DaveToo

Today I begin a series of interactions with Julia Sweeney's audio performance,
"Letting Go Of God" .  Here's a link to a preview available on YouTube .  It contains most of the recording with which we will deal on this day. 

As I listen to the audio, I come to like Julia.  Obviously she is smart, with a fine command of words and an inquisitive mind.  She manages to interact and disagree, without being overly condescending and smarmy.  She never claims to be a theologian, just a smart woman in search of a meaningful understanding of God.  She is funny and insightful.  She was a devout Catholic and is now an atheist.  The recording is the story of her transition.  We will jump right in...

Julia Sweeney was told by her parents at age 7 that she had reached the "age of reason", and was now capable of committing any and all sins against man and God.  As she humorously shares, this was quite a bomb to drop upon an erstwhile happy little girl.  And in my opinion, what an unhealthy concept of God to instill into the mind of a child!  She goes on to tell how she was told, simultaneously, there was no Santa.  And so, it seems, God and Santa became ever connected for Julia.  God was like a Good Santa, until the "age of reason" comes along and transformed Him into a scowling and meticulous Judge.  And I do not think Julia is alone in having instilled into her young heart such a poor foundation for faith in God.  I recommend the person of Jesus Christ as the appropriate childhood model for God, not this fundamentalist, fire-breathing concept drudged from somewhere deep in the Old Testament.  Perhaps I was blessed with being raised by basically irreligious parents?  They did not use the fear of God to keep me straight.  As far as I could tell, God had very little to do with their everyday lives, and only showed up when we infrequently attended church.  Perhaps a warped view of God is more dangerous to a kid than no impression?

Julia goes on to share a life-altering encounter, a visit to her home by two Mormon missionaries.  Their message was not convincing.  Her incredulous description of their story of the Book of Mormon is quite funny.  And then she makes the interesting point that, as fantastic and unbelievable as the story of the Mormon religion might sound to an outsider, so the story of our traditional and Biblical faith may appear to the uninformed.  The Virgin Birth?  Son Of God?  Resurrection?  And you know what, this is a good point!  These are amazing stories.  Shame on us Christians for allowing them to become commonplace and ho hum. 

However, in the process of their conversation, the Mormon missionaries share some rather traditional beliefs with the adult Julia that I find a bit surprising that she does not seem to grasp.  Specifically they tell her that in Heaven we will be reunited with our loved ones and will have a new and perfect body.  These are clear and traditional Christian teachings, straight out of the Bible, true for Catholics, Protestants, and Mormons.  Sweeney is hilarious in her responses, but even as I chuckle I have to wonder why she would be in-the-dark about such matters.  I begin to suspect that she has not been exposed to a solid, Biblical, Christian foundation.  This becomes more obvious as the story unfolds.

And so comes the question that sparks in Julia Sweeney a search for spiritual significance: "Do you believe that God loves you with all His heart?"  She mulls it over in her mind.  "Believe?"  ; She feels, but that is not the same.  An interesting search unfolds.  In the next part of the story, she enrolls in a Bible class.  The Bible becomes to her anything but a neat and cozy story.  She finds much fault in the Holy Book.   Stay tuned!

I've been listening to Letting Go Of God , a brilliant, intriguing, and sometimes funny story by Julia Sweeney.  Sweeney is an actress/comic probably best remembered for her years on Saturday Night Live.  One can also enjoy her talents on the straight-to-video movies, Shaggy Dog 3 and Shaggy Dog 4.  Her history as a comic belies the fact she comes across as a warm and genuine person who has made a diligent search for a meaningful understanding of God.  And, thus the audio presentation that I have now heard numerous times.  She started out a traditional Catholic and is now an atheist, although she would prefer the term "naturalist".  Along the way she comes to reject the Bible, all versions of the church, dabbles with and rejects various religions, Intelligent Design, the idea of a Prime Mover, etc.  Now I know this is not the most scholarly, nor thorough, treatment of the matter.  But the performer manages to maintain a respect for the subject while offering a compelling case for her belief- or more appropriately, lack of belief.

