I saw a wonderful play the other day. “New Jerusalem” performed at the Theater J. (Kudos to Ari Roth, the creative Artistic Director, who is often attacked for taking non-traditional stands.) This is a retelling (of sorts) of the interrogation of Baruch de Spinoza (1656) that led to his excommunication; a discourse between traditional belief and modern thought, faith and philosophy- in other words, a very modern dilemna.
I, and surely you, have been grappling with these issues forever. I have taken the scientific approach to my religious considerations. (I have written about these wrestlings before- 24 October, 6 October, among others). But, there are many valid approaches to grappling with these issues.
Since we were tiny babies, we try to make sense of this world in which we find ourselves. We see patterns and recognize them. Including the differences between physical objects and actors (those that change the surroundings). We learn that a ball must be forced to move- but animals and people can do so by themselves. It’s what makes us highly susceptible (receptive) to religion and its teachings. We seek out explanations that invoke the design or purpose of objects. (It’s why we accept creationism at an early age, over the concept of evolutionary development.)
Dr. George Newman (Yale) used 1 y old babies to prove that point. In his study, there were two “movies”. One had a ball knocking over a stack of blocks (the actual striking was omitted from the view), leaving them strewn all over the place. The second showed the blocks in total disarray, with a ball entering the view (with the striking again removed from view) and the blocks then appearing in total order and in arrays. Adults would recognize the second scenario as bizarre. But so did the babies! They knew that the ball creates disorder and could not be an ordering force. We know that actors (including the Supreme Being) can create order or disorder; non-agents (rolling balls- or even thunder storms) only create disorder.
But, what about superpowers- whether they range from perception to knowledge to overcoming large disorders? Or immortality? Well, that’s where kids have it over adults. They assume that all agents possess some sort of “super” power- until they learn differently.
Studies have been done with children from different backgrounds (Mayans, Israe-li Jews, Albanian Catholics, as well as British and American children) that have shown that their deities would know things that humans did not. It’s why little kids believe in the tooth fairy and Santa Claus, as well.
Before you jump the gun- just because a child knows something, it does not mean that this “childish” notion is wrong or bad. While their reasoning may not be as sophisticated as an adult’s, there are concepts that are universal. Drs. Piazza, Bering, and Ingram showed that children who believed a god (not a real one) was watching them would never examine a box they were told to leave alone. Those that did not believe in that god afforded their curiosity the right to examine the box.
It’s why, in my opinion, there are different punishments for those that steal in broad daylight and at night, according to my religion. Those that steal in broad daylight simply believe in nothing- no morality, no human rights. Those that steal at night fear humans- but not the Supreme Being.
Whom do you fear more?
I love what you say about babies being highly susceptible to knowing that there is a higher influence (God) design in their lives. I believe that God created humans for a desire to have fellowship with him and that is why his creation to drawn to him. Not until a child is taught a contradiction does he run into trouble decoding and understanding the truth once again.
Shawn recently posted..What is Your Love Language?
Interesting last sentence there, Shawn…
Let me ponder upon it a while.
Thanks for adding to the discussion.
I fear ignorance.
Elise recently posted..Addiction
I do, too- and find myself surrounded by it. (Thankfully, not mired within it, Elise.)
Roy
Fascinating ruminations, Roy…. We are taught and molded from the minute we are born until we are able to re-think and re-shape and perhaps, unlearn what we’ve learned. For myself, I do believe in God, the Universe, and Santa Claus, because their essence is filled with hope and most of all, love. And we are taught that love conquers all….
I certainly believe in the Supreme Being- and science. And, yes, I can fit both into the same framework.
Glad you found the post thought-provoking, Peggy Lee…
Roy
Roy, I read the other two posts you mention and went to the site about the play. (I now want to go to the play btw thank you) I have limited time today, but may go back to your older posts and comment when I have more time. I will suffice it to say I am not afraid of human being, but have a loving fear of my G-d, so I won’t be stealing anything. You are brilliant and I would love to just sit and listen to you talk about the things you’ve posted. Cheers my friend <3
I am so glad you liked the concept of that play. This was the second time I saw it. The production was cleaner this time- and I think I was able to become mesmerized by the debate because of that.
If you can’t see the play- you should read it. It forces one to question what really was happening then- and why we still have the same questions….
Where’s that thunderbolt????
Roy
False expectations appearing real – I guess I fear stupidity disguising itself as doing good while limiting freedom of thought.
Roberta Budvietas recently posted..Is content sticking your conversation?
