Dan Brooks's Blog, page 18

The Danger Of Literalism

In Genesis there is the story of Noah, who was a drunk. Yet The Lord saw fit to choose him to build an Ark containing two of every kind of animal.
Many believe that this global flood covering the whole of the Earth is literal history.
Yet when Genesis was recorded no one had the concept of a round Earth. It is a better translation to say all known nations which for the ancient Jews would have been a few middle eastern countries. Not the whole of the Earth.
There was a flood in the Black Sea that would have devastated the region. To those in that area it would have encompassed all known lands.
There is no scientific data backing up a truly global flood. But then by taking the story of Noah too literally we miss the heart of the story.
This is a story about a family surviving the end of the world together and setting out to start anew the story of humanity.
This story is about trusting The Lord even when we don't understand why He is demanding these things of us. He has the big picture we don't, more often than not we are on a need to know basis.
Trust is key but it's also the point.
The Bible is a beautiful and sacred book but it was never intended to be history as we understand it today. Our modern understanding didn't really come about until the 20th century.
Herodotus is said to be the father of history but he also describes conversations with satyrs so clearly something is off if that is part of true history.
The danger in being too literal is that you miss the heart of what are often metaphorical devices. And literalism lends itself strongly to blind obedience.
Morality is doing what is right regardless of what you are told.
Obedience is doing what you are told regardless of what is right.
In John 8:1-12 we have Jesus being moral where others wish to be obedient.

Jesus went unto the Mount of Olives.

2 And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.

3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst,

4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.

7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?

11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

According to Mosaic law this crowd was right but just like in our time stoning someone to death is immoral. They were being obedient to the letter of the law until Christ refuted their actions with the spirit behind it. He reminded them that only God is our judge. Love the sinner and let God worry about their sins.

But we mustn't miss the metaphors, analogies, symbolism and literary devices found in scripture. They are the reasons the stories were passed on.

We must understand the spirit behind the law if we hope to fufill the letter of it.

Delusion And Truth

Thanks to the scientific method many otherwise unexplained phenomina have been explained, the universe has been unveiled in many ways.
But there are eternal questions that science may never answer simply because certain things in life fall outside the realm of scientific inquiry.
Questions like "what's the meaning of life?" Or "Is there a God?"
These questions are not scientific in origin but religion, theology and philosophy can aptly address those concerns.
What is delusion to one is truth to another. And even if one finds a suitable answer to these questions one can never prove their truth is truth, we have only our faith.
In western thought most think they are right and all who disagree are condemned for simply believing differently.
In western thought it seems differing beliefs are a hell worthy trespass.
But in eastern thought this is not the case.
In the Bhagavad Gita Krishna tells Arjuna that if one sees reality as it truly is and is free of delusion will see Krishna in all his glory. But Krishna also says that if one believe in a different God Krishna, being merciful, will bless them as the God they believe in.
But they will suffer under their delusions not because they worship differently but because delusion is it's own punishment just as truth is it's own reward.
I think the eastern attitude toward believing differently is healthier for all involved.
Buddha once said "You are not punished for your sins, you are punished by them."
This is the eastern approach that seems wise to me. No need for making a bad situation worse by punishing or shaming or demeaning those who simply believe differently or who love differently.
No need to bang your head against a brickwall preaching to those who will not listen.
It is easier and healthier to accept people for who they are, flaws, sins, warts and all.
Who are any of us to judge any way? We are all sinners and it's extremely hypocritical to judge when we sins as much or worse than others even if we sin differently.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

We are punished by our sins, not for them. We are trapped by our delusions, not punished or shamed because of them.

But the truth shall set you free.

