How is man enlightened? written 4/20/2003
This piece is inspired by a recent conversation on the Larry King Live program, with a panel of significant religious / philosophical leaders representing Christianity, Islam, Catholicism, Judaism, Hinduism (or enlightened / intuitive thought). This program raised a discussion on the meaning and movement of life, from the differing religious perspectives. As the conversation progressed it became clear that there was much disagreement from amongst the respective authorities present. Notable angst revolved around attempts to appreciate how a good god judges and acts. Differing ideas about the concept of Hell was discussed, the hope for mankind (i.e. root questions about man’s intrinsic nature), the person of Jesus in biblical scripture and in the Koran.
Some other salient arguments were raised about the validity of biblical scripture and what language was it written in. Various philosophical ideas were raised and judged against the religious traditions.
The following is the Larry King website description of the program.
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Sunday, April 20What roles do religion and faith play in times of war? Larry talks with a panel of spiritual leaders, experts and other guests. Larry is joined by Dr. Deepak Chopra; Rabbi Harold Kushner; the Rev. Michael Manning; Dr. Hamid Al-Bayati, representative of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq; and Dr. Maher Hathout, Muslim scholar and the senior advisor of the Muslim Public Affairs Council. -------------------------------------------------
Some questions and or pithe comments that were made, were in regards to war and conflict in general. Notably from Chepok, where he raised the idea that man only resorts to evil when his basic needs are not met. The idea that under such stresses, more basil drives become charged. Later in the program, calls were taken from the viewing audience, which further aroused some of the tension in beliefs present amongst the panel. Most questions came from obvious Christian viewers, which probably would not be surprising, given a sense of those who would tend to watch Larry King. For me as I listened thinking how amazing this program was in general, that such a discussion would be made manifest, given present day news, i.e. the Iraqi Freedom operation. I kept struggling to take the opportunity to search for what I would deem to be a most important question. Alas what I came up with is twofold.
First, it seemed to me that what was really on trial in this debate was "how is mankind enlightened" and secondly "what does he do with the enlightenment he receives". To this end, it became apparent the discussion tended to get bogged down in disagreement because, as I would offer, doctrinal ideas were being offered as primary, when in fact they should have been qualified as secondary to seeking mutual respect and, if you will, love for one another. What I mean by this is, that the panel members were each espousing a belief system and that an expression of their hearts was being held captive to their own egos / arrogance (al-be-it masked by educated and eloquent grace in their demeanors). I can’t help but think if Jesus himself were sitting at the panel discussion, he might have either started to scribble something on a piece of paper in front of him, as he did in the dirt before he spoke to those looking to stone the prostitute, (in biblical scripture) or he might have spoken up with but a few words, saying something like, "the least you do to your brother you do to me".
So I come back, attempting to transcend the discussion, by offering what might have been a better discussion angle, given the backgrounds of the distinguished panel; “how does mankind gain enlightenment, and what should he do with it?” Had this been the question basic to the discussion, idle / experiential wisdom might have been held checked in favor of a search for where belief systems originate. One of the most basic questions of religious curiosity is who Jesus was/is and what was his mission. If we dismiss Jesus as only a wise teacher amongst others, we are left with much opportunity to interpret life thru our own and other's experiences. If Jesus is God incarnate, then it seems critical to apprehend his mission.
This piece is inspired by a recent conversation on the Larry King Live program, with a panel of significant religious / philosophical leaders representing Christianity, Islam, Catholicism, Judaism, Hinduism (or enlightened / intuitive thought). This program raised a discussion on the meaning and movement of life, from the differing religious perspectives. As the conversation progressed it became clear that there was much disagreement from amongst the respective authorities present. Notable angst revolved around attempts to appreciate how a good god judges and acts. Differing ideas about the concept of Hell was discussed, the hope for mankind (i.e. root questions about man’s intrinsic nature), the person of Jesus in biblical scripture and in the Koran.
Some other salient arguments were raised about the validity of biblical scripture and what language was it written in. Various philosophical ideas were raised and judged against the religious traditions.
The following is the Larry King website description of the program.
--------------------------------------------
Sunday, April 20What roles do religion and faith play in times of war? Larry talks with a panel of spiritual leaders, experts and other guests. Larry is joined by Dr. Deepak Chopra; Rabbi Harold Kushner; the Rev. Michael Manning; Dr. Hamid Al-Bayati, representative of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq; and Dr. Maher Hathout, Muslim scholar and the senior advisor of the Muslim Public Affairs Council. -------------------------------------------------
Some questions and or pithe comments that were made, were in regards to war and conflict in general. Notably from Chepok, where he raised the idea that man only resorts to evil when his basic needs are not met. The idea that under such stresses, more basil drives become charged. Later in the program, calls were taken from the viewing audience, which further aroused some of the tension in beliefs present amongst the panel. Most questions came from obvious Christian viewers, which probably would not be surprising, given a sense of those who would tend to watch Larry King. For me as I listened thinking how amazing this program was in general, that such a discussion would be made manifest, given present day news, i.e. the Iraqi Freedom operation. I kept struggling to take the opportunity to search for what I would deem to be a most important question. Alas what I came up with is twofold.
First, it seemed to me that what was really on trial in this debate was "how is mankind enlightened" and secondly "what does he do with the enlightenment he receives". To this end, it became apparent the discussion tended to get bogged down in disagreement because, as I would offer, doctrinal ideas were being offered as primary, when in fact they should have been qualified as secondary to seeking mutual respect and, if you will, love for one another. What I mean by this is, that the panel members were each espousing a belief system and that an expression of their hearts was being held captive to their own egos / arrogance (al-be-it masked by educated and eloquent grace in their demeanors). I can’t help but think if Jesus himself were sitting at the panel discussion, he might have either started to scribble something on a piece of paper in front of him, as he did in the dirt before he spoke to those looking to stone the prostitute, (in biblical scripture) or he might have spoken up with but a few words, saying something like, "the least you do to your brother you do to me".
So I come back, attempting to transcend the discussion, by offering what might have been a better discussion angle, given the backgrounds of the distinguished panel; “how does mankind gain enlightenment, and what should he do with it?” Had this been the question basic to the discussion, idle / experiential wisdom might have been held checked in favor of a search for where belief systems originate. One of the most basic questions of religious curiosity is who Jesus was/is and what was his mission. If we dismiss Jesus as only a wise teacher amongst others, we are left with much opportunity to interpret life thru our own and other's experiences. If Jesus is God incarnate, then it seems critical to apprehend his mission.
Thus, we have the question of the ages, . . . not whether there is a heaven and a hell, and whether we are good enough, but whether Jesus was who he said he was? From such all other wisdom, falls out or can be derived.
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