The Joys (Perils) of Detail

I'm reading a book (actually, skimming it) for a reading group I'm in. It's The Bible After Babel: Historical Criticism in a Postmodern Age by John Collins. This is one of those highly technical books of which about 87.5% goes over my head. And the remaining 12.5% gets me really thinking!

I've read several particle physics books that had the same effect.

In this book, the author spends enormous amounts of time looking at how Bible scholars interpret the Bible. Suffice it to say, they argue about issues I didn't know existed. The primary focus is "Does my (your) agenda when reading the Bible provide sufficient bias that I (you) can never be sure that what you're reading or interpreting really means what (I) you think it means?"

If you find that last sentence confusing, welcome to The Bible After Babel!

But here is what got me thinking. As I begins to look at how beliefs affect my life (not just Bible interpretation) I can take two directions. I can focus on dissecting beliefs down to the smallest non-divisible parts and deciding if they are right or wrong.

Or I can begin zooming out, for lack of a better analogy, and looking at the outcomes in my life and how they may be generated by the beliefs I hold.

I've had experience with both. My exercise with organized religion consisted of a deeper and deeper analysis of what I believed, a constant struggle with how to determine the truth or error of those beliefs and finally wrestling with a number of techniques to "get it right." This focus on "rightness" was ultimately useless, painful and damaging to me and those around me.

It came to head in my marriage and in my relationships with my sons. I determined to find another way.

Over some time, and with help from many kind and patience souls, I did.

This approach was a "zoomed out" approach and the fundamental question was, "Are my beliefs creating the results that I want in my life?" In my case, at that time, the answer was a resounding "NO!"

This led to a ten year long process of learning how to look at the results I was getting in my life, whether I determined them to be good or bad, and then exploring the beliefs that lead to these results.

This was at times a terrifying quest. The bedrock beliefs and ideals that I had held and defended for years turned out to be extremely counter productive. As an example, the belief that there was a right way and a wrong way led me overlook all kinds of rotten behavior because the results of that behavior were deemed right by some religious authority. And conversely, behavior that had been deemed wrong or evil by those same authorities, frequently created results that led to my being more compassionate, caring and in integrity with myself and others.

Yoiks!

In my view, the beauty of this zoomed out approach are numerous and here are several.

First, my sense of self is not tied to any belief. I am free to explore other ways of thinking, feeling and experiencing life without guilt or fear.

Second, surprisingly, since one of the beliefs I've discovered to have great benefit in my life is to treat others as I would like to be treated. But truly embracing this belief, my moral compass seems far more finely tuned than I ever remember it being before. No longer do I have to consult some highly detailed rule set to determine my behaviour, I can simple ask myself the question, "How would I feel if someone did what I am considering to me?"

Third, in those moments when overwhelmed by some other influence (usually my sense of "rightness") , I violate the above principle, the question becomes, "How would I want someone to deal with it if what I did to this person what was done to me?" Then my apology is quick and sincere.

Finally, and this part is really interesting, by adopting this highly introspective and selfish approach (what feels the best to me), I end up offending and hurting people far less often than I used to. And my level of honest and integrity is much higher to boot! When it is necessary, I can use whatever tool I need to get outcome I want. However, most of the time, the tools I use are far softer and safer than the cruel, uncaring, manipulative tools I used to use.

Upon reflection, this is explanation is not complete. But it is a start.

Here, I guess, is a summary. Analyzing the results of my actions for their effect is a far better tool for living a fulfilled life than constantly referencing a set of rules.

Any comments?

Ya Don't Know Wether to Laugh or Cry?

It's happened again. Another high-profile evangelical has hit the skids. And, I don't know how to feel.

Haggard is apparently a very effective guy. He had James Dobson in his pocket (more on that in a sec) and conference called with the White House weekly. And he was for the environment but against gay marriage but hadn't opposed a civil union law.

And yet out of the gate he tries to save his butt with the "I didn't inhale" defense. I don't understand that approach. It certainly didn't work for Bill Clinton nor anyone else who's tried it.

I do feel sorry for the guy. I've had some personal 2X4's catch me square between the eyes, but then again, he had all the tools he needed to keep on the straight and narrow. But it appears he intentionally sidestepped the very important checks and balances that accountability provides.

But here is what really dings me. All those 14,000 parishioners and who knows how many thousands more that have been held to an impossibly high standard (at least it was impossible for Haggard) and have wrestled with guilt and shame. What about them?

And now back to Dobson. I understand defending a friend. But his initial defense was a knee-jerk accusation of "election politics by Democrats." Once he got the word on Haggard, that defense fell quickly by the wayside. I'm willing to bet we will never see a retraction on the accusation of election politics.

Here is what I don't get about Dobson, how many times can he get it complete wrong and still have any credibility with his followers?

Ok, enough rummaging in the mud.

Carolyn and I watched "What the Bleep Do We Know?" last night. What a fun breath of fresh air that was. I wasn't all that impressed with JZ channelling Ramtha, but Dr. Joe Dispenza was pretty impressive!

I highly recommend the movie. Parts of it are a little woo woo, but generally, the idea that "reality" is a creation of my thoughts held together very well.

Hey, it's almost the holiday season! This will be fun!