The Mormon Left

The Mormon left makes up about ten percent of total membership based on a 2012 survey. I assume it is that low because so many members are walking away from the church.
What this means is that though ten percent is a small margin that ten percent can not be marginalized, excommunicated, shunned or ignored without serious consequences for the church at large.
Concerns over sexism, racism and homophobia must be addressed. 
While doctrine can't be changed on a whim, according to an award winning essay on race and the priesthood ban, the reason for the ban and the reason for its duration was the personal opinions of church leaders.
So how are we to know, minus a revelation, that current policies are of God and not merely the opinions of current leaders?
If the ban on black men holding the priesthood was the result of leaders rather than the way of The Lord as those leaders said it was then we are left with the only alternative which is to seek personal revelation from The Lord to discern the ways of The Lord from the ways of our leaders.
I was always taught to pray as to the truth of everything I heard regardless of who said it. So that I would have my own testimony rather than basing my testimony in another.
This teaching seems to have been lost.
Many things about the church and it's history trouble me. But my relationship with Christ makes me feel like all of that is inconsequential. Faith in God, and accepting and implementing the call of discipleship to Christ trump all for me.
I understand the hurt many members feel over issues ranging from sexism to homophobia, but a relationship with Christ matters more, at least for me, than the actions of men in our church or out of it.
We are a part of The Church Of Jesus Christ. He is the leader we need to look to especially when we feel disconnected to our earthly leaders.
When we see in our times or in history, leaders of the church acting out of harmony with Christ while claiming His authority it can be disturbing.
But men are flawed and so we see proof of that, that's not an excuse it's just the way it is.
For me, my relationship with Christ is central to me. It's Christ who has the final say. He will sit in judgment of each of us. And when that happens all other authorities will seem trivial by comparison.

Free From Sin

Jesus taught a parable about sin and how we may be free from it.

"34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." John 8:34-36

Jesus, The Son of God, has made us free from sin through the atonement. We may never recieve forgiveness from others but if we repent and seek forgiveness from The Lord we will be free indeed.

But it's not forgiveness from others that completes the process of repentance, it's forgiving oneself.

It's not just a one way street in loving The  Lord, we must love all His children including ourselves.

Loving ourselves and forgiving ourselves is often the hardest thing to accomplish.

Often we see the example of a sinless Jesus who was perfect in thought, speech and in deed, and we count every one of our sins and rake ourselves over the coals harsher than any critic ever could.

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

Paul tells us that we have all fallen short of the glory of God but through the atonement we may recieve remission of our sins because Jesus paid our debt.

Forgiving others is part of what we are called to do but forgiving ourselves is key just as loving others is part of accepting the call to discipleship but loving ourselves is also key.

We must first love and forgive ourselves or we can not love or forgive others, not truly.

And we must also accept the consequences of our words and deeds. Being forgiven or loved does not alter the consequences of our sins. That is penance of sorts that can not be avoided.

Jesus responded to Peters question as to how many times we must forgive others.

"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." Matthew 18:21-22

Seventy times seven was a term for infinity so Jesus is teaching that true forgiveness is infinite just as true love is without terms and conditions so too forgiveness has no limits or conditions.

With love and forgiveness dwelling within us we experience peace as we also exude those qualities we live in peace.

Righteous Judgement

From Torah.org there is this translation of the mishna 1:6 "Yehoshua ben Prachiah and Nitai HaArbeili received from them (Yossi ben Yoezer and Yossi ben Yochanan). Yehoshua said: Make for yourself a Rav (a teacher); acquire for yourself a friend; and judge every person on the positive side."
This means when making a judgement call we ought to weigh the scales of judgement in favor of those we judge.
This is also known as judging favorably.
This has been the understanding of Leviticus 19:15 "15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour."
So it has been understood amongst the Jewish people since before Christ that righteous judgement entails judging with our scales of judgement weighted towards innocence rather than guilt.
Which leads me to believe that it was with this understanding in mind that Christ said this in John 7:24:
"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment."
Christ seems to have taught this same principle of making judgements yet so many others want to believe that righteous judgement means that they have free reign to judge others negatively and as harshly as they feel like and that by pointing out all their sins and that signifies their own righteousness above others.
But Jesus did not say that. His understanding is more nuanced. 

Matthew 7:1-5 "Judge not, that ye be not judged.

2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

For me personally I have a better understanding of the power of righteous judge mental or judging favorably.

I have this understanding because of what I experienced in a near death experience.

I had taken several bottles of sleeping pills and a lot of rum and I laid down on my hotel bed and lost consciousness.

The next thing I know I am sitting in a small but cozy room with pillows and blankets all over. And there was a man saying he was my guide on the other side. I was told I was dead and that it was such a shame because there was so much I was needed to do and that there was so much I hadn't experienced, things that one can only experience in this life. 

