If a religion leads to non-duality without insisting upon an end to
diversity; if it teaches compassion and how to manifest it; if it
demands holiness and points the way toward it, then it is good. But if
it holds its truth to be the only truth; if it insists that its
followers alone are holy; if it offers salvation at the edge of a
sword; if it promotes self without teaching selflessness; if its love
of God excuses hatred of others and betrayal of Creation, then it is a
an evil and dangerous faith. ~Rabbi Rami Shapiro
Religion is True, False, and Useful
By Ian Lawton
Susan Jeffers wrote a powerful book called End the Struggle and Dance
with Life. In the story, an old woman is asked why she is always
cheerful. Her answer is beautiful. "Well, I wear this world just as a
loose garment." To wear the world as a loose garment means to embrace
life with passion, but neither to smother it, nor be smothered by it.
Wearing the world as a loose garment speaks of comfort with what lies
beneath, accepting life is it evolves, but not expecting it to stay
the same.
Wearing the world as a loose garment brings to my mind a cool summer
breeze, or a warm winter sun. It brings to mind a lazy evening
listening to music or pancakes and the weekend papers. It implies no
hurry, for there is nowhere else to be, no judgment for everything is
as it should be.
Wearing the world as a loose garment is a metaphor for holding the
balance between embrace and detachment, intimacy and autonomy, the
present moment and impermanence.
Narada, the disciple of Krishna, once asked his teacher about
impermanence. Krishna had Narada travel with him in a desert. After
walking for a while, Krishna told Narada to fetch him water since he
was very thirsty. Narada immediately left in search of water. He
reached a village where he met a beautiful young girl. He married and
lived with her for 12 happy years. Then a flood took Narada’s wife,
children and all his possessions. He began to weep and wail. He then
heard a gentle voice behind him: "My child, where is the water you had
gone to fetch? I have been waiting for half-an-hour."
Impermanence is living 12 years as if only 30 minutes. Saint Paul said
something similar, “To the Lord, a thousand years are as a day!” All
the dramas, trials and struggles of life are real and tough, but in
the scheme of life they are fleeting. Why do we expect anything else?
Religion is also impermanent. What might it mean to wear religion as a
loose garment?
There is an expression- “To the Romans, all religions are equally
true. To the philosophers, all religions are equally false. To the
politicians, all religions are equally useful.”
Let me suggest that all religions are true, false and useful.
All religions are true!
Your religion is a loose fitting garment that you wear around the
house. It’s not so much that it fits. You make it fit. It feels
comfortable and familiar and so you rest in it. At certain times, it
begins to feel old and worn, so you find a new religion or else adjust
your religion to make it work. It’s true insofar as it’s what you need
to believe to make sense of your current circumstances. In other
words, its true for now.
As for the Romans, they just loved diversity. Religion for them was a
trip to the mall of human civilization; store upon store of color and
style. The Romans enjoyed pluralism, and said that all faiths were
equal. They integrated different worldviews and used them for the
advancement of the Empire.
On the other hand, not all truth is equal. One size does not fit all,
even with a loose fitting garment. There are times when the critique
of others can sharpen our religion. So we can enjoy our partial truth,
and learn from the partial truth of others.
Lastly, we can celebrate the perennial wisdom that emerges from all
religions. As our field of vision expands, more and more is included
until there is no outside and there is not even one who is looking.
All is One and integrated and interdependent.
All religions are false!
So for the Romans, all religions were true, that is unless they
threatened Roman rule. The philosophers were cynical for good reason.
When a religion claims to have exclusive truth, it becomes false.
Religions seem inevitably to end up making exclusive, dogmatic and
hateful claims.
There always comes a time to toss the loose fitting garment. It’s like
Grandpa’s slippers, full of holes. Religion that eschews science and
common sense is full of holes and needs to be upgraded.
When the loose fitting garment claims to be more than it is, or when
you hide behind a loose fitting garment for fear of allowing your
humanity to flourish, you move from comfort to false humility
Religion that is held onto too tightly, as if it will last forever, is
false.
On the positive side, the realization that our religion is partial and
ever changing is liberating beyond words. We can enjoy it, and then
let it evolve.
All religions are useful!
