Second Star to the Right

'Second star to the right and straight on till morning.' That, Peter had told Wendy, was the way to the Neverland; but even birds, carrying maps and consulting them at windy corners, could not have sighted it with these instructions. Peter, you see, just said anything that came into his head.

-- J.M. Barrie (1860-1937), "Peter Pan" 

Sometimes I think what most Christians, ministers, and priests do, is just say anything that comes into their heads.  Usually, that entails quoting biblical scripture which, then, requires the listener to have a modicum of faith.  Think of it as a horse race.  The Bible, an hour before post time (that would be when it was written) had great odds.  For all intent and purpose, no other horse could beat it.  For that hour before post time, mankind had been working the odds; translating, rewriting, interpreting and reinterpreting, only to find, at the last minute, new information which could very well place this horse on the next glue wagon out of town.  Christianity doesn't have the market cornered here; most religions fail when it comes to forthright honesty. Usually, the golden odds of procuring undying faith of the masses disappear faster than steaks at a soup kitchen.  I think that even the faithful who remain would have to ask, "Why?"

Biblical scholars are beginning to question even the Old Testament.  For instance, called into question are many of the historical events concerning the Israelites.  It has gotten to the point where they question if the entire history of the nation of Israel was "invented" just to give the nation strength and substance in the face of their enemies.  Add to this the contradictions and questions concerning sources, translations, artistic liberties taken by creative monks when transcribing text, and the multiple interpretations (and misinterpretations), and you have a document based purely on faith, yet with little substance.  But isn't this what faith is; a belief in something for which there is little or no proof?

Now, many out there will be shouting, "HERETIC!"  And they might be right.  I will probably answer to the "Big Guy" upstairs when I finally push up daisies.  Lord knows, according to the Bible, man has no right to judge me, only my Master does, according to this very scripture.  They also seemed to have skimmed over that verse which reminds there are no righteous among us.  Not one. Yet they continue to judge everybody, often, and with much pompous flair.  There is also a passage in the "Good Book" that has to do with believing in your heart what you do is right.  This passage might give some of us a shield against another's "righteous" condemnation (I don't remember chapter and verse.  Practice researching; you look this one up).

I have been a Christian since my birth, a Catholic to be precise.  Like most Christians, all I have ever known is the Bible in one narrow interpretation.  I have come to believe there is another heresy infecting Christianity.  This heresy deals with putting too much faith in a book, and not enough faith in Christ and God.  I say, bring it on!  Bring on all the information that proves the bible to be tainted and unreliable.  What will Christians, all the numerous sects that misinterpret scripture to suit their particular heresy, do with the Bible then, burn it?  Heavens no!  The message is sound, and the lessons, though probably fictional parables have a just meaning.  What we all need to do is put scripture on the shelf as a reference document, and start worshiping God as God intended.

And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

-- Exodus 20:1-3

"...no other gods before me."  Not necessarily stating unequivocally there are no other gods.  So that would make us what, monolatrists?  And what of the next verse in Exodus:

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth..."

Exodus 20:4 

Note:  I know I usually italicized quotes, but I want to make a point here.  Ask yourself if the italicized "original script" (shown above) was added, remembering this "original" was probably handwritten in Hebrew, Greek, Egyptian, or Aramaic, and that italics weren't invented until 1500 AD, in Italy, and for a specific purpose.  Gee, exactly how much "change" has been added?  Just how original, and accurate, is our scripture?  It makes one think.  Well, it makes me think.

Merriam-Webster defines "graven image" as: "an object (such as a statue) that is worshipped as a god or in place of a god."  What do most Christians hold before them like some omnipotent shield?  The Bible!  Is it a graven image?  You decide.  I think we have taken a text, doing so with all good intentions, and created an idol of gold.

So where is our map?  Where are our directions to the Kingdom of Heaven?  What makes us think our salvation was ever intended to be so difficult as to require a map?  Remember what Jesus said in Christianity's own scripture:

Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him."

-- John 14:5-7

The Bible, with all its flaws, gives us a taste of the moral, honest, loving, tolerant, giving and forgiving, man that was the Christ.  Without the Bible to hold up as our shield or sword, what do we have?  How do we find the way to heaven?  How about, for once, not just remembering what Jesus said, but understanding it, as well:  "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him."  No book is necessary.

The again, perhaps the Bible has intentional flaws, included to separate the wheat from the chaff; those that truly understand from the "faithful" who think they do but are really without a clue.  Maybe Judaism and Islam are not immune to any of this.  Abrahamic religions are, after all, just man's interpretations of the same truth, handed down from the same God.  

Maybe Peter Pan was saying anything that came into his head because he couldn't fathom any child not having an imagination.  To him, finding Neverland was as simple as, well, just going there.  I think Jesus felt the same way.  Maybe he was the original innocence of the Pan.  Where is heaven?  Don't over think it.  "Second star to the right, and straight on till morning."

You don't need to find that which is already in your grasp.

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.