A World of Fools and Hypocrites?

“Difference of opinion is advantageous in religion. The several sects perform the office of a Censor morum over each other. Is uniformity attainable? Millions of innocent men, women, and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined, imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity. What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites. To support roguery and error all over the earth. Let us reflect that it is inhabited by a thousand millions of people. That these profess probably a thousand different systems of religion. That ours is but one of that thousand. That if there be but one right, and ours that one, we should wish to see the 999 wandering sects gathered into the fold of truth. But against such a majority we cannot effect this by force. Reason and persuasion are the only practicable instruments. To make way for these, free enquiry must be indulged; and how can we wish others to indulge it while we refuse it ourselves?”

-- Thomas Jefferson

Note to the reader:  There is a faction in the monastery I am affiliated with who would seem to desire a return to the Middle, or Dark, Ages.  At the very least, what they seem to desire is to see "ministerial opinion and quest for knowledge" thrown back to the days of the Inquisitions.  I have presented this quote, by Thomas Jefferson, as part of this post to the monastery blog site as guidance, an appeal for sanity when considering appropriate rules for blogs, discussion, and/or comments.

I think Jefferson made a valid point when he wrote, "What has been the effect of coercion? To make one half the world fools, and the other half hypocrites."  Indeed, is this not what we see continuing to this day in our society?  And now I see it being repeated in an online monastery that might seek to control any discussion of sex on their site.  I offer that there is a distinct difference between discussing the lewd specifics of a sexual act, or acts, and discussing the whys and wherefores of those acts as a means of understanding those that perform them, just as there is a distinct difference between fostering treason and stating the reasons why the treason is occurring.  Do we want to be a traitor?  No.  Do we want to know why treason is occurring?  Absolutely, and I believe this to be true in ministry as well.  You must discuss a subject to gain knowledge of the subject otherwise you are simply a pig staring at a wristwatch.

I think I became a minister for all the right reasons; it was an appropriate time in my life.  I had a message I thought was important because the world seemed to be in turmoil and undergoing a desire for understanding.  In particular, there seemed to be a desire to understand personal faith.  Why does our Bible seem at odds with its own content, and why do the basic tenets, the "teachings," of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, seem lost to our youth.  Perhaps blind faith has led us down a path where the meaning behind these tenets and teachings are lost in the interpretations, and misinterpretations, of their respective scripture.  Perhaps blind faith was never intended.

What we seem to find is an inability of man to interpret the teachings of God.  Why is this inability difficult for the clerics, in particular, to understand?  Because they think it needs to be interpreted for the faithful.  Well. I don't think it does.  God's word is God's word, and it is not opened for interpretation of any man egotistically proclaiming to be the chosen "voice of God on Earth."  God's word is what it is.  You cannot vote to determine or rewrite what scripture, what writings, history, or gospels, will be acceptable.  It is all information which mankind has a right to see and hear.  God wishes this and mankind flies in the face of God's wishes at each and every turn.

I want to know what is in the Vatican archives.  As a Christian, I think I have a right to know.  More importantly, mankind has a right to know, because God intended that we know.  The same holds true for all faiths.  There is no knowledge without truth, and there is no truth without proof.  Once you have seen the truth of the proof, whatever is left unsaid, unseen, and unknown, falls under the purview of personal faith.  But, first, we must strive to understand, to learn.  Intellect is a gift from God and this intellect demands that we discover what we don't know.

We call it the Dark Ages for a reason.  It was a time in human history when intellect and discovery were put on hold by religious fools and hypocrites striving to maintain control of a status quo.  

I vote we learn from history, and Thomas Jefferson, and not travel this road again.  Rule and regulations are fine as long as they don't strangle truth and prevent constructive communication.

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.