We fail to realize that while different exponents of faith in the world of religion continue to be wary of the ecumenical movement, there is another ecumenical movement, worldwide in extent and influence : nihilism. We must choose between interfaith and inter-nihilism. Cynicism is not parochial. Should religions insist upon the illusion of complete isolation? Should we refuse to be on speaking terms with one another and hope for each others failure ? Or should we pray for each other's health, and help one another in preserving one's respective legacy, in preserving a common legacy?
That was written almost fifty-five years ago when the program of the media making cynicism the common currency of the would-be sophisticates was far less of a success than it became as that continued and intensified. In studying what has led the American left into the half a century in the political wilderness during the same period and helped greatly by the internet and unmoderated comments exposing the unedited thinking of thousands of would-be lefties, the power of amorality, nihilism and fashionable cynicism to both discredit the left and to lead it into self-chosen impotence became undeniable. Added into that is something less welcome, discouragement which, without a powerful antidote or remedy has destroyed any prospects of changing that. I have, of course, found sources of those in modernism and scientistic materialism, which is one of the reasons the contributing precursors of those have become major focuses here.
I am enormously impressed that with what he could have seen from 1965 Abraham Joshua Heschel saw this so well. Everything I'm reading and hearing from him leads me to believe his is one of the most important of prophetic voices during my lifetime. I can only imagine what he would make of today's fashionable moral depravity, as fashionable on the right as on the left, tastes in moral depravity being the main difference. The neo-fascist, Nazi friendly Republican-fascism, the complete cynicism of much if not most of popular entertainment and popular culture, the impotence of the left, even much of the religious left which cannot bring itself to separate itself from and condemn the tyranny of fashion and consumer cynicism and greed. I wonder what he, one of the major and most important non-Catholic advisors to Vatican II would think of the billionaire financed attacks on the documents of that huge reform of Catholicism, even on the main document in the reconciliation of Judaism and Christianity, Noster Aetate. Something a trad-Catholic railed against to me on a comment thread the other day, sounding like a Chick Publications comic book, more anti-Catholic than a Catholic-hatin' psychopath.
The Jewish diaspora today, almost completely to be found in the Western world, is certainly not immune to the spiritual climate and the state of religious faith in the general society. We do not live in isolation, and the way in which non-Jews either relate or bid defiance to God has a profound impact on the minds and souls of the Jews. Even in the Middle Ages, when most Jews lived in relative isolation, such impact was acknowledged. To quote, "The usage of the Jews is in accordance with that of the non-Jews. If the non-Jews of a certain town are moral, the Jews born there will be so as well." Rabbi Joseph Yaabez, a victim of the Spanish Inquisition, in the midst of the Inquisition was able to say that "the Christians believe in Creation, the excellence of the Patriarchs, revelation, retribution and resurrection. Blessed is the Lord, God of Israel, who left this remnant after the destruction of the second Temple. But for these Christian nations we might ourselves become infirm in our faith.
As I have pointed out several times here, it is notable that conversion of Jews into atheists is more acceptable, with its entire rejection of the Jewish religion than their adoption of Christianity. While that's to some extent understandable, a legacy of mainly European discrimination against and violence against Jews, it makes little sense. Especially as that discrimination and violence were certainly contrary to the teachings of Jesus and Paul (both Jews) which, if they were followed by those who professed to believe what they said none of that discrimination of violence would have happened. I would like to see more of that history of evil addressed honestly instead of in show-biz style because if there's one thing show-biz does not do well, at all, it's historical honesty.
We are heirs to a long history of mutual contempt among religions and religious denominations, of religious coercion, strife and persecutions. Even in periods of peace, the relationship that obtains between representatives of different religions is not just reciprocity of ignorance; it is an abyss, a source of detraction and distrust, casting suspicion and undoing efforts of many an honest and noble expression of good will.
That is, to a large extent, due to Christians gaining worldly power and amassing power in the way of a king or emperor or some lesser level of medieval feudal thuggery. The modern period in which religions have been disempowered has led to an improvement in that, I don't think it would have been possible when the Popes were in possession of the Papal States or other worldly estates to start to be more in line with the teachings of the Jew, Jesus in regard to his religion, today. It was always a turf battle over worldly power and wealth. Perhaps "post-religion" is necessary for the Churches to gain more actual authenticity and, so, legitimacy. That would certainly have been far more in like with the teachings of Jesus and Paul and, especially James than most of the history of the Christian churches. Religion with worldly power is not a generally morality friendly situation. It's remarkable how the Church of England has become more Christian as it has become less powerful and influential. It is remarkable how the Chief Rabbinate of Israel has become mired in scandal as it has become ever more involved with right-wing politics in Israel and the Republican-fascist members of the US Catholic Conference of Bishops here, too.
I will leave off, for now, with the question he asks here.
The Psalmist's great joy is in proclaiming : "Truth and mercy have met together" (Ps. 85:11). Yet so frequently faith and the lack of mercy enter a union, out of which bigotry is born, the presumption that my faith, my motivation, is pure and holy, while the faith of those who differ in creed - even those in my own community - is impure and unholy. How can we be cured of bigotry, presumption, and the foolishness of believing that we have been triumphant while we have all been defeated?
No comments:
Post a Comment