The more my guide went on like that the more I regretted my choice to die. I have never regretted anything more than I did in that moment. And then I remember thinking I would do anything, I would give anything to have another chance. And then I woke up in the hospital.

But my guides words stuck with me he said that I was a good person but I had made bad decisions. I was told that I had a good heart but made bad choices.

All I could remember at the time was how generic this man looked. He at no time gave his name. But just a few months ago I saw yet another depiction of Jesus and though a person identified this Jesus as who he met in his near death experience I did not expect anything different from any other Jesus picture but when I saw it I was transported back to that cozy room with my guide. I believe that guide was Jesus, I believe He judged me favorably and I feel I should judge others as favorably as my Savior did and continues to do for me.

The Gift Of The Gospel

 There are many ideas in the gospel that make scripture reading riveting to me. But the point of the gospel or the essence of it is love. President Monson had a talk called "Love: the essence of the gospel" this last April.
More than that the gospel Jesus preached was not about riveting an audience with great ideas, the point was to get people to actually live those teachings.
The beauty of the gospel is only truly evident when it is lived and Christ-like love is shared one to another, when one experiences forgiving others seventy times seven(or infinity) or received forgiveness and been set free. Or have forgiven themselves and been set free.
As far as this idea of being set free goes Jesus says this:

34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:34-36

Jesus set us free so who else but ourselves can condemn us?

This is one lesson out of many but living them out is another matter and I think it is the entire point of the gospel. It's not that this is news to all but it should be to many because it is often spoken of as the hardest job in the world.

But if all the teachings Jesus are lived there is an incredible joy in living life like that. If one feels burdened by it often the emphasis is off. The gospel is about lightening our burdens not adding to them.

There are simple joys like paying kindness forward not just paying it back.

My wife and I were broke and completely out of food so our close friends cleaned out their refrigerator and we had food for two months. We were moved so much by this but we couldn't pay them back at the time. 

A few months back my wife and I talked to some mutual friends and they were in the same situation with no money and no food so we bought them about a months worth of good with Easter candy as well.

There were humbled speechless and I told our friend and her husband not to worry about paying us back just to pay it forward when they get the chance.

It feels better to give like than than it does to recieve I would say.

I write about religion and it's good to discuss so there are better ideas from which to implement in living our lives.

Murder victims families sometimes forgive the murderer. Consentration camp survivors have forgiven their captors. Viktor Frankl was one who wrote a great book called "Mans Search For Meaning."

Sometimes living the gospel creates a social miracle that provides joy for all.

Theology and scholarly works are fine but living the teachings creates beauty and joy and can make the hellish world we sometimes find ourselves in more like heaven and thereby prepare us for our eternal estate.

The real gift of the gospel is in living it, for the one who lives it and those the meet.

Defending The Truth

Saint Augustine said "The truth is like a lion. You don't have to defend it. Let it loose and it will defend itself."
And I believe that to be true but when people attack what you believe to be true it is natural to go on the defensive. But if what you believe to be true it will defend itself on it's own merits.
When you attempt to defend what you believe to be true it helps to keep in mind that no one can change another persons mind. Conversion takes places in ones own mind no one can do that for another. 
The merits of any case are decided on the evidence for and against. Each person makes up their own mind themselves. 
One helpful tactic I learned is to present as many facts of the case so that if one is to argue they must contend with the facts rather than opinions of you or anyone else.
Let the facts decide the case.
After Christ died with only 12 Apostles to carry on His work Christianity spread like wildfire and quickly became a threat to Roman rule because Christians were pacifists and spread that philosophy throughout Rome and because they ministered to the outcasts of Roman society and elevated the status of those outcasts and Romans refered to Christianity as the slaves religion because of that.
But the truth spread throughout the Roman world with all the ferocity of a hungry lion. Despite Christians being hunted and killed by the Roman Empire.
When our beliefs are attacked it's natural to get defensive but stating the facts and letting the truth defend itself is better than getting worked up defending something others refuse to believe regardless of what is said or what facts are presented.
Letting the truth defend itself is better than the frustration of trying to defend it or explain it to those who refuse to hear it.
The truth also shines the light into the darkness and unveils the lies that abound in any society. And people will often kill for what they believe to be true even if it is really a lie. This is why every one of Jesus' Apostles were martyrs.
Being a disciple or sons and daughters of light is about more than just knowing what is true but it is in knowing why it is true.
For example most understand what sin is and believe those who sin will be punished but that is a half truth to me because I believe you will be punished by your sins rather than for your sins.
I believe the horrible consequences of sin to be the reason they are considered to be sins in the first place.
If that sound off to you then test it out and pray about it as we should to considering all things regardless of who says them.

