My beloved religion professor from college, T. Canby Jones, often said that the opposite of faith isn’t atheism – it is apathy. Civilizations aren’t toppled by passion; they are destroyed by people who just don’t care. And the zealots they learn to fear. When faced with people who want to take over – people who want to have everything their way – we can either stand up and say no, or we can sit down and bury our heads in the sand – or a screen. I am all for caring passionately about what matters to me, but when that caring becomes maniacal and controlling, somebody needs to stop me. In all things, moderation (thanks, 8th century BCE Greek philosopher Hesiod).
Finding that balance in life can be a struggle. I have seen too many people find meaning in religion only to use it for selfish reasons. Cults are known for this kind of overreach; they capitalize on a new convert’s fervor and use it like some kind of pyramid scheme. I love God, and I am committed to Jesus, but it is not my place to force that faith perspective on others. I will share what I believe if someone asks me, but I won’t make them listen to some kind of sales pitch if they aren’t interested. It’s all part of that Golden Rule thing – I don’t do to others what I don’t want done to me. That doesn’t mean I don’t care; it means I respect people enough to have boundaries.
On the other hand, when we don’t speak up for what’s right, or, at least, against what is wrong, we leave the door open to others who would use their power and perspective to abuse people. We need to care about people’s rights – we need to care about protecting democracy – we need to care about those who have difficulty caring for themselves. We care about people’s well-being because that’s what human beings are supposed to do. When we stop caring, we give up. We lose hope. We disconnect. And – maybe – we lose some of that God-kissed spark that makes us special. We love because God loves us. We care because God cares about us. That’s why.
Prayer – Holy God, thank You for caring about us and teaching us to care for others. May our caring grow in our love for others. Amen.
Today’s art is “Holding Space” by Nicole Levesque.