by Craig Willms
hedge
/hej/ noun 1. A row of closely planted shrubs or low-growing trees forming a fence or boundary
2. A line of people or objects forming a barrier
3. A means of protection or defense
In an earlier article called "The Mental Fabric" I wrote in summation: God is the hedge against the cold, cruel impersonal world. It was an attempt to describe just what God ultimately is to us. So many people are 'believe it when I see it' type of people, needing something tangible, solid - something called proof. The proof is out there... In spades
I think it's clear that faith is learned, not innate, not instinctual. We start learning it the moment we are born whether we know it or not. We all have faith in one thing or another. We quickly learn to have faith in our mother by her demonstrations of love and caring. We've learned to have faith that the sun will rise in the morning, that sort of thing. This kind of faith is easy, we see it, we experience it.
Faith in the unseen, what's in another's heart or head is another thing entirely.
Many learn to have faith in God, and many don't. Just because some reject the idea of God altogether doesn't mean God isn't real. You ask, isn't God something humanity made up? Possibly, but it doesn't change the fact that God, or some "Godlike" conceptual construct is intrinsic to human development in a civilized world.
Well known atheist Richard Dawkins once wrote, and I'm paraphrasing, the universe is exactly as we'd expect it to be if it were undirected, with a cold, pitiless indifference toward everything. He was just calling as he saw it. Upon examination it does seem this is true. Life on Earth, the only place we know it to be, is brutal and compassionless. Yet humanity has thrived to the tune of eight billion of us roaming the Earth today. We've tamed nature to some degree and we are now reaching out to the stars. How was this accomplished when nature clearly has it out for us?
All alone in the wilderness you would likely face an early death. You pair up and then form a clan in order to survive a difficult and unforgiving world. Strength in numbers. Ultimately though you stand alone, self-preservation reigns supreme. It's in the defiance, the selfless ability to sacrifice your own well being to help another that provides witness to the very spark of divinity within you, the recognition that God is in you. When the self-sacrifice a mother bears toward her children and a father for his family is extended outward a community is formed. The recognition that your sacrifices, freely giving of yourself, giving of your resources with genuine motives elevates everyone in your presence. This is the divine, this is God among us. There is a reason charity is associated with the Godly.
If nature favors the survival of the fittest as you were taught, why would you chance helping the weak when it could lead to your own demise? Where does this human decency come from? Of course there are many reasons acting in a kind, cooperative manner would help ensure survival for you and your children. But many go above and beyond without any personal benefit, as if it's the right thing to do... So, there is a right thing and a wrong thing?
Doing right or doing wrong is clear, recognizable for what it is. We call it morality, and it's made clear to us at a fairly early age. We know if our actions are moral, in our heart of hearts we know if what we are doing is right. We choose to reject, or at least suppress our better selves when we act immorally. We often hide or obfuscate our misbehavior. Why would we do that? Well, you know why.
So if you are confronted by those who would belittle your faith, your belief in goodness, your belief God by citing the old bearded man in the clouds, or your imaginary friend called Jesus, ignore their 14-year-olds argument, they are as ignorant as a teenager. You know that God is in you, and it's your choice to accept God or reject God.
It's as obviously as the nose on your face that many, many people reject God, they push down the inherent goodness in their own heart, as they push it down in everyone around them. Too many corporate chieftains and political figures crave power and wealth over simple grace and humility. These leaders attract people like themselves. This is how evil grows in all institutions, even, I dare say, the church. Self-interest trumps self sacrifice.
Such is the problem of evil. A rejection of the God inside us. We are inundated with mixed messages in this modern world, where good and evil are inverted and good, Godly people are often ignored or are treated as the real weirdos. It's all made to seem that the compromised outnumber those who honor the very God inside them, but they don't. Good people and their love and kindness far out number the opposite.
When you watch the people responding to a disaster, putting themselves in danger, going above and beyond, notice how they outnumber the looters and destroyers. There are so many good people - they don't get recognition, nor do they don't want it, just know they are there.
Lastly, there are those who unequivocally reject the notion of God, especially a Judeo/Christian God, but they are clearly good people. What about them? They are fine, deep down they believe in the power of good over evil, and act accordingly. Rabbis, pastors and teachers are guides to truth, guides to righteousness - but not everyone needs a guide. I can't speak to other practiced religions; I do however have a belief that these people know the God deep down in their souls whether they profess believe in such things or not. Their inherent love and goodness is quite enough.
