vvv,
Robust discussion and dialogue are the alternative to war, civil or otherwise.
However, where do we start if you will not acknowledge a distinction between science and religion, between cognitive knowledge and faith commitment, between Plato and God?
These distinctions must be made and the logical consequences accepted *before* we can move on toward a mystical or Hegelian/Nietzschian transcendance of such dualisms. Without step 1, step 2 is but confusion. When politics is thrown into the mix, the confusion is dangerous and will surely lead to bloodshed.
Have you not heard of the idea of paradox, of only *apparent* contradiction? The apparent inconsistency of “Jesus was a man” and “Jesus is the Son of God” is in fact a profound paradox with which rational Christians have struggled for two millenia. I think it is the “Jesus was insane” bit that bothered you. With enough time and talk we could sort that one out but I can see that it is very far from your current view (though I don’t know it exactly since you’ve chosen to remain silent on your own beliefs).
I don’t find God in the Koran as does Salim Mansur but we share a love of the mystic poet Rumi who characterizes his relationship with God, with soul, with lost lover, as that of a pair of drunks.
you are drunk
and i’m intoxicated
no one is around
showing us the way home
again and again
i told you
drink less
a cup or two
i know in this city
no one is sober
one is worse than the other
one is frenzied and
the other gone mad
come on my friend
step into the tavern of ruins
taste the sweetness of life
in the company of another friend
here you’ll see
at every corner
someone intoxicated
and the cup-bearer
makes her rounds
i went out of my house
a drunkard came to me
someone whose glance
uncovered a hundred
houses in paradise
rocking and rolling
he was a sail
with no anchor but
he was the envy of all those sober ones
remaining on the shore
where are you from i asked
he smiled in mockery and said
one half from the east
one half from the west
one half made of water and earth
one half made of heart and soul
one half staying at the shores and
one half nesting in a pearl
i begged
take me as your friend
i am your next of kin
he said i recognize no kin
among strangers
i left my belongings and
entered this tavern
i only have a chest
full of words
but can’t utter
a single one
– Translation by Nader Khalili
“Rumi, Fountain of Fire”, 1991
Cal-Earth Press, 1994
If this tavern dries up, we can adjourn to another, if you like. I know comments get cut off here, but you’re welcome to come and talk with me anytime at the Religion forum at free2code dot net.
Best wishes,
A