I like that one, Roberta…
I would agree to some extent; but I wouldn’t to others. Or maybe I need others views on this. Many of us believe in the higher power but still do some things wrong. Kids too. For some the sense of God watching over and punishment is stronger and this might cause them to abstain from certain horrific acts; but they still might indulge in a little wrong. For example, when I was a kid, I did have strong religious values of being answerable to God. But we had this cranky neighbor who had the most delicious guava tree in his backyard and this neighbor always refused to give us even one of those guavas. So a group of neighborhood kids always managed to sneak into his backyard and steal guavas. Now, this might be pretty harmless but it is stealing nonetheless. And I didn’t feel guilty somehow. Now when I think about it, it saddens me to have gone that way.
Other times I remember when at the dentists, I wouldn’t pick a treat out of the candy box without asking. Maybe it was the fear of people watching over; but there really was no human watching over.
As for fear, I do fear what humans are capable of. I don’t know what could be said. When I was working at a hospital, we had a child who had murdered his father in defense. He was sexually assaulted by the man for over seven years; and the child said this “There really isn’t a God (he named the God of his religion); if there was, He would not have done this to me”. I was watching a documentary long back and I heard the same feeling echoed by a ten year old girl who was sold (by her parents) into prostitution at the age of five.
So, yes ignorance is the bigger fear and like I said, humans in all. Though a lot could be said about all this.
A very thought provoking post Roy. Sorry, if I sound a little confused, but I am I feel.
Hajra recently posted..Better with the lights switched off!
Hajra- so many of us have conflicted opinions about our belief in the Supreme Being. So, that’s not surprising…
Regarding the boy and his parents… that is a terrible event. One perpetrated by a human. One where the mother did nothing to protect the child, either. It does destroy our faith in parents when this comes about. It’s also why the 10 commandments lists the honoring of one’s parents as number 5- because it is their job to be our link to the Supreme Being, by acting in a fashion that brings honor to the Supreme Being, and trains the child in the ways of the world and following the wishes of the SB. When that fails, so do most of the rest of the commandments…
I want to fear God more than people, but I too often get it the wrong way round not on things quite so obvious as stealing, but still…
Melinda recently posted..What’s Essential?
It’s amazing, isn’t it, Melinda?
I find this a fascinating post, by the way. Especially the part about babies’ perceptions.
Melinda recently posted..What’s Essential?
I thought that was pretty amazing, too, Melinda. So glad you like it!
When I was a kid a verse of scripture I learned was “the beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord.” it was explained to me that really fear meant love in the old days. Confused the heck out of me. Fear is nothing like love, but truly the beginning of wisdom is both as I have learned in my old age. As for Spinoza, I heard his name in a strange reference recently withspiritualism, Madame Blavotsky, and Hitler. Yikes.
I am not sure that fear meant love, but that was part of it. Think of the phrase: Trembling before the sight of the Lord. Fear, Love, Adoration, Acknowledgment of Power, Acknowledgment of Knowledge….
Thanks for that addition, Ann…
Google First Scandal.
And, what would I learn there?
I fear stupidity and those that use that as an excuse. And it seems lately, there has been a lot of it. Dealing with it or not, I’m not sure if there is any influence to change this. So I fear it and just hope that those that hide behind stupidity, eventually will see the light!
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I have a problem with stupidity- and its rampant spread among our population, as well, Lynn.
It’s not a matter of education (although that is part of it), it’s closer to indolence and the eschewing of effort to discern what are the facts of the situation.
If that does not change, we may be doomed as a civilization, since democracy relies upon an INFORMED populace.
There’s always a fear of the unknown I think, which most of us must be having. I think the fact that we don’t know what lies ahead makes us feel this ways.
Regarding children, well, I think they know a great deal more than what we can ever imagine. I think in our days we were much more innocent and hardly knew as much as the kids know nowadays. Same seems the case with these babies 🙂
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Harleena Singh@Freelance Writer recently posted..What are the Health Benefits of Fasting?
Thanks for elucidating those great points, Harleena!
It helps get the point across to others.
Roy
It’s too broad a question for me. I certainly don’t fear a Supreme Being. I believe I guide my actions out of doing my best to treat others as I wish to be treated and I am a big proponent of kindness. I do not understand how humans choose to harm others -either through malicious words or actions or violence. Perhaps if there is anything to be feared it is the actions of those who do not guide their choices from a place of doing no harm but it isn’t something I give much energy or thought to. It is also why I choose to not watch news regularly as they do not offer a balance between uplifting actions and negative actions. Love the part about the babies recognizing order/disorder. Fascinating.
Tambre Leighn/coaching by tambre recently posted..What Matters
I’m not sure the English word, fear, covers the concept, Tambre.
We don’t do right as little kids because we fear our parents- we do right because they taught us proper behavior and we want to honor them.
Thanks for the visit and comment!