2. A line of people or objects forming a barrier
3. A means of protection or defense
In an earlier article called "The Mental Fabric" I wrote in summation: God is the hedge against the cold, cruel impersonal world. It was an attempt to describe just what God ultimately is to us. So many people are 'believe it when I see it' type of people, needing something tangible, solid - something called proof. The proof is out there... In spades
I think it's clear that faith is learned, not innate, not instinctual. We start learning it the moment we are born whether we know it or not. We all have faith in one thing or another. We quickly learn to have faith in our mother by her demonstrations of love and caring. We've learned to have faith that the sun will rise in the morning, that sort of thing. This kind of faith is easy, we see it, we experience it.
Faith in the unseen, what's in another's heart or head is another thing entirely.
Many learn to have faith in God, and many don't. Just because some reject the idea of God altogether doesn't mean God isn't real. You ask, isn't God something humanity made up? Possibly, but it doesn't change the fact that God, or some "Godlike" conceptual construct is intrinsic to human development in a civilized world.
Well known atheist Richard Dawkins once wrote, and I'm paraphrasing, the universe is exactly as we'd expect it to be if it were undirected, with a cold, pitiless indifference toward everything. He was just calling as he saw it. Upon examination it does seem this is true. Life on Earth, the only place we know it to be, is brutal and compassionless. Yet humanity has thrived to the tune of eight billion of us roaming the Earth today. We've tamed nature to some degree and we are now reaching out to the stars. How was this accomplished when nature clearly has it out for us?
All alone in the wilderness you would likely face an early death. You pair up and then form a clan in order to survive a difficult and unforgiving world. Strength in numbers. Ultimately though you stand alone, self-preservation reigns supreme. It's in the defiance, the selfless ability to sacrifice your own well being to help another that provides witness to the very spark of divinity within you, the recognition that God is in you. When the self-sacrifice a mother bears toward her children and a father for his family is extended outward a community is formed. The recognition that your sacrifices, freely giving of yourself, giving of your resources with genuine motives elevates everyone in your presence. This is the divine, this is God among us. There is a reason charity is associated with the Godly.
If nature favors the survival of the fittest as you were taught, why would you chance helping the weak when it could lead to your own demise? Where does this human decency come from? Of course there are many reasons acting in a kind, cooperative manner would help ensure survival for you and your children. But many go above and beyond without any personal benefit, as if it's the right thing to do... So, there is a right thing and a wrong thing?
Doing right or doing wrong is clear, recognizable for what it is. We call it morality, and it's made clear to us at a fairly early age. We know if our actions are moral, in our heart of hearts we know if what we are doing is right. We choose to reject, or at least suppress our better selves when we act immorally. We often hide or obfuscate our misbehavior. Why would we do that? Well, you know why.
So if you are confronted by those who would belittle your faith, your belief in goodness, your belief God by citing the old bearded man in the clouds, or your imaginary friend called Jesus, ignore their 14-year-olds argument, they are as ignorant as a teenager. You know that God is in you, and it's your choice to accept God or reject God.
It's as obviously as the nose on your face that many, many people reject God, they push down the inherent goodness in their own heart, as they push it down in everyone around them. Too many corporate chieftains and political figures crave power and wealth over simple grace and humility. These leaders attract people like themselves. This is how evil grows in all institutions, even, I dare say, the church. Self-interest trumps self sacrifice.
Such is the problem of evil. A rejection of the God inside us. We are inundated with mixed messages in this modern world, where good and evil are inverted and good, Godly people are often ignored or are treated as the real weirdos. It's all made to seem that the compromised outnumber those who honor the very God inside them, but they don't. Good people and their love and kindness far out number the opposite.
When you watch the people responding to a disaster, putting themselves in danger, going above and beyond, notice how they outnumber the looters and destroyers. There are so many good people - they don't get recognition, nor do they don't want it, just know they are there.
Lastly, there are those who unequivocally reject the notion of God, especially a Judeo/Christian God, but they are clearly good people. What about them? They are fine, deep down they believe in the power of good over evil, and act accordingly. Rabbis, pastors and teachers are guides to truth, guides to righteousness - but not everyone needs a guide. I can't speak to other practiced religions; I do however have a belief that these people know the God deep down in their souls whether they profess believe in such things or not. Their inherent love and goodness is quite enough.
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