Honoring God

You can honor God not merely by praying to Him but by being a good steward of His creation, the earth. You can honor God by honoring and loving all His children as Christ loved us. 
How can we honor God if we disregard His creation through pollution or landfills or even by the Great Pacific Garbage Patch which is basically an island of trash.
How can we honor God if we mistreat His children? If we love one another as Christ loved us that is one way of feeling His presence.

Another way we can feel the presence of The Lord by tuning out all media and tuning in to the wildlife around you. By feeling the grass or sand beneath your feet and between your toes.
Another way to honor God is to follow the prompting a His spirit sends us. Following the prompting a to call or drop by on a friend or family member is one example. 
Think about all the ways Christ honored God's children and thereby honored God. He healed all those who needed it. He taught and shared His wisdom with those who were willing to learn. He loved all God's children, He showed that love to all He met. And He taught us to do the same.
I like it best when those who claim to love God show it in how they love His children. I understand better when people show they care about the Earth as much as they say they care about who made it.

Matt Walsh And Robin Williams

Matt Walsh thinks that suicide is "The complete, total, absolute rejection of life. The final refusal to see the worth in anything, or the beauty, or the reason, or the point, or the hope"

In that statement, amongst many, Matt Walsh displays his nearly infinite ignorance of clinical depression. He, though, says he has battled it himself but then turns around to show he has no understanding of what he purports to "teach" others about.

I have dealt with severe depression and am only alive now because I was unsuccessful in my own suicide attempt.  I was serious in my attempt, I very nearly died.  And thought things got better for me with treatment and medications I have still had recurring bouts of severe depression.  I understand from personal experience that when severe depression hits, when you find yourself in the grips of it, that suicide isn't one option of many, it seems like the only option.

I will tell you about my attempt to hopefully shed light on Robin Williams suicide and that of others as well.

In October of 2002 I was stationed at Schofield Barracks. I had never dealt with severe depression before, though I had been sad so that's totally the same thing like having a slight headache is the same things as a migraine or that not liking spiders is the same thing as a clinical phobia right?

When this hit at first it was about my poor performance in the Army, then it became about my impending break up with a woman I had dated for maybe a month.  I started drinking heavily one night.  Broke up with my girlfriend and was slowly spinning out of control.  By the end of a night of heavy drinking I was being eaten alive by my insecurities.  I was having flashbacks of every single thing hurtful that every happened to me.

Then came the guilt of every single thing I had ever done wrong.  One scene after another played in my minds eye and I was distraught and grieving at the train wreck that was my life, it wasn't just bad at the time, it seemed that it had always been awful.  It felt like my failures, my sins and even my inaction's were beyond sympathy or empathy, I felt like I was beyond all hope or help and that the only thing I could do to escape futher failures, further pain was to end my life.

And there were people in my life I should have turned to but based on the reactions I received after my attempt I am certain they had nothing of value for me because I encountered many, many people who thought along the same lines as Matt Walsh and Rush Limbaugh, people who had never dealt with what I had dispensing "wisdom" about how to deal with depression, it was like taking sex therapy advice from a virgin.

But it was because of that attitude that I just sucked it up and didn't let on that I was severely depressed.  No one knew how I really felt because I never talked about it because I knew no one I knew would understand.  And for years no one I knew did until I met my current wife.  She helped me as much as doctors had.

There are things you can do if you fall into a bout of severe depression, you can get help by going to rehab (because if you have an addiction and are depressed you may relapse) Robin Williams was in treatment in July of this year so he was trying to fight it.  I am always in treatment but I have to stay on top of it and have blood tests done for the medications I'm on.

But just as I fought severe depression for weeks one night it just over powered me and my pain exceeded my ability to cope and I lost the fight.  But I survived for reasons unknown.

