The Path Less Traveled (Updated from 11/02/2014)

 

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

-- Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken"

The path less traveled, or the road not taken?  Try defining your life in these terms, then ask yourself, "Why?"  Why did you take the road less traveled?  Why did you take the one everybody else took?  Why haven't you made a choice at all?  The last one is easy because you made a choice simply by not choosing.  But, why make a choice to not choose?

In the material and physical world there are many reasons why we don't choose a particular path; fear of financial burden, fear of emotional distress, fear of loss of insecurity, fear for others, fear of others, fear for your physical self, and the like.  I think we don't take a particular path out of fear, and whatever you feel is basically fear of the unknown.  Some people conquer their fear by staring it right in the face, like those who free climb, BASE jump, purchase high-risk stocks, take a blind date, or eat sushi.  But what about our spiritual risk?

Penn Gillette, of Penn & Teller fame, wrote a book called, God, No!, in which he discusses, among other things, signs that you may already be an atheist.  Mr. Gillette is very forthcoming about being an atheist and also thinks atheists should be a little less confrontational with theists.  He points out that atheists will be the first ones to tell theists to "sit down and shut up" while doing exactly the opposite.  It is a point well made.  He also states, as I also believe, that life isn't about whether or not you believe in God, it is about doing the righteous, moral, things in life.  I hesitate to mention this to Mr. Gillette, but it might be construed as a sign that you may already be a theist.

He brings up an interesting point, though.  Why do you have to believe in God to live a righteous and moral life?  The laws of God are set down in the Ten Commandments.  If I understand Gillette's point, then the fourth commandment is the only one an atheist should take issue with:  "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy."  Commandments 1-3 are non-players as they do not believe in God, therefore, there will be no gods... at all; no graven images to worship because there will be no gods...at all; can't take the name of the Lord thy God in vain because there is no God, and to do so would mean you put some credence to the idea there might be.  So number four would be the sticking point, yet atheists take the day off just like the Christians which is a bit hypocritical but, then, they also look forward to that Christmas holiday season that they refuse to acknowledge yet they still take the time without argument.

So, all things considered, is not acknowledging one commandment enough to bar one from heaven?  How many "Christians" actually hold the Sabbath holy, anymore?  And, after we debate the number of these that fail through their hypocrisy, are they any different, and perhaps even worse, than the atheist who lives a righteous, moral life?  Gillette declares he is not a "relativist," as do I.  But this would seem to run contrary to his vehement disagreement with a belief in God.  

"Relativism lacks the humility required to affirm that someone’s belief may in fact be true.  The gospel enables us to boldly and humbly engage in dialogue around our belief that life is found in God.  Boldness is derived from the fact that we believe deeply.  Humility is derived from the recognition that what we know, we know because of God’s grace."

-- warehouse242.org

(This is excerpted from an interesting article that includes an episode that happened to Penn Gillette after a show when confronted by a Christian.  http://www.warehouse242.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Struck_Seven_April17.pdf)

If he considers himself not to be a relativist, then he, by definition, must admit to having "the humility required to affirm that someone's belief may, in fact, be true."  If this isn't true then I have totally missed something important, which would be nothing new.

I've been using Penn Gillette for several reasons.  One is that I respect the man.  Oh, I dislike him for many of the same reasons I respect him.  The other was to work my way, and yours, through to the quote on "Relativism" and my paragraph on being a "relativist," just above.  Now that I've taken a long route to get here, let's go back to the beginning, the first paragraph.  Try describing your life as a non-relativist.  Try defining your spirituality, your religious beliefs, or just your personal beliefs.  Now look at any mainstream Christian church you are familiar with.  Are they relativists, or do they practice "the humility required to affirm that someone's belief may, in fact, be true?"

When it comes to taking a fork in the road, the path less traveled or the road not taken, I'm a firm believer in asking yourself the all-important question, "Why?"  But, after you've asked the question and chosen a direction, remember the quote above:  "The gospel enables us to boldly and humbly engage in dialogue around our belief that life is found in God.  Boldness is derived from the fact that we believe deeply.  Humility is derived from the recognition that what we know, we know because of God’s grace."  

Sometimes our dialogue is within ourselves as we work through decisions in life, but, regardless of our decision, we must remember that our boldness is derived from our deep belief, and our humility from recognizing what we know, we know because of God's grace.  Sometimes, after we have made our list of the pros and cons to a decision, we need to take one more look inside and see what is in our hearts.  Sometimes we need to humble ourselves in the deep belief that there is a power greater than ourselves wanting us to find the strength and boldness to take the other road.  Sometimes the "why" is less important than our need to do it.

 This boldness to take the other road, regardless of our decision, might make all the difference.

“Why did you want to climb Mount Everest?” This question was asked of George Leigh Mallory, who was with both expeditions toward the summit of the world’s highest mountain, in 1921 and 1922, and who is now in New York. He plans to go again in 1924, and he gave as the reason for persisting in these repeated attempts to reach the top, “Because it’s there.”

“Everest is the highest mountain in the world, and no man has reached its summit. Its existence is a challenge. The answer is instinctive, a part, I suppose, of man’s desire to conquer the universe.”

-- New York Times, March 18,1923

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