Is there any difference between man? His appearance is
distinct, DNA construct differs in magnitudes and his choices are taken from a
probability distribution that has infinite selections. Yet, man is the same.
Whether our creation is a result of a uniquely made-up context or the result of
natural evolution originating from the same "swamp", we share
something so uniquely common. Is it perhaps not by chance that you have what
you have and are who you are in this moment? What predestined you to be so
fortunate to own things or what predestined you to experience such misery as
pain and hunger. Once we think about our life's situation we make the object of
life what we have and who we are. We then differentiate ourselves. We are then
unequal in our unit of measurement.
This is an illusion. We are not the things we own but are
defined by our understanding of who we are. Once we understand that we entered
the world nakedly and will leave the world with nothing, then we start to
understand that what we have, whether it be a lot or nothing, does not
determine who we are. Thus, whatever you have is a gift. For it was given to
you, whether it be intelligence or strength or anything else. But the gift
itself means nothing if it is not put to good use. It means nothing if the gift
itself becomes the object of our struggles in life. The gift has no meaning
other than satisfying our own selfish and proud desires to be worshipped by
people. Once you understand, as Kierkegaard puts it, that you are lowlier than
the gift, you then come to appreciate and give thanks to the giver. Then you
will also be able to give everything away without it becoming a burden.
We should then head the pleas of the needy. They are in need
of a gift. Do not refrain from giving, but give joyfully without any
expectations. If you expect something in return, be it respect or admiration,
then you have exalted yourself above the gift that comes from God. And if it
troubles you to give what has been given to you, then give it all away since it
only burdens your soul to keep things. There is no use in giving when you are
being glorified. Give so that God receives the glory for we are in the business
of saving souls and not in the business of becoming gods.
Money is only a subset of what constitutes as a gift. Your
advice, your sympathy and your care form part of giving to others. Remember
that you are not above these gifts. Lower yourself when giving. The purpose of
giving and receiving is so that we understand what equality is before God. The
gift in itself cannot differentiate us in God's sight. We are all equal.
Be wary not to think that giving is beneath you. Be cautious
not to elevate yourself thinking others are not worthy of receiving. Don't deceive
yourself by thinking that what you give will be used for ill conceived
purposes. What you have is not yours! Life is about honouring God. It will be a
great benefit to all of us to remember scripture. Jesus healed the blind man by
saying he should go wash himself in the river. Jesus gave him this gift without
expecting anything in return. God gave us the gift of salvation even though we
don't deserve it and "squander" it. We should follow this example!
Your blog entry made me think so I decided to comment just to give a different perspective on this issue. I am not sure that I agree with the assertion that we are all equal. I understand that it was made from a standpoint that God views us (and loves us) all the same. I struggle with that idea, least of all because I don’t believe in a God (not in the way described by any religion, anyway). Practically speaking, I would agree with the assertions that we are all created equal and that we should all be treated equally under the law. However, we are not equal. Even though we are created equal, it is what we do with our time on earth that separates us (in theory, we should not be separated by things that have to do with culture, race, gender, etc. - yet in practice, this is not the case). We should be treated equally under the law, but there are many examples where this is not the case (people with political connections or with material wealth can always buy themselves out of trouble; some people are not even given the opportunity to exercise their basic human rights... newspapers are full of these stories). We do share things in common - we are all born, we live (some more than others) and we die, we are all part of this world, we all breathe, eat, etc. I believe that the idea of equality (whether based on religious, political or any other grounds) is a social construct one that can get societies into trouble - i.e. entitlement cultures, lack of striving to better oneself, political systems that do more harm than good, etc. (it can also give power to certain groups above others - this belief that we are all equal in the eyes of God can result in people accepting negative situations that they are in and not striving for anything better in this life, thus not only disadvantaging themselves but also dishonouring God by not utilising their God-given talents). People should be able to objectively evaluate themselves, and particularly in relation to others. We are not doing anyone any favours by making them think that they are equal to everyone else (it can give them a false notion of themselves whether they are above the average or below it). I can’t even agree with the notion that people are all equally adept at being alive, because some are better at it than others. We are just created equal - by “created” I mean made through the same process. The (final) product is not the same. We are all given certain talents which are not equal and the randomness of human development (driven by choices, external factors, etc.) further separates us. Now if you believe that this “randomness” is not random but is actually controlled by God, then it is God himself that separates us and makes us unequal (I understand that there is an element of choice and free will here, but that was also given to us by God). I am not saying this to place blame on God, but how can one say that God views us all equally when we are so obviously treated differently?
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ReplyDeletePerhaps you can argue that the material world is like an illusion to God, but to us it is very real and we are a part of it, if only temporarily. Perhaps that is also what offers a consolation to so many people in difficult situations and why so many look forward to the “next world”. The philosophy behind these notions makes one handle and face life a little bit more easier. But it is where it gives people an unhealthy and unrealistic view of themselves and this world that it becomes a problem. I believe that one can adopt a healthy stance on this whole unequal condition of human existence - i.e. it can but does not need to define us, it is merely a condition that we are in and as such can be overcome and used to do good (for example, give of oneself without expecting anything in return). And I agree with you that it should not be used to elevate oneself, or alienate and/or oppress others. What I am trying to say is that even in a world like ours, filled with inequalities and imperfections, people can be (or at least strive to be) self-sufficient, ethical and socially conscious (i.e. generous and giving individuals), as well as critical thinking individuals. And one does not need to be a believer to achieve this.