Divinity is that which was there before the appearance of heaven and earth, and which gives form to them; that which surpasses the yin and the yang, yet has the quality of them. This Divinity is thus the absolute existence, governing the entire universe of heaven and earth, yet at the same time, it dwells within all things, where it is called spirit; omnipresent within human beings, it is called mind.

In other words, human mind communes with the Divinity which is ruler of heaven and earth; mind and Divinity are one and the same. Divinity is the root origin of heaven and earth, the spiritual nature of all things, and the source of human destiny. Itself without form, it is Divinity which nurtures things with form.

*Shinto. Kanetomo Yoshida. An Outline of Shinto.

Once, a Zen Buddhist and a Christian were arguing about the existence of God. The Zen Buddhist argued, essentially, “God does not exists.” Essentially, the Christian argued, “God does exists.” After they had marshaled all their arguments to prove their respective points, each had failed to convince the other.

Both were aware of an esteemed Spiritual Teacher who lived in a nearby forest and was known as a very wise and holy man. Though this man lived alone and seemed content being a recluse, he had won a reputation over many years and often persons would go to him to receive spiritual guidance, have questions answered, or to settle disputes on points of religion or spirituality. So, the Christian and Zen Buddhist agreed to present their argument to the wise Teacher.

The two men entered the little, one room hut of the Teacher. The Christian spoke, “Sir, I believe that God exists, but this friend of mine argues God does not exists.” The Zen Buddhist said, “So, we thought we would ask your opinion on this important matter. Which one of us do you say is right?” “Neither,” replied the Teacher. “Neither!,” gasped the Christian. “We can’t both be wrong! Why do you say neither of us is right?” The Teacher spoke, “Friends, both of you are wrong, for you both are arguing about an object. One says that God exists, which makes God an object whom you can believe in. God, not being an object, he cannot be right. Then, the other says that God does not exists. He, too, is wrong, for he treats this that he does not believe in as an object.”

“Then,” asked the Zen Buddhist, “do you believe God exists, or not?” The wise Teacher spoke, “Sirs, I neither believe that God does or does not exists, for whatever God is or is not would be the subject of my belief and not the object. Therefore, though I rarely share this, for most men and women would not even begin to understand, believing in God or not believing in God is no longer possible for me. There is no longer a need for me to have God to believe in or not believe in.”

Both the Zen Buddhist and Christian left befuddled. They failed to appreciate their own highest spiritual teachings. Oh, yes, by the way, they never settled their argument, either.

God is not an object; so, God cannot be a subject. God, a concept and word within linguistics, cannot be contained in linguistics. To say one word about God, one is already speaking falsehood to the extent the Incomprehensible is put into human syntax.

Then, what is the end of human language in religious and spiritual contexts. Language, and the needed misrepresentation of God in words, is essential. Such language, by its usage, reveals its limitations and end. The end is to open the heart-mind beyond the parameters of language, into the immediate trust – not belief about or in – that is relational, mystifying, holy, and loving.

The existence of God demands, by the nature of God, the collapse of language and thought. This imploding allows the opening into Pure Prayer - which is beyond prayer.

Atheism, then, can come in varied forms. I will give a list of some possibilities of atheism, with a brief explanation of each.

1.Philosophical Atheism

By this is meant what we usually mean by atheism. One denies the existence of God, or any being corresponding in any way with the varied images of Deity.

2. Mystical Atheism

A person does not believe in “God” as defined or referred to by any religion, spirituality, or philosophy. That is the view of the Divine offered above, in the story of the contending Christian and Zen Buddhist. This does not mean the person denies truth within the many representations of God, and the person may well ascribe to a particular faith path as one among many or the highest among all.

3.Practical Atheism

Here, a person says he or she believes in a personal God, but his or her life contradicts that affirmation. This covers much of the Christianity I have been exposed to, and is known among clerics, not only among laity.

Ultimately, of course, we transcend the contradictions and settle with the paradox. Both the Zen Buddhist and the Christian were right, and both were wrong. Yet, together, they were right.

This raises the question: Would God be an atheist? Well, yes. Well, no. Regardless, God is God. And, also, regardless, what you truly trust you will live into, more and more. Outside of that, words are just words – Are they not?

1.What is meant by paradox in religious or spiritual language?

2.Whom would you agree with in the story of the Christian and Zen Buddhist – the Christian, the Buddhist, the Teacher? Defend your choice.
Brian Kenneth Wilcox July 25, 2009
briankwilcox@yahoo.com
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*OneLife Ministries is a ministry of Brian Kenneth Wilcox, SW Florida. Brian lives a vowed life and with his two dogs, Bandit Ty and St. Francis, with friends and under a vow of simplicity. Brian is an ecumenical-interspiritual leader, who chooses not to identify with any group, and renounces all titles of sacredness that some would apply to him, but seeks to be open to how Christ manifests in the diversity of Christian denominations and varied religious-spiritual traditions. He affirms that all spiritual paths lead ultimately back to Jesus Christ. He is Senior Chaplain for the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, Punta Gorda, FL.

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