I've often taken considerable heat from those who disapprove of my outspoken expression of concern over the corruption, manipulation and distortion of truth found in institutional religion. Twice this past year, when referencing such fundamentalist adherents as "whitewashed tombs", I found a renewed level of chatter on various discussion groups about what an heretic I am.
Gandhi once remarked, "No man could be actively non-violent and not rise against social injustice, no matter where it occurred." And that is why I found the recent outcry against President Obama being invited to deliver the commencement address at Roman Catholic Notre Dame University on Sunday. The Roman Catholic Church continues to disappoint, disgust and provoke me to speak out against its gross injustices, intolerances and deliberate propagation of a myth as historical events.
Now fundamentalists and Catholic conservatives are rallying with some of the most repugnant of allies -- people like Randall Terry, who has promised to "make a circus out of Notre Dame's graduation ceremony". The reason? President Obama does not support the anti-abortion agenda of the fundies, who misappropriate the title of "Right to Life" for their movement.
The problem is that the so-called "Right to Life" or "Pro-Life" groups are neither. They are little more than modern-day equivalents of the Sadducees and Pharisees, who thought themselves to be so very pious, and beacons of righteousness, yet whose disregard for social justice, compassion and care for the marginalised provoked Rav Yeshua to address them as "blind guides" and "sons of the dogs who murdered the prophets".
In Matthew 23:24, which according to the mythos, takes place a week before Jesus was allegedly crucified, we read a potent account of how the Master viewed these religious leaders:
Woe to you, teachers of the Talmud and Pharisees... hypocrites to a man! You give tithes ... but have neglected the more important matters of the Law -- justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.
I could only imagine the Great Rabbi responding to the anti-abortionists with the same type of denunciation today. Now, I don't want to give the impression that I approve of abortion, because I consider all forms of violence disgraceful. I believe that all life deserves respect and honour. However, I don't believe in legislation of morality, and I never will. The separation of Church and State must be restored in the theocracy left in the wake of the Bush Cabal's near destruction of Amerika. Again, Ghandi writes, "Democracy disciplined and enlightened is the finest thing in the world. A democracy prejudiced, ignorant, superstitious will land itself in chaos and may be self-destroyed."
I'm not sure that many realise how frightfully close this country came to meeting such an end in the hands of the terrorist Bush Regime. And I am not one to join the ranks of those who whole-heartedly applaud the Obama administration either, given his backing off on the commitment to put an end to the illegal tribunals of the Bush Cabal, and to hold those responsible for such horrors accountable. But I do applaud the aggiornamento -- the breath of fresh air -- that the new President is bringing to this country's economy and recovery.
I also applaud those from Notre Dame for having the courage to extend such an invitation to the President, in keeping with that university's progressive history and theology.
I encourage people to embrace all of life as sacred and important. And that is why the anti-abortionists sicken me... because they are not truly "pro-life", they are simply anti-abortion. If they want to legislate against abortion rights, then they need to do so with their wallets. Don't tell a woman she has no right to end a pregnancy, unless you are PERSONALLY willing to pay for that woman's care during pregnancy, and support that child until it reaches the age of majority. Don't pretend to be "pro-life" if you turn your head to avoid the glance of the homeless person on the exit ramp of the highway. Don't tell me you defend the "right to life", when you do nothing to ensure that the elderly and poor have enough food, heat and adequate shelter.
In the Buddhist texts, we read the words attributed to Buddha Sakyamuni: "If you do not care for one another, then who is there to care for you? Whoever would serve me should serve the sick." (Mahavagga 8.26) And in the prophetic words attributed to Jesus, we read: "Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray, and because of this, the Way (Dharma) will be diminished and the love of many will grow cold." (Matthew 24.11-12)
That is why I continue to refer to the leadership of so many institutional churches and religions as "whitewashed tombs", because like those tombs -- coated with a bright and pleasing exterior -- we find inside the same rotting, decaying and unpleasant surroundings in which there is only death and lifelessness.
The very essence of the Mahayana School of Dharma is compassion. It remains my firm belief that compassion is more important and far more useful than religion. And the Roman Catholic Church, like Protestant Fundamentalists, continue to demonstrate that my belief is well-founded.
As you approach this new week, resolve to stay motivated by wisdom and compassion, so that your every action will benefit all beings, not just your individual selves. Let this compassion create a positive atmosphere, and bring you and the world in which you reside peace.
Namasté!
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