I do not agree with her.  Many have made the same diligent search, with as much integrity, and found opposite understanding.  But I do not want to jump into the full discussion at this time...

Would you consider finding a copy of Sweeney's c-d and giving it a listen?  I downloaded it from audible for about nine bucks, a worthy investment, and listen on my Zen while driving.  You could probably find it at the library.  If you order it from Sweeney, it includes a booklet and a few other trinkets.  What I would like to do is spend several blogs in conversation with what she has to say.  And I will do this even if you do not listen to her performance.  Well, I guess I will do it even if you do not read what I have to say!

Some would question why I, a Christian, would want to bother with what an avowed atheist would have to say/write?  Perhaps they would counter with talk about light and darkness, and that a good Christian should be reading the Bible and carefully approved Christian books.  I do read the Bible regularly.  Currently I am reading a fine book about preaching by John Stott .  And I am proud to say I have never read anything by Joel Osteen or T. D. Jakes!  But, this woman is not "evil" because she is an atheist.  There is good in her, and she has some good things to say.  Too many go through life simply accepting what they are told.  And thus they end up being afraid of those like Julia Sweeney, because she has examined life and offers answers to their sometimes shallow platitudes.  I do not think Christianity is shallow- it offers the best answers to the deepest questions of life.  However, many and perhaps most Christians have chosen to be shallow.  Thinking is too much work.  Challenges to faith become a threat, fearful and labeled as unnecessary. 

We need not avoid Julia Sweeney.  Nor need we lose our faith simply because she has chose to do so. 

Here's something radical to consider:  Perhaps, every good Christian needs a friendly neighborhood atheist?  An earnest disbeliever (And I am not embracing those who are brutish, intentionally rude, condescending, and delight in offending all who claim to see God differently.  They come along this blog, periodically, just to spew venom.  Whether believer or not, such does not serve well what one purports to believe.) can serve to keep us honest, and sharp.

Grab your copy of Letting Go Of God, and let's get to pondering...

I’ve struggled with trying to change her long enough.  No, I’m not talking about my wife- she put a stop to that futile effort long ago.  And my daughter?  She continues the wonderful and head-splitting enigma whom I adore.  But, my mom surely needs to change, and periodically I take up the hammer and chisel to again seek to free the work of art that I see within.  Oh I love her.  No doubt about that.  But she has words and ways about her that can drive me crazy.  And I would very much like to make her a “mother in my own image”.   So I try to change her.  But she simply will not cooperate!  She is stubborn.  She is set in her ways.  Sometimes, she is downright obstinate.

So, what do you do with someone you cannot change?  Surely many of you can relate.  Mostly mine is a struggle with personality.  Some of you deal with issues much more complex and life affecting.  When you desperately want to change someone, and he or she will not cooperate, then what do you do?

The best advice I know is to learn to love and appreciate this person as she is, right now.  Beyond your differences are surely some things to admire?  Since it is likely someone you love and with whom you share an ongoing connection, then I would guess that she has been picking-up on some of the vibes from your disapproval.  Try enjoying what is good about this person.  My mom has some great stories to tell, and she really needs someone to listen.  She has keen insights into life and human nature.  And, she absolutely adores her children.  If I let her, she will gladly tell me what she sees as so great about me.  So what if she views me through the forgiving and rose-colored glasses of a doting mother?  And I can always use the shot of esteem she is so very good with administering.

Change?  People are much more likely to change when you love them and give them some slack.  And prayer sure helps.  I would advise to never quit.  Never quit admiring the good in your loved one, never quit connecting in an affirming relationship, and never quit praying.  You will find amazing what God is able to do within such a process.

Mom gazed my way the other day, characteristically hesitated before she spoke, and then said: “Dave, the thing about you is that you are just like me.  You look like me.  And, you act like me.  You’re just another me!”  Wow.  I did not know what to say.