Apologetics

If we had no vices, we would have no use for the training of virtues at all. You see vice in the Church. Very well. The Church was founded on one who denied Christ three times. Vice is a given. But can you see virtue, as well? Can you see a billion learning how to love, as you see a million learning how to hate? There is so much that is good in this. Do not throw away the baby (Jesus) with the holy water. Sure, it got a little dirty when Mary baptized him. What did you expect?

Religion, -- which is to say, the various outer forms of individual religions; their visible shells, if not the inner seed of truth they all share as one -- corresponds to a realm which is subjective, but no less REAL than the objective realm we hold in common. Shiva appears to a Hindu. Or Vishnu, or Brahma... Allah to the Muslim... I have Jesus. 

He is God, for me. For me, He is God. He is my personal choice for a "Divine Ideal". He is my avatar. But I do not begrudge other faiths their heroes. If they are idols to me, it is because they must be; because I can choose only one faith, one path, and cannot follow all at once.

And, yes, I would be lying if I said I did not secretly believe that I had guessed correctly; that, in some more objective sense, he really is the one and only true -- or, at any rate, the most honest and faithful, -- reflection of the Godhead and "the will of God for man".

I require a personal god; the most personal god; a brother in Christ, -- as well as a Way.

And I foresee a kingdom where Christianity overwhelms all faiths, not by force, but by love, and the most gentle persuasion. I see Buddhists of the future converting for the love of Jesus, and Pagans for the sake of Mary. And maybe it is only my arrogance or foolishness. But I think Christ deserves to win. Correction: I think he has won, and deserves the honor.

No, I do not mean to be antagonistic about it. Not at all. It is my opinion. And I would not force it on anyone, or threaten them with "hellfire". I only sing the most beautiful song I know, and hope one day they'll join me.

I can also sing with John:

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.
I hope one day you'll join us, and the world will live as one."

Of course, he was IMAGINING a world without religion. I know that. But I believe religion IS the dream. The deepest part of it, anyway. Beyond the firmament of artists. In the realm of the mystics. The ones who live in their creations, and make their lives their masterpiece. They are the cathedrals among men.