Extreme.

The transition from life in England to life in Rome, although it has been easier than I would have imagined, has revealed to me many different view points on religion, some for better and some for worse.

In England there is a phenomenon which I like to call ‘extreme secularism’. I became very aware of it as an RE teacher, before coming to seminary. It is a complete closing of the mind to all things spiritual and even a view of religion as a relic of the past that can be of no relevance to our lives in the 22nd century. It can be seen through the parent who asks, ‘why does their child learn RE’? or says, ‘s/he was hoping to drop RE to focus on something else.’ They do not see the relevance or value of RE set within the context of our increasingly pluralistic society or the fact that the world is effectively shrinking in the sense that we are becoming a ‘global village’ evermore aware of the conflicts caused by extremism of one kind or another.

People can be so convinced that their ideology or way of thinking is correct that, in the worst case scenario they are willing to harm or take human life in the name of their beliefs, or in another, perhaps more reflective scenario, they may look down their noses at people who have differing views from them. Fortunately this does not seem to be the case with the vast majority of people I know. Most are indifferent to what religion people belong to, but judge them by their actions and nature – if you are basically a nice genuine person then what does it matter.

The more time I spend at seminary and become increasingly aware of diversity of belief through philosophy and the alternative spiritual literature I am reading, the more I am becoming aware that it does not really mater what you believe but how your beliefs (whether they be religious or secular) inform the way you live and treat others. Maybe religious indifference is the best way to be? It is certainly better than extremism or intolerance of other view points. Something that explains this much better than I can is a poem I used to have on my classroom wall:

“So many paths and so many creeds,
and so many roads that wind and wind.

When just the art of being kind,
is that this world needs.” (Anonymous)

Genuine.

March 5th 2007:
I went for a run today with Fr. B (A ridiculously fit individual, Who I am sure could put me to shame, but always keeps to my pace and is to polite to speed up). Usually our runs take the form of tourist trails and interesting facts about the buildings we pass. Today though after the brief stop and chat with the Cardinal for Catholic Education (unbelievable who you can meet in Rome), I gained a glimpse of some things that were important to Fr. B. He spoke about the commitment you can either make to married life or celibate priesthood, seminary formation, vocation and philosophy – nearly every topic you could envisage a seminarian and priest discussing!

I got a glimpse of his genuine faith and belief in the person and message of Jesus Christ. He spoke of Jesus having the capacity to change lives. He spoke of the fact that Catholicism in the past fell short of preaching this message, save some genuine individuals who put Jesus at the centre of their lives and that there are some people within the church today in positions of office that do not really believe or realise the great gift the church has, but are more concerned with the institution and ritual.

When you get to the heart of any religion I am convinced that it can change lives by altering an individual's outlook and giving meaning, peace and purpose. As I said before isn’t that what religion should be about? I am sure if all religious people thought like him and had reflected upon their beliefs and faith as much as he has we would not have religious intolerance but confidence.

Signposts.

I received a really good book from a friend over Christmas called, ‘The Song of the Bird’ by Antony de Mello. It is a collection of short stories and poems with hidden meanings. One that has particularly struck a cord with me is ‘The Devil and his Friend.’

‘The devil once went for a walk with his friend. They saw a man stoop down and pick something up from the ground.

“What did that man find?” asked the friend.

“A piece of truth,” said the devil.

“Doesn’t that disturb you?” asked the friend.

“No,” said the devil. “I shall let him make a belief out of it.”

(The Song of the Bird by Antony de Mello)

Each religion/philosophy would argue that they have the fullness of truth. They guard it, hold onto it and cherish it, with each one claiming to be doing what is pleasing to God. Many are not willing to budge over certain issues and some even resort to violence to justify their views.

What if these beliefs are only elements of the truth and reality? What if they are meant to evolve and change? Should we allow them to grow and mature? Is a truth worth holding onto if it is only partial truth and if from that truth come other beliefs that are of human creation and not divine?