Why Do I Keep Doing This? (Updated from 10/8/2014)

 

“People have gotten used to living a botched-up life — to be anxious, insecure, hateful, jealous, and in various states of unpleasantness through the day — slowly humanity has begun to see it as normal. None of these things are normal. These are abnormalities. Once you accept them as part of life they become normal because the majority has joined the gang of unpleasantness. They are all saying, "Unpleasantness is normal. Being nasty to each other is normal. Being nasty to myself is normal." Someone trusted that you would be doing good things at least to yourself and said, "Do unto others what you do unto yourself." I am telling you, never do unto others what you are doing to yourself! By being with people, I know what they are doing to themselves is the worst thing. Fortunately, they are not doing such horrible things to others. Only once in a while, they are giving a dose to others, but to themselves, they are giving it throughout the day.”

-- Jaggi Vasudev

 

I constantly asked myself, why I do this blog. I think, like most "ministers" who leave the traditional religious path in favor of more personal spirituality, the answer would be that we're dissatisfied with what we've found in "organized" religion to fulfill our spiritual goals. We have run into hypocrisy, contradiction, and religion that moves more with "political winds" than the spiritual.

Some come for a spiffy "title" or to wear a frock that elevates them to an imaginary station; to make them seem like more than they are.  Some are predators, creeping through monasteries for any unsuspecting prey.  Many are seriously looking for answers, and others are here to truly try to make a difference.  This will be my 1,832nd post on The Path, and I suppose the publishing of twenty to thirty posts a month is evidence of my determination to try and make some difference.

One important thing I have learned after seventy years of life?  You can't make a difference sitting on the sidelines and keeping your mouth shut.  Many of my fellow ministers are content to sit back and watch, or read the posts of others and comment accordingly.  But, this doesn't tell us who they are, other than they are critical without risking criticism.  Those most critical seem content to post blasé articles that expound Christ, peace, and love, which isn't a bad thing, but it takes us nowhere new.  It's like reading a predictable novel, and why would you want to?  

There are times when what I post helps someone on their own path and it seems, to me, that what I do is fulfilling.  There are occasional times when I feel like a pile of beaten dog pooh, as I field grief from people who seem to miss the entire point of my post in favor of hammering me for their opinion of my language or attitude.  There is a positive side to this occasional butt-whipping, however, and it lies in the majority of my readers who tune in specifically because I don't sugarcoat my posts; I tell you just the way I feel, which is, after all, the point.  I've been told that I have no filter.  They say it is refreshing to hear someone not bowing to the hypocrisy of political correctness. Here, here!

I became associated with one female minister who was very trepidatious about writing for public consumption.  She loved reading my posts but had concerns about whether she could do as well.  It took several of us to convince her, that this is not a competition.  Her first attempt was marvelous, and she has been posting ever since.  

You cannot live behind the scenes.  The purest water that doesn't move stagnates.  By the same token, water that moves away from the rock will never wear it down.  We cannot hide from our chosen path, for better or worse, we are upon it.  For someone who takes up the mantle of "minister," the responsibility to "put it out there" and take a risk, becomes even more important.  I think the responsibility of faith, for the spiritual person, eventually bodes the question, "Would you die for them, priest?"  Well, would you?  Christ did, and can we, in good conscience, do any less?

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

-- John 15:13

The other group of "ministers" I've run into are members of the "we're as bad as the people we're trying to escape from" group.  These are people who couldn't wait to get away from the "overbearing" clergy so they could get ordained and become "overbearing" clergy.  They are people who ran from "ridiculous rules and tenets" so they could hide behind their new "ridiculous rules and tenets."  They tend to shake in their boots every time someone rocks the boat.  They go through their lives walking gently and carrying no stick, so as not to be any threat, even to the evil in our midst.  They talk big and cower behind the anonymity of a website where they can be the "most popular" members, and risk nothing to get there.  Blame is not just upon the people, however.  Site managers are just as bad, if not worse.  It is a hard concept, for many to grasp, that no one stood up for Jesus Christ.  Many denied him.  We cannot let ourselves be silenced when we know the cause is just and good.

Granted, we do purchase our ordination.  For some, this is a joke.  Hell, some Catholic priests have diddled little boys.  So, what's in an ordination?  Well, everyone holds themselves to a certain standard.  Some online "ministers" are more qualified, through life experience, to "minister" than those trained in seminary.

I have been putting quotation marks around "minister" for a reason.  Defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a "minister" is "a person whose job involves leading church services, performing religious ceremonies (such as marriages), and providing spiritual or religious guidance to other people."  A "pastor" is a minister or priest in charge of a church, or a person having spiritual care over a number of persons.  In its most basic definition, a "pastor" is simply a shepherd.  They can take any other egotistical title they wish, but they are simply shepherds.  To be serious about your role in the clergy would seem diminished when you take the title of "High Poobah" or "Mistress of the Dark."  It is even more difficult to be taken seriously when you elevate your ego to the level of Bishop, or Cardinal, without first working your way up the ladder.  Titles, even for the clergy, are all about stroking the ego.  I offer the following guidance for those looking for a lofty title:

"And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; whoever humbles himself shall be exalted."

-- Matthew 23:12

"A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor"

-- Proverbs 29:23

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast."

-- Ephesians 2:8-9

"For we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

-- Romans 3:23

"Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

-- Philippians 2:3-11

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility..."

-- Colossians 3:12

And, my favorite, this one not of the Bible.  It brings the rest of the scripture together in one concise thought: 

"Pride must die in you, or nothing in heaven can live in you."

--Andrew Murray

So, why are we ministers? What drives those of us who feel we have a calling to do something more? What are we looking for, and what set us on this path? 

 I wrote the following summation in a post I published several years ago.  I titled it, "The Roll of Clergy." I think it pertains, as well, to the question of why:

"So what is the role of "clergy"? Those ministers in my group don't know. We are, all of us, searching for answers. We do know that it isn't the abortion of Christ's words that organized religion says it is. It isn't to bilk the faithful out of their life savings so we can live in luxury while they want. We are, regardless of religious or spiritual affiliation, pastors. We are shepherds for our individual faiths and beliefs. We should hold no higher designation, title, or expectation of respect than that of a guide on a tour bus. We are here to assist people along their path, in getting from point A to point B. The rest is up to them. We can't save them, any more than a pope. They have to save themselves. This is the true role of "clergy."

-- F.A. Villari

I have to add, in my humble opinion, this should be why a person becomes a minister.  Will it get me on the ferry, and to the other side of the River Styx?  No, probably not.  My boat fills up with "bad" so fast it's like bailing with a thimble.  There comes a time in life when you just have to do the best you can, rescue the women and children first, and, God forbid, go down with the boat.  

But, I'm taking back my Obolos coin from Charon, if I don't make it across. Just saying.

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 view any more right or wrong than the other. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions, 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.

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions offered. After twenty-three years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a 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. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

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 a weapon for his war on intolerance, he chose the pen. He 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 personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com