| “We are obviously separated, by
denominational differences.”
Charlie Brown’s statement to
Linus from ‘It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’
If one were to enter our world as an “alien” from another place in
the galaxy, the same individual would, from “outer space”, perceive a sphere
wrought with blue oceans and oddly-shaped continental plates. Upon drawing nearer,
ocean’s depths would become distinguishable, along with three-dimensional landmasses.
Upon drawing even nearer, signs of life would be evident; Agricultural patterns,
buildings, freeway systems etc. However, lines of demarcation, racial and
“denominational” differences would not be so evident. The human species has,
through the centuries, prided itself on intelligence. Human brain capacity is the one
thing that sets it apart from the “lower animals”. This same element has, also
ironically, given the species the knowledge to destroy itself, utterly. I do not believe
that the latter is man’s destiny, however. Even if you do not pull from religious
prophecy, two perceptions remain: One, humans “enjoy” their physical existence
far too much to end it, and two, we probably do not have as much control over the outcome
as we would like to believe.
Movies like the original “Time Machine”, or “Planet of the Apes” which
stimulate thoughts on the likelihood (or not) of human destiny, I find entertaining. They
allude to twists in the wake of Man’s attempt to control his destiny. But what about
man’s inability to control himself? In many wisdom traditions (Buddhism and
Christianity for example), living for the moment is the precursor, if not the
“correct” stance for preparation for death. Death is inevitable.
“Moderation” and “tolerance” are the buttressing elements. This is
where, I believe, the real common denominator exists, or doesn’t exist. A person can,
in my opinion, “spend” their lives in three possible ways: One, in moderation,
two in excess, and the third in sloth. “Moderation”, I believe, is the near
perfect state between two opposites. There is no ambiguity. Moderation, defined, is
“not excessive, or extreme”. Yet, many of us ruin ourselves daily by
overindulging in… you name it. Being “lazy” all of the time can be just as
detrimental. Just as easily as one can “burn out” from too much of everything,
arteries clog and blood pressure rises from lack of activity. Let’s say,
“hypothetically-for-sure” (one of my current, colloquial gems!) that there is no
life after death, playing the role of the “agnostic” or “atheist”.
Moderate and/or “considerate” behavior brought about by one individual to
another, (irrespective of the intrinsic “Darwinism”;Remember man is still an
“animal”) could still lessen the tendency toward self-destruction. Ah, yes,
there will always be “Wolves”, just as there will always be "sheep".
That is why, in my opinion, there must always be “Shepherds”. Shepherds (and
we’ve managed to desecrate just about every one of them so far) have come to us in
many forms in the past, most of them known to us. Some have been the cornerstones of the
world’s religions. Others have been political leaders and philanthropists. Regardless
of their station, most of us continue to revere these individuals, and for good reason, no
pun intended. They were, as history and tradition portrays them, moderate, tolerant,
loving and optimistic, and at worst, turned to violence as a last resort. What is probably
most important, was the promise of something “better”; “Better”,
irrespective of whether or not one survives in the physical sense. Having the option,
albeit, I wanna be on that committee! |