, I would not throw myself on the horns of THAT dilemma.
And at the other extreme, the secular extreme, the prospect of acknowledging Trump's indefensibility would destroy your belief in the unfailing goodness of Malignant Messiah.
So the bottom line is to let your feelings stand in the way of Truth.
How sad.
Here's the deal Karen...
You cannot even imagine any truth that might contradict your own beliefs because YOU MUST BE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.
You are frantic to be right, and even more frantic to be absolutely right.
And this abiding panic distills to "that" pesky doubt you just cannot eradicate.
"That" doubt does not even disappear when you and your fellow Christians are engaged in the most manic phase of your shared bipolarity.
“Those who believe that they believe in God, but without passion in their hearts, without anguish in mind, without uncertainty, without doubt, without an element of despair even in their consolation, believe only in the God idea, not God Himself.” Miguel de Unamuno
And so, because you must keep banging the bible to prove its inerrant truth (mostly an attempt to prove it to yourself) anyone who is not EXACTLY like you in their core beliefs is a God-damned infidel destined to spend eternity in The Lake of Unquenchable Fire.
Your bottom line is a kind of "exlusionary selfishness" supported by your shaky faith in "personal" salvation.
In "The Brothers Karamazov," Dostoevsky recounted a GREAT fable about the relationship between selfishness and salvation. It's titled "The Parable Of The Onion" and can be read in a minute or so: http://www.monksway.com/2014/02/27/dostoevsky-and-the-russian-fable-of-the-onion-and-ash-wednesday/
You constantly try to re-vivify your flagging belief in "personal" salvation by your entwined belief that infidels (and other evil-doers) will spend eternity roasting on a divinely-ordained spit.
If you can beat them down -- all the way to Hell -- surely this proof of your righteous dedication to The Will of God will, as a corollary lift you up to heaven.
Your bottom line is a kind of "exlusionary selfishness" supported by your shaky faith in "personal" salvation.
In "The Brothers Karamazov," Dostoevsky recounted a GREAT fable about the relationship between selfishness and salvation. It's titled "The Parable Of The Onion" and can be read in a minute or so: http://www.monksway.com/2014/02/27/dostoevsky-and-the-russian-fable-of-the-onion-and-ash-wednesday/
You constantly try to re-vivify your flagging belief in "personal" salvation by your entwined belief that infidels (and other evil-doers) will spend eternity roasting on a divinely-ordained spit.
If you can beat them down -- all the way to Hell -- surely this proof of your righteous dedication to The Will of God will, as a corollary lift you up to heaven.
I believe your unhappiness Karen comes down to your faith in a fundamentally punitive world view (and your co-related belief in a "beyond-the-world" view) that goodness, justice and righteousness depend on torture and torment to "make things right."
In this essentially Old Testamental view of the world (and the universe), "punishment is justice" and Yahweh is a distant, cold, jealous, implacable "thunder-sky god," certainly not the embodiment of someone who could not have been clearer - or kinder - when he said: "Love your enemies" and "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
You will proclaim with your dying breath that you KNOW The Will of God - at least as it relates to the unbending "righteousness" of torment and torture - when, in fact, neither you, nor anyone else, knows for sure.
All of us -- you, me, David, Rachel, Matthew, Randy, Joe Blow -- choose our articles of faith and then we proceed to re-make ourselves in the image of our self-chosen God.
Jesuit friend Tom Weston observed: "You can safely assume you've created God in your own image when it turns out God hates all the same people you do."
In case "some of this" gets through, I do not want to leave you without guidance, without a new compass.
Here is a way to get out of The Cave.
In this essentially Old Testamental view of the world (and the universe), "punishment is justice" and Yahweh is a distant, cold, jealous, implacable "thunder-sky god," certainly not the embodiment of someone who could not have been clearer - or kinder - when he said: "Love your enemies" and "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do."
"There is no fear in love.
But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.
The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.
The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
1 John 4:18
You will proclaim with your dying breath that you KNOW The Will of God - at least as it relates to the unbending "righteousness" of torment and torture - when, in fact, neither you, nor anyone else, knows for sure.
All of us -- you, me, David, Rachel, Matthew, Randy, Joe Blow -- choose our articles of faith and then we proceed to re-make ourselves in the image of our self-chosen God.
Jesuit friend Tom Weston observed: "You can safely assume you've created God in your own image when it turns out God hates all the same people you do."
In case "some of this" gets through, I do not want to leave you without guidance, without a new compass.
Here is a way to get out of The Cave.
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