Oh, and while we're at it - if you choose nationality or religion, then you face scorn from the privileged gays and lesbians who have faith in an unquestioned culture of outness (not that I'm against outness, but the call to "come out wherever you are" must take into account the complexity of human relationships, community, and life choices). On the other side, if you choose sexuality, you're expected to be grateful that the US or that some other church or denomination has accepted you, under false assumptions that we in the US or liberal religion are somehow more advanced or enlightened.
Here is where I return to the context thing: Such profound separation and disconnect are not in my experience. Sure, I could point to similar experiences or pathways to empathy. But there is value in allowing the difference to stand - untrampled by my efforts to "fix" it.
This morning at Care Through Touch, one of my massage clients was telling me about his experience being homeless, and how it has created a separation in his spirituality - without a sense of home, he has difficulty finding a private space for worship and prayer. Rather than trying to close the gap, I tried to sit with his experience, in acceptance of the toll it has taken, and the depth of despair and height of hope he expressed for change.
It was a religious moment - not the kind where you see God, or you start crying or light comes down and impregnates you, but the kind that works like poetry, unfolding a glimpse of the mystery and magic that has always been there. It is marveling at the human spirit's ability to mold horrible experiences into stories of survival without hiding the anger, fear, and sadness.
If that makes any sense. It was one of those days.
1 comment:
Your reflection on the films, particularly your in-depth reflection on choices between nationalism(s) and spiritualities, proves that your thinking beyond the divides often carved by the two. You're right: forced hope is violence itself. Thanks for doing the world a favor and sitting with ambiguity, context complications and differences among us without trying to fix them. Lifting it up reminds me, once again and in timely fashion as I just came back from a church service that enraged me, that there is no "Center," no "Truth." there's only perception and possibility, and even those are subject to judgment and severely limited given where you stand/sit/live/etc. you knocked me off my liberal high horse today; thanks, i needed it.
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