Religion is just a tool. The partial truth and the partial falseness
of our religion is a useful tool for inner transformation.
We’ve all seen people use their religion for good and ill. Do you
remember in the 2004 U.S. presidental debates seeing Bush and Kerry
jockeying for the religious vote? Their religions were different, but
they were wearing them on stage like lycra, hugging their policies
tight. The religious vote is useful, especially in this country.
Religious language and perspective has been convenient for leaders
looking to justify their agendas.
This is false religion, but not all useful religion is false.
Religion is useful when its used as a tool or a road map, a menu or a
pointed finger. It points to something beyond itself, to the peace
that passes understanding without avoiding conflict, to compassion
that ties the bonds of love without becoming enmeshed, to the
celebration of impermanence without escape from time.
Allan Watts warned against “sucking the finger for fear of following
it.” If we try and eat the menu, we are left with a sour taste. If we
try and drive on the map, we are left with a big mess. If, on the
other hand, we use religion as the tool that it is, it will open up
treasures for us.
This last weekend, we celebrated the usefulness of religion. Rabbi
Rami Shapiro was superb; engaging, irreverent and profound. He drew me
back to Christianity, convincing me that Christianity is my baggy
sweater that shifts and sags according to my shape. He showed me the
truth of celebrating my tradition’s images and history. He showed me
the falseness of holding too tightly to Christianity and urged me to
embrace “not knowing.” Above all else, he inspired me that there is
much more to learn and so much more to experience. My religion will be
one tool that will direct me to dwell in possibility.
He came as a Rabbi, but stole not my religion from me. In fact he gave
me so much more. He showed me that there is nothing to steal, and
everything to gain.
Ryokan, a Zen master, lived the simplest kind of life in a little hut
at the foot of a mountain. One evening a thief visited the hut only to
discover there was nothing to steal.
Ryokan returned and caught him. "You have come a long way to visit
me," he told the prowler, "and you should not return empty-handed.
Please take my clothes as a gift."
The thief was bewildered. He took the clothes and slunk away.
Ryoken sat naked, watching the moon. "Poor fellow," he mused, "I wish
I could have given him this beautiful moon."
Rami came to our community as a Rabbi teaching us about Jesus. He
stole nothing. In fact, he gave us so much. He gave us no less than a
beautiful moon, shining light on the perennial wisdom of all things
being One.
Honoring the Life of Meister Eckhart
excerpt from the website 'Spirituality and Practice'...
Meister Eckhart (1260-1329) was a Dominican priest and theologian who
exerts a hold on many contemporary spiritual writers. Long ago, he
made the startling declaration that God and human beings are already
bonded together, already in intimate contact. The only obstacle is our
consciousness and the dreadful construction of dualism that constricts
our ongoing divinization. This mystical understanding got him in
trouble with the Catholic church, and in 1326, he was accused of
heresy. He responded but the bull of Pope John XXII issued on March
27, 1329, speaks of him as already dead.
On this anniversary of his death, his cogent and soul-stretching
quotations are invigorating. They nourish us and challenge us to step
into the spiritual adventure with him. Pick one of the quotations —
all are by Eckhart, and we note the book where we found it. Make the
quote your own by placing it on your desk or carry it in your wallet.
Read the quote during the day and let it seep into your consciousness.
God Is Everywhere
"One who truly has God will have Him in all places, in the streets and
in the world, no less than in the church."
(Meister Eckhart, from Whom God Hid Nothing)
Spiritual Transformation
"A person works in a stable.
That person has a breakthrough.
What does he do?
He returns to work in the stable."
(Meditations with Meister Eckhart by Matthew Fox)
What God Expects of You
"God expects but one thing of you, and that is that you should come
out of yourself in so far as you are a created being and let God be in
you."
(The Perennial Philosophy by Aldous Huxley)
Read more at the Spirituality and Practice website
The Institute of Progressive Christianity: Jesus 101
Wednesday, March 28 -- 7:00 p.m.
Have you wondered what role or significance Jesus has in the faith of
progressive Christians?
Join us for the final week of our three-week class exploring the
historic life of Jesus, the symbolic meaning of the Christ and ‘Christ
consciousness,’ and the relationship between Christianity and Jesus.
