{"id":12945,"date":"2022-05-25T18:51:25","date_gmt":"2022-05-25T18:51:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/?p=12945"},"modified":"2022-06-25T22:52:50","modified_gmt":"2022-06-25T22:52:50","slug":"a-mystic-christian-baffle-em-with-bs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/?p=12945","title":{"rendered":"On Mystic Christians – “The real ones?”"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Was Obi-Wan Kenobi<\/a> the original Mystic Christian<\/strong>? (As in, “May the Force be with you<\/a>…<\/em>“)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

*   *   *   *<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I’ve been struggling with what to call myself in the current, ongoing Culture war<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I despise the Radical Right – as heartless – but they don’t understand it when I respond, “Liberal my ass, I’m an Independent.<\/strong><\/em>” I tried that label back in July 2016, with The Independent Voter<\/a>, and in 2019’s A reminder: \u201cI\u2019m an INDEPENDENT (Voter)<\/a>.” I also tried “Contrarian,” back in a November 2016 post, \u2018Mi Dulce\u2019 \u2013 and Donald Trump \u2013 made me a Contrarian<\/a>. Then there was the February 2021 post, \u201cI used to be quiet and shy, all moderate and nicey-nicey<\/a>.” That one talked of me being “one of those people suffering from Trump fatigue<\/a>.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So what am I? “Independent?” “Contrarian?” Somewhere between <\/strong><\/em>Radical Left and Wacko Right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A week or so ago I tried the “Independent” label once again with my current lady friend. (Another conservative who voted for Trump; they’re all over the dang place<\/em><\/strong>.) But it didn’t go over – it “didn’t compute” – possibly because the label was too complicated. (For “those people.”<\/em>) So I decided to “baffle them with BS.” (From a Quote by W.C. Fields<\/a>, detailed in the notes.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put another way, I’ve decided to take the high road, to get away from talking politics altogether. (On Facebook, or dealing personally with Right-wing Wackos.)<\/em> I turn the tables and use the Bible against them<\/strong><\/em>, saying things like, “How does that save souls?” It drives them crazy – which is worth the price of admission alone – mostly because “those people” have been using the Bible to advance their reactionary political agenda for decades now. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(There’s more on that radical agenda below…)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Besides, using “Mystic Christian” bring up the title of my new. soon-to-be-published book. The full title is “On Mystic Christians – (You know, the real ones?)”<\/strong><\/em> It follows up a book I did in 2018, \u201cNo Such Thing as a Conservative Christian<\/a>.” (Under my nom de plume, “James B. Ford.”) <\/em>It was designed as a bit of payback<\/a>, or “turnabout is fair play,” a way of evening things out, mostly in response to Rick Santorum’s saying in 2008 that there\u2019s “no such thing as a liberal Christian.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The point is that logic and reason are mostly wasted in addressing the Wacko Right, “those people” who generally have no<\/strong><\/em> sense of humor. Which brings to mind an earlier mystic – and devout Roman Catholic – Thomas Merton<\/a>. Someone asked him how you could tell if a person is “enlightened.” (Having gone through an inner, spiritual transformation.)<\/em> He smiled and said, \u201cWell it is very difficult to tell but holiness is usually accompanied by a wonderful sense of humor.\u201d And such a sense of humor is noticeably lacking in the Radical Right. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a related note, here\u2019s another by-the-way<\/em>: If you think I was being too political back in 2018 – when I published “No Such Thing as a Conservative Christian<\/a>” – check out Televangelist Pat Robertson says God told him Trump will win<\/a>. (Or Google<\/a> \u201cpastor God Trump win,\u201d for similar results.) Either way, I\u2019d say Robertson\u2019s message from God got \u201cgarbled in transmission.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The point is, if I was <\/em><\/strong>way too militant back then, I wasn\u2019t the only one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*   *   *   *<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I originally planned to have this post feature early pages in the ‘Mystic Christian’ book. I included those pages in the notes, but here are some highlights. Like how conservative Christians interpret most<\/em><\/strong> of the Bible literally, but not<\/em><\/strong> \u2013 in one glaring example \u2013 \u201cThe Bible\u2019s \u2018erotic love song:\u201d But why<\/strong><\/em> don\u2019t such Literalists interpret \u201cSong of Songs<\/a>\u201d literally? Why don\u2019t they adhere to the \u201cexact letter or the literal sense\u201d for this book, like all the others in the Bible?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some Bible Literalists become snake handlers, based on a too<\/strong><\/em>-literal interpretation of Mark 16:18: \u201cThey will pick up snakes with their hands.\u201d But I would say: \u201cBe consistent. If you\u2019re going to interpret Mark 16:18 literally, you should do the same with Song of Solomon<\/a> <\/em><\/strong>7:1-3: \u2018Your rounded thighs are like jewels\u2026 Your two breasts are like two fawns\u2026\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a more serious note – and speaking of using the Bible to advance a political agenda – there’s a question, Did Evangelicals Make Trump Their Messiah<\/a>? (From early in the ‘Mystic’ book.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The article opined that initially many Evangelicals supported Trump because they thought he shared the same politics and values. But then it seems that some Evangelicals \u2013 and other Christians \u2013 \u201csupported him because they thought he was a Messiah. They saw Trump as infallible and became his disciples.\u201d Which led one pastor (Franz Gerber) to worry that many in his congregation seemed to idolize Trump more than they worshipped Jesus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cNothing good can come from putting any single person on a spiritual pedestal. No one is infallible, no one is free from bias, and no one is honest all of the time, no matter how hard they may strive\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Returning to \u201cTrump-Messiah<\/a>,\u201d it noted the seeming hypocrisy of evangelicals who insist that Trump\u2019s \u201cmorality\u201d was nobody\u2019s business but God\u2019s, \u201cwhile also casting great judgment on non-believers or those who don\u2019t believe as they do.\u201d Then came the matter of media coverage:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat makes a good president is the ability to survive our constant scrutiny and the scrutiny of the free press. Through this process, which is critical, we can get a better sense of whether a politician is trying their best, and whether or not they generally have Americans\u2019 best interests in mind\u2026\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

