The Extra-Religious Jesus, Part 2

The Extra-Religious Jesus, Part 2

“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.[1]

I almost hate to admit this publicly, but I am frequently embarrassed to call myself a Christian. I am careful with whom, when, and where I profess my Christian beliefs, knowing it means very different (and often offensive) things to different people. The problem is not with calling myself a Christian as I understand the term; the problem occurs because I do not wish to associate myself with supporters of the fundamentalist, homophobic, violence-supporting, right-wing Republican cult that seems to have co-opted the public face of Christianity today. As I quoted Mahatma Gandhi saying last week: “(They) are so unlike your Christ.” When I do expose myself as a Christian, I feel the need to qualify the sort of Christian I consider myself to be. I also confess part of me looks askew at anyone today who openly proclaims themselves as Christian. This causes me great sadness for I still believe all people are beloved children of God, even if I don’t care to associate or be associated with some of them.

Jesus of Nazareth neither defended his Jewish beliefs, nor did he try to convert others to Judaism, nor is there evidence he considered his Jewish status as superior to those with other or no religious beliefs. His life and teachings were never intended to form a religious belief system but to teach a way of life that would bring one into better alignment with the creative and sustaining forces of the universe, forces he referred to as God or Father. He sought to teach a way into what he called the kingdom (or realm) of heaven, which was not a faraway, future destination for faithful Jews (or Christians) but a place where diverse people of all cultures, languages, and religions could live together in harmony. And that is the sense in which I call Jesus extra-religious. His Way is beyond any particular religion, even as it encompasses all religions.

At their essence, at least in my experience, all enduring religious belief systems share a few core values in common: caring for others, reducing suffering, and leading others to a more unified way of living. That’s what Jesus taught and modeled for us. It is what the Buddha taught, and it’s what the revered teachers of Hindu and other belief systems taught. Certainly, there are cultural differences and other surface distinctions, but at their heart they are One. The problems and schisms occur as we attempt to shrink expansive teachings into firm rules and doctrines, trying to make concrete what was always intended to be fluid, trying to attain certainty with something far beyond our ability to completely understand.

A few of the core, personal directives of Jesus that set us on a path to a holier life, or toward the kingdom of heaven, include being salt, acting as yeast, and being light to and in our surroundings. Salt, yeast, and light all act upon and change their environments in transformative ways just by being who they are or doing what they do. Salt, used correctly, enhances the flavor of food. It also helps to preserve food longer. So being salt for others is finding ways to enhance their lives, not by trying to change them, but by waking up that which is already within them.

Yeast, when added to bread dough, causes the bread to rise and become a fuller, more flavorful version of itself. It doesn’t change the composition of the bread as much as it helps it express more fully a potential that is already within the bread. Acting as yeast is a blessing we can offer to others – not by changing them or pointing out their failings, but by being an encouragement to help them blossom in their own, unique, God-given way.

Light reveals what is hidden in darkness. Physical light exposes the contents of a dark room. Spiritual light uncovers spiritual mysteries. Insight provides information to better understand puzzling situations. Knowledge dispels ignorance. Being light to the world does not mean being a spotlight revealing the shortcomings of others but being a source of illumination that helps others discover the treasures they already hold within themselves. All of our fears stem from the lack of light, so as we add light to our environments by being who we are at our essence, more truth is revealed and fear dissipates in our lives as well as in those around us. Light, in its many forms, shows us the Way. It is what Jesus brought to us and what we are to bring to others. No church, no Bible, no creeds or doctrines required. It is a brilliant teaching that allows us to comfortably choose a religion, a church, or to simply claim ourselves as part of the growing number considering themselves as spiritual but not religious.

This is the 50^th in a series titled Crucifying Christianity, Resurrecting the Way.Life Notes are my explorations into mysteries that interest me. They are invitations for readers to explore more deeply into life’s mysteries. Engage with me or explore contemplative spiritual direction at ghildenbrand@outlook.com.

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[1] Quote attributed to Mahatma Gandhi