Together we will explore provocative questions such as; ‘Does Jesus
have a place in progressive Christianity?’ and ‘Can you be a Christian
without Jesus?’ Ian and Bob will be leading this class. For all who
are able, there is a suggested donation of $10 per session. If you
have any questions please call 616.842.1985.
Check out this Sunday's Bulletin on Seeing Jesus through Buddhist Eyes
This Sunday we continue our Lenten series as we re-examine Jesus from
a multitude of perspectives and traditions, and as we anticipate the
resurrection of a new Jesus.
This Sunday's gathering will examine Jesus through Buddhist Eyes.
May this traditional Buddhist blessing inspire you,
Just as the soft rains fill the streams,
pour into the rivers and join together in the oceans,
so may the power of every moment of your goodness
flow forth to awaken and heal all beings,
Those here now, those gone before, those yet to come.
By the power of every moment of your goodness
May your heart’s wishes be soon fulfilled
as completely shining as the bright full moon,
as magically as by a wish-fulfilling gem.
By the power of every moment of your goodness
May all dangers be averted and all disease be gone.
May no obstacle come across your way.
May you enjoy fulfillment and long life.
For all in whose heart dwells respect,
who follow the wisdom and compassion of the Way,
May your life prosper in the four blessings
of old age, beauty, happiness and strength.
Download this week's bulletin
Workshop: Buddhist Practice of Refuge
Saturday, March 31, 2007
10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Christ Community Church Chapel
When we go for authentic refuge, our mind is calm and at peace. Geshe
Kelsang Gyatso writes, “It signifies our determination to turn away
from the endless cycle of confusion and dissatisfaction that has
marked our life and towards a saner, more wholesome way of living.”
Come learn more about what it means to go for refuge, and the
benefits. Take advantage of the opportunity to practice actually
going for refuge during the meditation sessions.
The workshop by the Vajrayana Buddhist Center is $25 and will be
taught by western Buddhist monk, Gen Kelsang Khedrub. For more
information, call (231) 755-9977.
Check out their website for more information
Did you know?
Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) can help you conserve a lot of
energy and save money too!
• If you replace ten 100W light bulbs with CFLs, you’ll reduce the
same amount of CO2 that an SUV emits over the course of a year.
• CFLs are more expensive off the shelf, but by replacing a 100-watt
bulb with its CFL equivalent, you’ll save $100+ in electricity costs
over the lifetime of each bulb.
These great eco-facts are courtesy of an Ideal Bite, a fabulous
website devoted to making "green" living accessible, easy and hip!
Follow the link below to sign up to receive their free daily tips.
C3/CCC is part of an affiliate program with the Ideal Bite and each
new email subscription brings in money for the church, so sign up
through our website and we all win!
Learn more about the environment and ways we can stop global warming
at our showing of the Oscar-winning film “An Inconvenient Truth” on
Saturday, April 28, and a related slide presentation on Sunday, April
29.
Many believe environmental issues to be some of the most critical
moral issues of our time. As we further explore our deep spiritual
connection with the Earth, we are moved to learn, evolve, and to act
in more eco-conscious ways. Don’t miss the many exciting events that
will be offered during our April Earth Season which we will kick off
on Earth Sunday, April 22. We will encourage all to bike, walk,
carpool, or drive a hybrid car to church throughout Earth Season.
Your support enabled new growth in our ministry outreach!
We would like to thank all of the individuals that contributed funds
to our ministry outreach campaign, and especially the Scheifele
family. Your donations enabled us to make vital improvements to our
equipment, which allows us to continue to offer our progressive
message to those seeking it. We would like to dedicate this equipment
in memory of Bob Scheifele and in honor of his love of images and
photography and his numerous acts of honoring diversity.
Your contribution will enable this evolving community to thrive
Christ Community Church is an independent church supported solely by
members and friends of the community.
C3/CCC is a unique community offering a message of progressive
Christianity to those who seek an alternative to church as usual.
Your donation will help this evolving community continue to be an
active voice for progressive Christianity in our world today.
It is very simple to donate to C3/Christ Community Church, through the
Network For Good.
The Network For Good is a secure and safe online donations collection
center for non-profit organizations. Please consider giving today!
Thank you, we couldn't do this work without you!
Donate to Christ Community Church now
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