And speaking of borrowing a page from the Trump playbook – “baffling them with BS” – try this on for size. (Demonstrating how a mystic – Christian or otherwise – sees things differently.)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By his own admission, Donald Trump is: 1) a very stable genius, 2) a master negotiator, and 3) a true American patriot. Aside from that, he’s the only American Putin will allow into Russia.* With all that in mind, Trump could accept Putin’s invitation and negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine. By doing so he could end the needless suffering of millions of Ukrainians, and bring down the price of gas in America as well. If he did all that he would probably win the Nobel Peace Prize, which would certainly get him re-elected in 2024. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wonder if he’ll do it? (In other words, “Fish or cut bait<\/a><\/em>.”)<\/em> <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

*   *   *   *<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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*   *   *   *<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The upper image is courtesy of Obi-wan Kenobi Alec Guinness – Image Results<\/a>. See also Obi-Wan Kenobi – Wikipedia<\/a>.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Re: “Mystic.” For more see What is a Mystic and What Traits do they Typically Possess<\/a>? One definition: “an individual who is born into a very specific role. Gifted with a deeper understanding of spirituality, and possessing psychic gifts and abilities, their role is one of guidance. In essence, mystics are here to use their powers to show humanity the correct way to live.” Merriam-Webster<\/a> defines mysticism as “the belief that direct knowledge of God, spiritual truth, or ultimate reality can be attained through subjective experience (such as intuition or insight).” But see also Christian mysticism – Wikipedia<\/a>, noting the “mystical practices and theory<\/a> within Christianity<\/a>:” <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mysticism is not so much a doctrine as a method of thought<\/strong>. It has often been connected to mystical theology<\/a>, especially in the Catholic Church<\/a> (including traditions from both the Latin Church<\/a> and the Eastern Catholic Churches<\/a>) and Eastern Orthodoxy<\/a>… The attributes and means by which Christian mysticism is studied and practiced are varied. They range from ecstatic<\/a> visions of the soul’s mystical union with God<\/a> and theosis<\/a> (humans gaining divine qualities) in Eastern Orthodox theology<\/a> to simple prayerful contemplation<\/a> of Holy Scripture (i.e. Lectio Divina<\/a>).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Re: Thomas Merton<\/a> (1915-1968), “arguably the most influential American Catholic author of the twentieth century. His autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain, has sold over one million copies and has been translated into over fifteen languages. He wrote over sixty other books and hundreds of poems and articles on topics ranging from monastic spirituality to civil rights, nonviolence, and the nuclear arms race.”<\/em> See also Thomas Merton – Wikipedia<\/a>. His books included Zen and the Birds of Appetite<\/a>, Mystics and Zen Masters<\/a>, and the more conservative Praying the Psalms<\/a>: <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Merton: “To put it very plainly, the Church loves the Psalms because in them she sings of her experience of God, of her union with the Incarnate Word, of her contemplation of God in the Mystery of Christ….If we really come to know and love the Psalms, we will enter into the Church’s own experience of divine things. We will begin to know God as we ought.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Re: The Force be with you<\/a>. See Idioms … Free Dictionary<\/a>, referring to the catch prase adapted from “Star Wars,” in which it is used as a blessing, “to protect or guide the other person.” See also 1st Chronicles 22:11<\/a>, “The LORD be with you, and may you have success,” as well as Dominus vobiscum – Wikipedia<\/a>. The latter noted that the phrase “the Lord be with you” is an “ancient salutation and blessing<\/a> traditionally used by the clergy in the Catholic Mass<\/a> … as well as liturgies of other Western<\/a> Christian denominations, such as Lutheranism<\/a>, Anglicanism<\/a> and Methodism<\/a>.” The response is Et cum spiritu tuo<\/strong>, meaning “And with your spirit.” <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And speaking of “Wacko Right,” Donald Trump was among the first to use the term, back in 2000. See THE STAUNCH-RIGHT WACKO VOTE – The Fleming Foundation<\/a>, noting how in an early run against Pat Buchanan, “Trump told America that Buchanan\u2019s supporters were the ‘staunch-right wacko vote.’\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Re: “Baffle them with BS.” According to Goodreads<\/a>, the line is attributed to W.C. Fields: \u201cIf you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.\u201d See also idioms … Free Dictionary<\/a>: “In lieu of concrete facts or exceptional wit, you can convince people with artful, flowery, or misleading speech.” See also the Phrases<\/a> website, which noted that the maxim has “been proven<\/a> true, repeatedly, one need look no further<\/a> than the American<\/a> Republican party<\/a> for evidence. Facts<\/a> and logic<\/a> have been swamped<\/a> by absolutely<\/a> preposterous nonsense.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Re: Putin’s invitation to Trump. See Russia bans 963 Americans from the country including Biden, Harris, Zuckerberg. But not Trump.<\/a> For a different take, search “putin trump russia” for some interesting comments.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lower image is courtesy of Fish Or Cut Bait Images – Image Results<\/a>. Wikipedia<\/a><\/em> explained that this is a common English language colloquial expression, dating back to the 19th-century United States, which among other things, “cautions against procrastination and\/or indecisiveness.” Or in this case, saying you’re a very stable genius, a master negotiator and a true American patriot, but not doing anything with those sterling qualities. See also “Put up or shut up<\/a>.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

