Monday, February 27, 2006

Being good isn't always easy, no matter how hard I try









BloggingMone said...

Errm... I am not entirely sure that my English is good enough to express what I mean, but I will have go: I think the basic problem is that our western culture has most of its roots in Christianity. Basic rules of everyday life, how to treat or not to treat other people and so on derive from Christian values. Therefore those who believe do have a far better standing than those who do not. You do not have to justify your believe, you only have to justify your disbelieve. And as nuns are the most dedicated believers they do not have to justify anything. They are good by definition, so who are we to argue? It is a no win situation, because nothing they believe in can be prooved, but nevertheless they have all the morality and can't be questioned. All the nuns I have met before were really great personalities and very much devoted to their work and they were all extremely happy, which is good. But I also think that happiness comes easy if you do not have to care about any real life problems, like paying the rent, having arguments with your partner, job problems, etc.

Charlesdawson said...

My infancy was dominated by teaching nuns, and I have worked with nursing nuns. Most of them I have found to be emotionally, just like anyone else, but then I never met any novices, who have to be protected from the cold winds of the world's cynicism.

Your Sister Mary is presumably in the honeymoon stage still; sadly, like human-based love, the euphoria will pass and settle down, and there will also be periods of disillusionment and doubt, even with a perfect Being; although she is unlikely to share that with a lay person. (If she does, it will be the greatest compliment she could pay you.) Meanwhile, I can only suggest that you treat her as you would any other friend in the first flush of a love-affair.

Some religious even seek out personal suffering in order to offer it up on behalf of others.

The Goldfish said...

I think Mone (who explained herself very well) has a very good point about the lack of worries. Mary is sorted now for life; she'll never have to worry about relationships or money matters and even concerns about her health can be put in a different context. That's most ordinary folks worries dealt with.

I also think Charles is spot on about the honeymoon period. Mary has had periods of spiritual... anxiety in the past and of course it will happen again; in fact I have far more respect for anyone, Christian or atheist who has moments of doubt about their particular take on things.

Anonymous said...

Speaking as a disabled practicing Christian (I need to practice because I’m rubbish at it!), I have given some thought to the subject of healing. Quite early on after I acquired my degenerative impairment, I submitted (somewhat reluctantly) to laying on of hands, anointing and prayer for healing; but nothing changed.
With the benefit and maturity of hindsight, I realise now how much disability and my impairment have contributed to my social and political identity and, I believe, have made me a “better” person.
This is nothing to do with seeking out suffering or denying the flesh. But why would I want healing from this physical condition which has made, and continues to make, me who I am? And why would God want to do that to me?

The Goldfish said...

I think it was one of the Old Testament chappies beginning with an E (long time since I read the Bible) who said something along the lines of,

"Who would choose to straighten what God has made crooked?"