Religion Clouds the Mystery

When I was a little girl growing up with a older, developmentally disabled sister, I would ask my my mom, “Why is Janie this way? Why would God do this to her? Why did God do this to you?” She would always answer, “I really cannot answer that. It must be a test to see how I handle it.” I watched her take the test everyday of her life. She never found a solution for my sister and yet she aced the test. I have always questioned many things about God. I do not think we are here by accident. I believe faith lies in the unknowing. So when people pull out their Bible to judge and condemn, I see them as failing the test. There are so many stories in the Bible that make me pause. Just like my sister’s very hard life. When I read the Bible, I ask why. When I look in my sister’s eyes I see pain. When I looked in my mother’s eyes, I saw heartbreak. It is only when I go outside in the dark and look at the black sky filled with twinkling lights that I know we are no accident. Perhaps life really is all a test to see how we handle it. Let me tell you why I feel this way.

If you read the story of Adam and Eve, there are many questionable things. For instance:

Gen 3:3 — But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

Why would an all knowing, loving God put such a tree in the garden, if he knew Eve would eat it? That feels a bit like a set up. And when she are the fruit:

Gen 3:15 — And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

Gen 3:17 — And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

Why would God create such a beautiful planet and condemn humanity to live in sorrow from that point on? Maybe God would have preferred that Adam and Eve, after eating the forbidden fruit to not hide in shame, but voice their presence. The tree was in the garden, like drugs on our streets. Someone may falter, but learn. Second chances often bring a new light. I do not believe knowing of good and evil is reason for scorn. Rather it is our test, not our punishment, to become a beacon for good, not a forsaken child.

Isaiah 40:26 26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.

Does this sound like the same God? I don’t think so. As there is good and evil, there is dark and light. We are tested everyday to be good and kind, to be light in the dark. But not in shame, but in the power we hold inside.

How about this story in the Bible:

Genesis 22:2 And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

Can you imagine? A loving God asking such a request? Can you imagine a loving father agreeing? There is more to this story about man. To oblige something like this, shows a very dark side of God and man. Perhaps it would have been more meaningful if man had respectfully questioned God about such an act. This was a test. Man failed it. Abraham did not exhibit anything but a weak and dark side of his soul. Perhaps God would have preferred to see Abraham’s love and protection for his son, using his voice to communicate the power of goodness and love to God. Proof that man understood good and evil.

The story of Noah, of course, is truly heartbreaking. I cannot imagine such an angry God. To destroy all of life, all that was so intricately created.

Genesis 7:4 For yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth.

Why? In everything I feel, nothing could make me see any reasoning behind something so horrific. But today, we are seeing powerful storms, floods, fires, extreme temps and yet we know why. Our creator gave us an amazing brain. Scientists have researched and determined, it is humans destroying creation. I would think earth’s creator would be very angry. This planet is nothing short of a miracle and we rape it daily for profit. It will not be God’s rage that punishes us, it will be the work of our own hand…failing the test.

I do not believe I could have a spiritual connection with an enraged and plotting God. In fact, I believe much of what happens is a reflection of who we are, not who God is. Churches across the world speak to congregations with “ fire and brimstone.” And yet evil is alive in well. Many churches use God, to preach hate. But is that really the message?

With the birth of Jesus came a more uplifting message:

Luke2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

This is joy. This is hope. This is love. Is this not what humanity searches for…“Fear not.” Today we live in great fear and great anxiety. We see extreme greed, pure hate and people worshipping all of it. Can we not hear the message? Can we not look to the stars above and realize we are living a miracle? Can we not look around and see creation as the divine masterpiece?

Matthew 5:1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Maybe this is answer. Maybe this is how we pass the test of life. Few pay attention. For in the “busyness” of life, kindness is too simple. To complicate kindness, is what humans do best.

Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 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.

13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Is this not a clear message? Does this not sound like a message of beauty and goodness, to match the wondrous miracle of life in all things. Is passing the test really about love? If so, we are failing miserably.

As long as there has been One True God, there has been killing in His name. — Sir Leigh Teabing

So, I do not walk into a church to feel at peace. No, I walk outside on a dark night and look at the skies above. I stand by the sea, and look out over endless blue. I go into the woods and wander in solitude, and I look into the eyes of people I meet. It is there we find the answers to life’s mystery. It is up to us to solve good vs evil. We have the power to make it so and the Divine…will weep.