*   *   *   *<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is the complete cut-and-paste from the first part of the new “Mystic Christian” book: <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand there was my post, St. James \u2026 and the 7 blind men<\/a>. It included the \u201c<\/em>parable<\/a> of the <\/em>Blind men and elephant<\/a>,\u201d and this thought:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good Christians should be able to \u201cargue\u201d with each other \u2013in the good sense<\/em><\/strong>.<\/strong>(The sense of \u201ccivil\u201d lawyers presenting concise and reasoned bases to support their position, and not<\/em><\/strong> resorting to name-calling or \u201cad hominem<\/a>\u201d attacks.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And a heads up for this book: I\u2019ll have<\/a>St. James \u2026 and the 7 blind men<\/a>as a separate chapter later in the book. Before that though, it might help to review some parts of the \u201cNo Such Thing\u201d book. (Then came the part about “rounded thighs, followed by:)<\/em> – In the process of trying to find a less militant and more Christian<\/em><\/strong> title for this revised book, I originally came up with one that included \u201cEvangelical\u201d in quotation marks. I did that mainly because the word \u201cEvangelical\u201d these days means something way<\/em><\/strong> different than it used to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To see what I\u2019m talking about, search \u201ctrump and evangelicals today.\u201d I did that and got 167,000,000 results. (That\u2019s 167 million.) Those results included: 1) Trump Is Tearing Apart the Evangelical Church \u2013 The Atlantic<\/a>, The Evangelicals\u2019 Trump Obsession Has Tarnished Christianity<\/a>, and Did Evangelicals Make Trump Their Messiah<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taking them in order, Trump Is Tearing Apart<\/a> said the \u201caggressive, disruptive, and unforgiving mindset\u201d so much a part of our politics has \u201cfound a home in many American churches.\u201d Put bluntly, too many Christians have embraced the worst<\/em><\/strong> aspects of our culture and our politics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When the Christian faith is politicized, churches become repositories not of grace but of grievances, places where tribal identities are reinforced, where fears are nurtured, and where aggression and nastiness are sacralized. The result is not only wounding the nation; it\u2019s having a devastating impact on the Christian faith.<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Then there\u2019s The Evangelicals\u2019 Trump Obsession Has Tarnished Christianity<\/a>. It talked about how the Trump era has affected the ability of Christians to share the good news about Jesus in a diverse and skeptical world:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you believe \u2026 Jesus is \u201cthe way, the truth, and the life,\u201d then it makes sense to share the good news with everyone<\/strong>\u2026 But what happens when so many of Christ\u2019s messengers have sacrificed their credibility and moral high ground by allying with a controversial political figure[?]<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The author concluded, \u201cTrumpism, I would argue, has damaged the Christian brand, as well as the conservative brand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Then came the reference to Did Evangelicals Make Trump Their Messiah<\/a>, followed by:)<\/em> – Which brings us back to my struggle to find a better title for this new, updated, less hostile and more Christian re-write of the 2018 book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That struggle started back even before I published the 2018 book. I went back and forth on what to call it<\/em><\/strong>, and once tried, \u201cNot all Christians are Right-wing Wackos.\u201d That certainly was direct and eye-catching, but way too hostile. (Again, I\u2019m trying to be part of the solution, not part of the problem.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

*   *   *   *<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

*   *   *   * I’ve been struggling with what to call myself in the current, ongoing Culture war. I despise the Radical Right – as heartless – but they don’t understand it when I respond, “Liberal my ass, I’m an Independent.” I tried that label back in July 2016, with The Independent […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11,5],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12945"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=12945"}],"version-history":[{"count":112,"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12945\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13198,"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12945\/revisions\/13198"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=12945"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=12945"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/georgiawasp.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=12945"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}