There is a tendency on the part of many theists to assume that the burden of proof is on the nontheist when it comes to the issue of morality
I will not ever forget Joseph Cambell's recounting of
attending an intimate lecture by Martin Buber in
1954 in New York .
This wonderfully eloquent speaker and reknowned
Jewish scholar and theologian was using the term
"God " so frequently , that Campbell was trying to
understand what he meant when he was using the term.
He didn't understand if Buber was refering to the God
that was behind all these mysteries &
behind all these Galaxies who is infinite....or
at some stage or other of the primitive ancient
Biblical diety who is transformed and
embellished upon down from one
century to another in Old Testement
mythology.
Also , at one point in the lecture ,
Buber pauses for a moment to remark :
" It pains me to speak of God in the third person "...?!?
A little later when Campbell tells this to Bishop Schone
the Bishop replies that Buber sometimes has a tendendency
to go a little too far...hehe
So , Campbell a little later on raises his hand ,
and says to Buber :
" There is a word here that you are using ,
that I don't understand ".
Buber replies: "What is that word?"
Campbell simply answers: " God "
Well you can imagine the hush that
falls over the room when Buber replies: YOU DON'T
KNOW WHAT GOD MEANS!!?
And Campbell probing further :
" I don't know what you mean by God...you
are telling us that he has hidden his face ,
nobody sees him today .....
Mr Buber, I have just come from India where people
are experiencing & looking upon the face of
God all the time..."
So what does this renowned Jewish theologian respond with ?
"DO YOU MEAN TO COMPARE THE GOD OF ISRAEL TO THE GOD THEY SEE IN INDIA ?!?"
....well at that point , the shear outrageousness
of that statement hung heavily in the room , and
the moderator steps in , and placates Buber ,
saying " No , Doctor Buber , Mr Campbell just wants to know what you mean ....
Buber still reeling , but somewhat calmer says :
Well....we all have to come out
of exile in our own way. "....ahem.
** Campbell goes on to make the observation that
the Indians are not in exile because
the God is within their own being .
These are the differences when you run into
discussions cross-culturally , when you
are talking comparitive religion.
Of course the idea of superiority persists
to this day ...the battles go on.
and some remain forever in exile
fighting to return...or waiting for The Messiah.
The truth always was and is ...there
never was any exile to begin with.
Mars |
