Religions are poor things: they are at their roots, flawed; propounded by flawed institutions, held together by irredeemably damaged people. But, we are all irredeemably damaged; and we are lost. Religions, bad as they are, are all we have to help us remember. Remember what? I do not know: I have forgotten, too. But it … Continue reading On the need for religion
Author: Julian Maddock
God is dead: thank God
I feel the need to have a rant (not a feeling I am unaccustomed to). This may be the first of many. <rant> Today on Start the Week on Radio 4, Grayson Perry and Jonathon Green were banging on about being ("fundamentalist" in Perry's words) atheists. Their images of God are so outmoded and childish: … Continue reading God is dead: thank God
Reconciling different apprehensions of God
How can I reconcile: The God who seems to be so personal, personally loving and present; who is there when I "lift up my heart to the Lord with a gentle stirring of love, desiring him for his own sake and not for his gifts;" the God without whom life is desperate, depressing and meaningless?God, … Continue reading Reconciling different apprehensions of God
On God’s point of view
We often reduce the scope of God's concern to the scope of our own concerns. We are confused when we get ill and are not healed. We are outraged when a natural disaster – a so-called Act of God – is not averted. We commit acts of war or terror believing that God has commissioned … Continue reading On God’s point of view
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
There is a balm in Gilead To make the wounded whole. There is a balm in Gilead To heal the sin-sick soul. I was leant this book and took some time reading it. It is beautiful and deeply moving. Click on the image or follow this link, to learn more about the story and the … Continue reading Gilead by Marilynne Robinson
Reasons not to pray: 1, 2, 3
Why is prayer so difficult – desired and avoided in equal measure? I think there are three key reasons: Prayer is the time when we stop everything else we are doing. Often the first thing that occurs is an awareness of pain in myself or others: the physical or emotional or global pain, which is … Continue reading Reasons not to pray: 1, 2, 3
On religion and morality
Religion is not about morality. It is about having a view or vision of reality, which my be quite at odds with the common or habitual view (also called a trance state). Religious texts are more to inspire and shock a person out of their habitual view than to give moral imperatives. The new view … Continue reading On religion and morality
Image and likeness
I've always been fascinated that in the Creation story (Gen 1:26) humanity is made in the image and likeness of God. I want to know if this is emphasis by repetition (as is often the case in the Psalms) or whether 'likeness' is different from 'image'; and if the latter, what is the difference?
On illness and punishment
When they fetch up in hospital because of an illness or old age, some religious people ask, "Why is this happening to me?" and might add "I've been a good person." Some have never thought about their mortality. Illness takes them by surprise. They have made no preparation. Illness and death is an affront to … Continue reading On illness and punishment