There once was a man by the name of Ebenezer. Sadly Ebenezer did not believe in Love. As it happened his only experiences with the fairer sex had been with a few of the gals at Madame DuValle's establishment in White Chapel. His unrequited fondness for one lass named Grace (of all things) left him bitter and convinced that Love was a fairy tale made up to lure unsuspecting men into respectability and marriage. "All women are whores - they just get paid in different ways."
He would argue until he was blue in the face - "All these marriages are no proof that Love exists. Weak minded men allowed themselves to be trapped!" "There is no scientific basis for believing in Love!" "People are simply afraid to face the fact that we are all alone on this planet, so they create this elaborate illusion to deny that aloneness." "They need to justify their need for sexual release in more moral terms."
There was no convincing him that his non-belief based on limited understanding--nay, based on warped experiences, had left part of his being withered and empty. Rather than face this atrophied portion of human joy and existence, he stubbornly defended his non-belief.
To him, those individuals around him that declared their Love for their significant others were "misguided fools." "Everywhere I go, people are trying to convince me to believe in their so called Love." "Bah! Humbug!"
For the rest of his days, Ebenezer lived alone, venturing to Madame DuValle's, paying for female companionship, never understanding that the non-belief of which he was so proud, really left him an incomplete man--a man who did not really appreciate all that being human could be.
In the end, what had caused this non-belief in Ebenezer? Had disappointment in his childhood set him up to fail. Did he have too high expectations or a naive belief in what Love was as a youth and the rejection of Grace sent his image of Love crashing to the floor. What kept him from pursuing Love further even as an adult? Was it fear? Was it too much of a need of certainty or guarantee? Perhaps it was simply easier to non-believe than to believe.
Peace.
He would argue until he was blue in the face - "All these marriages are no proof that Love exists. Weak minded men allowed themselves to be trapped!" "There is no scientific basis for believing in Love!" "People are simply afraid to face the fact that we are all alone on this planet, so they create this elaborate illusion to deny that aloneness." "They need to justify their need for sexual release in more moral terms."
There was no convincing him that his non-belief based on limited understanding--nay, based on warped experiences, had left part of his being withered and empty. Rather than face this atrophied portion of human joy and existence, he stubbornly defended his non-belief.
To him, those individuals around him that declared their Love for their significant others were "misguided fools." "Everywhere I go, people are trying to convince me to believe in their so called Love." "Bah! Humbug!"
For the rest of his days, Ebenezer lived alone, venturing to Madame DuValle's, paying for female companionship, never understanding that the non-belief of which he was so proud, really left him an incomplete man--a man who did not really appreciate all that being human could be.
In the end, what had caused this non-belief in Ebenezer? Had disappointment in his childhood set him up to fail. Did he have too high expectations or a naive belief in what Love was as a youth and the rejection of Grace sent his image of Love crashing to the floor. What kept him from pursuing Love further even as an adult? Was it fear? Was it too much of a need of certainty or guarantee? Perhaps it was simply easier to non-believe than to believe.
Peace.
6 comments:
I think you've hit the nail on the head. Non-belief is more comfortable. You know exactly what you "paid for." It does not challenge you to any uncomfortable changings of one's mind. You never have to admit you might have been wrong, or grow, or change.
Ultimately, you know, that is the problem with that Jesus guy. He makes us uncomfortable because he tells us we have to do things like forgive, or love our neighbor that isn't very lovable, or actually be kind to the poor in a way other than throwing money at them from a distance.
Brilliant post!
But what about all those who are seeking love without finding it, and those who are desperate to find faith but simply cannot?
Erika - those folks are still seeking, they haven't stopped seeking, they aren't arrogantly convinced they know the answer...that was my point. Thanks for the feedback.
5000 hits? 5000 people times 5000 times 5000 more and more should read this brilliant post.
Maria had directed me here, but shiny objects (as they so often do) distracted me.
Your FB post calling me over was a gift.
To your hits - to your words - to you, prayers always.
Thanks, Fran!
Growth is uncomfortable and some people can't bear the pain. Just like we all have different levels of tolerance for physical pain, I think we have different levels of tolerance for spiritual/emotional pain. So maybe people who have these rigid beliefs have low spiritual frustration tolerance?
Post a Comment