A man so in love with the world
Maurice Sendak died on 8 May 2012. Thanks to Arni at I Think I Believe for bringing this to my attention
“To those who consider themselves on the safe side of belief, [Simone Weil] teaches the uncomfortable truth that the unbelief of many atheists is closer to a true love of God and a true sense of his nature, than the kind of easy faith which, never having experienced God, hangs a label bearing his name on some childish fantasy or projection of the ego.”
–Leslie Fielder, from his introduction to Simone Weil’s Waiting for God
There are 6 Comments to "A man so in love with the world"
Paul, is this really the case? I know not all who claim to be Christians truly are, and as a result have no relationship with God. But an atheist who denies God altogether? How can he be said to be “closer to a true love of God” than someone who is actually a Christian? Some existential experience? Maybe I don’t understand the point.
Tom: I believe this to be the case. I’m not sure what you mean by “existential experience,” but I do believe God is not confined to Christianity. There is some truth in all things. It is tempting to say, “this is in” or “this is out” whenever we are confronted with bits of reality, but such binaries do not conform to the world I know.
Like you I believe many who cry “Lord, Lord” know nothing of the kingdom of God. But I also suspect that many who never utter that name are nearer to God’s heart than I am or will ever be. That is, calling on God by name is not a necessary condition for loving God (this is sometimes called the implicit love of God).
This is not to say “anything goes.” There are after all the fruits of the Spirit, which I have encountered aplenty in non-Christians. Some people who call themselves Christians do not have them; some do. Some people who call themselves atheists do not have them; some do.
When it comes to essences, I’m skeptical of all labels. That’s what it boils down to.
Paul, you certainly make a good point that, at least at face value, some atheists general lifestyles appear closer to biblical norms than do some who profess to be Christians (grossly paraphrasing). I guess to that degree they could be “closer to God.” However, in the ultimate analysis, for someone to be “close to God,” they must have a “relationship” with God, which is what distinguishes a true Christian from others, and in particular atheists. And, “He that comes to God must believe that he exists and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.
That’s what I love about the times we are uh liven in. You never know what you’re liable to hear/read or who is liable to say it.
But, then again when you get your start ca 1963 and the lead guru is chatting about dropping acid, preaching that we all “turn on, tune in, drop out” and is described by the President of the U.S. as “the most dangerous man in america” — quibbling about who has the right take on God belief is pretty tame stuff.
I really think we had more fun back then. Risk and anticipation were one in the same. You could taste it. Possibility lurked around every corner. Take a left or a right. No matter, it was there. Today… so dyspeptic. I do know I liked Leary better than I did Jerry Falwell.
What was the question?
Curtis,
Ha! I too would take Leary over Falwell. I’m sure his parties were lots better.
We should get together sometime. Same state and all, you know.
I actually dropped you a note on your blog’s contact form a few days ago. Did you get it?
OH — you’ll dig these videos! Sunday morning the kids and I were pulling out of our apartment parking lot and we saw this great blue heron. We live near Emory University and the closest sizable body of water is a couple miles away. Lived here almost 5 years and have never seen one around until Sunday. The kids loved it.
It’ll take a minute to load ‘em.
Hope you and Norma are well.
Don’t you love the adrenaline rush? That intense focus driven by wonder. With birds large are small it is always there. They are wild and free. They allow us to be among them and we know it. A beautiful Blue Heron. Thanks.