The old has gone, the new has come or should it? The word tradition comes from the word trade and is a reference to trading down something, including myths, folklore, faiths, superstitions, habits, hobbies and even emotional hungers. To most, it is the transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation, customs that seem precious if only for sentimental reasons, however irrelevant they may seem over time. It is also Theology, a doctrine believed to have divine authority though not always or necessarily supported by scriptures. Scholarship calls it oral tradition especially in light if the fact that most people in the ancient world were illiterate. When it comes to thorough scriptural examination most, including thousands of ministers remain illiterate to this day. This is not a criticism as much as an observation after over 42 years of credentialed, licensed ministry, affiliation with scores of denominations and religious organizations and world travel. I am concerned. I actually love tradition and love the church. I was raised in it and enjoyed some of the most poignant and unforgettable experiences of my life. I also love the old shoe box, my dad made in the Boys Club over 75 years ago, which we used in our home 60 yrs ago and which I saw in his closet in Tulsa a few weeks ago. Hes never parted with it and has verbally willed it to me as a keep sake of precious sentimental value and cherished tradition on a personal level. Its relevance as a cherished relict is just that, a relict, a thing that has survived from an earlier period or in a previous and sometimes primitive form. Again, I am referring here to wineskins, more than wine or spirit. But both remain in the discussion. The cultural, social, emotional and yes, even the spiritual sincerity many, including me, connect with, what the Apostle Paul in scripture termed, the traditions of his elders is a deeply embedded indoctrination and a huge challenge to relinquish. I do not in anyway deny or denounce my personal experiences of transcendence over the years of my life. I just recognize there is more and that some of the pasts can both obscure and obstruct progressive spiritual and personal growth and expanded consciousness. Many legally divorced people go on in life successfully and happily without ever denying that the love, commitment, passion and ingratiation of the former relationship or marriage was authentic, though now a thing of the past and no longer fits in their present life values or virtues. It seems both strange, less idealistic and to some, sinful, but to those who have moved on, often a life enhancing blessing. Modern traditional religion is rapidly becoming that; cherished, precious and even celebrated but less and less relevant in the old paradigm and as it. Holding on to it, for sentimental reasons can prove destructive and counter-productive. Its like continuing to insist that the old Morse Code a brilliantly fantastic way of communicating when it was invented IN 1836, would best serve communication needs of today. The wardrobe, style and size you wore as a child, teenager or even perhaps 10 years ago, for the most part may not fit you or flow as acceptable culture or style today. Repairing and/or re-fitting old clothes is at times appropriate and necessary, but there comes a time when they should be replaced. Store them if you like or give them away, but sometimes doing either is inappropriate except a few for sentimental reasons, because theyre worn ragged, down and out. The Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Islam, Christianity including 1.1 billion Roman Catholics are all under deeper than normal global scrutiny, mostly by their own adherents, particularly the young generations. All three religions other than being tied to horrible hatred, exclusionism, betrayal and a history of violence and murder are being reconsidered as to their relevance and positive significance, if any in modern times, in a world desperately weary of the global tensions and eagerly interested in the peace many of us still believe is possible and once thought our religions would procure. Everything is consciousness and perception. I invite you to clear the path for personal evolution and expansion. It is powerful and ever so freeing! We who want it can all enjoy it together anew!
Posted on: Sat, 16 Nov 2013 03:42:13 +0000
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