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A follower of a wise Master spoke, "Master, you often speak as though religion doesn't matter, but you, also, say that you are religious." The Master said, "Yes, what is the concern?" "Are you, or are you not religious, Master? How can you be both?," asked the disciple. Spoke the Master, "I am."
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An irony of "religion" is the term does not arise directly out of religions. The etymology of "religion" may give us a hint at the general meaning of it, however.
The basic idea of the Latin, from which the English "religion" comes, is "to bind, to tie together." This is akin to "yoga," meaning "to yoke."
We can see, then, religion as anything that brings us together in communion and union with God, however we name That. Religion, socially speaking, is the outer aspects of faith community that joins us with the Spirit.
We seem to have an innate need to have "God." John Calvin spoke of our nature as fabricator deorum, a maker of gods. If so, then, the diversity in religion arises from the same impulse.
We can ask, "Where does this universal inspiration arise?" Those in religion, as I, reply, "The idea of and need for a Universal, an Infinite, is something that cannot arise from the local, the finite. So, the very idea of "God" arises from "God."
Now, what about all the differences among religions? Diversity never negates unity. As in all species of flora, diversity is based in the unity. The differences among us humans does not negate the experience "human": there is potentially an infinite expression of "human," even as of "God."
Likewise, the closer we get to the core of a religion, the more similarity exists with other religions: the more we touch the universal of it. While this does not nullify differences, it pronounces likeness.
This is a threat to fundamentalists, who resists the importance of ignorance as vital to faith. Indeed, ignorance may be more vital to faith than belief-or, at least, ignorance as belief in our own and collective ignorance.
But what is the vital ignorance in bringing us closer to God? Not all ignorance is healthy. Here are different ignorances.
1) Everyday Ignorance
Here, I could say, "I do not know the price of gasoline at the store." That is normal, and healthy. I could find it out by going to the store. I could say, "I do not know what time I will get home today." That depends on many factors. There is no way for me to calculate to tell anyone exactly when I would get home from work on any given day.
2) Willful Ignorance
This is ignorance by choice. This occurs, for example, when we are challenged with ideas we were not socialized to accept, and we choose, based on prejudice, to close our minds. This form of ignorance often parades as faith, but is never faith.
3) Knowing Ignorance
This is ignorance that is, paradoxically, from a deeper knowing than the mind. Here, one could say, "What I know of God means I do not know God; what I do not know of God means I know God."
This latter ignorance is blessed ignorance. This arises from the mind, or intellect, being taken to the boundary of concept and language. The mind will resist the unknowing that knows. In a sense, the mind feels a dying to itself and tries to stay alive in itself-its limits and control. And, anyway, who in religion encourages such a blessed death? Few.
Christ is birthed in us through the dying of all we are. This includes the mind: entailing all we know indirectly and with limitation. Knowing spiritually is simple knowing: only the person who so knows knows what it is-though one such never can know conceptually: "conceptually" is always "indirectly."
St. Paul hints at this blessed ignorance, when he speaks of how we now "see":
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
*I Corinthians 13.12 (AV)
This knowing cannot be grasped by mind. Mind cannot form into thought or image Reality before mind and after mind. Reality is partless, and mind only works with parts.
Therefore, an element of unity among all religion is that each is designed to lead the seeker of God to knowing by a higher, inclusive, Christic ignorance.
Does this "knowing" make one a "better" person? It will, in time. First introductions into knowing are only that: brief tastes. The experience grows, often in unpredictable, hidden ways, toward stabilization. Along the way one can struggle mightily with imperfections; his or her struggle is heightened by the knowing.
No person should assume that to be mystical, or have experience of knowing, is a quick trip to Paradise. This knowing, rather, can lead a person to intense, baffling struggles, inwardly and outwardly, that many never experience.
Part of the struggle can be the loneliness of being somewhat at odds with almost all in society and religion. I have this to know through being a pastor; while I respect my colleagues and those I serve, I often feel a whole area of my life, myself, is beyond sharing.
Again, this does not make one a better person or a more loving person, over the other; but, they are, in a sense, different in the way they experience and see the world and each other. The path of knowing, if followed, will lead one to a point of embracing the other where he or she is, and in a Love he or she could never have shared before; but, this does not mean the other person can accept the contemplative where he or she is.
I myself have become more inclusive and understanding of others as I have progressed in the Way. I have frequently not found the same understanding-acceptance to me-including those I have worked with and for.
Yet, as one grows closer to this knowing God, he or she grows in dependence on God-the more fullness of knowing, the more felt-need, even dependence on, Grace. At some point, there is a critical line of dependence crossed, and the person can find a stabilization of peace, calmness, and assurance that all is well, and will be well.
I seem to have been born with a gift for blessed ignorance, and to lead others in the Way. I would like to be able to say it has brought me a state of constant peace and calm. Not so. I am still learning, and often struggling, toward that line of complete surrender into the hands of God, where the peace and calm can arise, and assurance that all is well, even in a world where often much seems not well.
Especially in a society like ours, contemplation, knowing by unknowing, is much a challenge. There is little encouragement to this in society generally or religion specifically.
I would like to be able to say truthfully that to do so would make your life easier. The opposite is likely true. I can say truthfully that contemplation will enrich your faith, your religious experience, and your relationship with God.
Now, to tie the end with the beginning. Religion in itself does not guarantee movement to knowing. However, religion, when used true to itself, does.
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*Charitable contributions would be appreciated to assist Brian in continuing his ministry. For contributions, contact Brian at barukhattah@embarqmail.com .
*Brian's book of spiritual love poetry, An Ache for Union: Oneness with God through Love, can be ordered through major booksellers or the Cokesbury on-line store, cokesbury.com .
*Brian K. Wilcox, a United Methodist Pastor, lives in Southwest Florida. He is a vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. He lives a contemplative life and seeks to inspire others to enjoy a more intimate relationship with Christ. Brian advocates for a spiritually-focused, experiential Christianity and renewal of the Church through addressing the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons.
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