After I took 7 bottles of sleeping pills and washed it down with a 5th of spiced rum I blacked out.  The next thing I remember was sitting in a very small but cozy room with lots of pillows and blankets. I remember, for the first time in a long time, feeling completely content and truly happy.  I was talking with a man and I did more listening than talking.

I was being told he was my guide on the other side which was heavy because at the time I was an atheist.  I was told I had so much to do in this life that now would go to others but that these things were made for me to do.  I was told that I had no cause for concern, I was home now and I was loved. I was told not to worry about the life I left behind, my worries were over.  But this man did say it was a shame that I ended my life because there are experiences that can only be had in this life and it was a shame I would lose out on those experiences.  But I was told it was all alright.
I was also judged favorably by this man who said I didn't live a good life but I was a good person. As I wondered how that is possible I was told "you have made bad choices but you have a good heart."

As this man was telling me about all these wonderful things I was supposed to do, all these wonderful things I was supposed to experience, I felt regretful.  I have never felt more regret in my life than I did at that moment and then I remember thinking I would do anything just to have one more chance at life.  And the next thing I remember I woke up in the hospital in the ICU.

I was told by my doctors to expect brain damage from everything I took but I never was found to have any lasting damage from that night.  I was lucky because I got my 2nd chance.  Robin Williams and countless others may not have had that option.

Robin Williams and others may have tried to talk, but like me maybe they felt no one truly understood and refused to tell even those closest to them.  It is a shame that a man who brought such joy and happiness to others could not do so for himself.  But that's part of severe depression, nothing is funny or happy and it truly feels like it will last forever.  It makes one night feel like forever and at the end of it they lost their battle with severe depression the same as a terminally ill patient might lose their battle with the disease.

It is a shame that so many people lose their battle with severe depression.  It can be prevented but after a life time of dealing with this kind of battle many simply give in.  

For me it wasn't just a matter of battling only depression, it was the beginning manifestation of schizo-affective disorder.  Severe depression is often times a symptom of a more serious mental illness not that it is not a mental illness all on its own. And suicide is often a symptom of depression. I hope my experiences shed light on what it's like to attempt suicide either successfully or not.
 

Self-Care And Depression

 According to an article on NAMI's website "Major depression is a mood state that goes well beyond temporarily feeling sad or blue. It is a serious medical illness that affects one’s thoughts, feelings, behavior, mood and physical health. Depression is a life-long condition in which periods of wellness alternate with recurrences of illness." NAMI is a mental health organization and they sponsor events and treatment for those who suffer with mental illnesses like major depression.

5-8 percent of Americans or roughly 25 million Americans will suffer from major depression this year alone and are also more likely to have recurrent episodes of major depression throughout their lives.

Many, even in the medical community, insist that depression is not a disease.  But if something is wrong with a patient's heart we understand that is caused by a disease.  If something is wrong with a patient's kidney, we understand that is a disease but if something is wrong with the brain somehow it's more comfortable to differentiate and say that's a mental illness rather than a disease.  It's also more comforting to blame the patient rather than understand that their situation is largely out of their control.  They too suffer from a medical disease and should feel no more shame in that than if they had heart disease or diabetes.

As someone who has suffered from major depression and am lucky to be alive after an unsuccessful suicide attempt I can relate to the hellish place a person must be in to consider suicide a good idea.  Understanding the nature of the problem is crucial in managing its impact in your life.

We have recently seen celebrity deaths due to addiction and/or depression/suicide.  Phillip Seymour Hoffman and yesterday Robin Williams committed suicide.

Robin Williams battled alcoholism and major depression and there is a downward cycle of depression contributing to alcoholism which in turn contributes to depression.  It is a nasty cycle and can be deadly as it was for Robin Williams recently.
Robin Williams did not die from suicide, his death was the result of depression. Suicide is merely one symptom of major depression. Suicide is how one pulls the trigger but depression is what pushes you to that point.
I make the distinction that depression is the disease that killed Robin Williams and suicide is merely the symptom of depression for the same reason that if I say a friend of mine died of cancer  I don't say they died of a pulmanary embolism. Pulmanary embolism was the symptom but cancer is the disease that took them. Depression is the disease that took Robin Williams.

Robin Williams by most accounts was a wonderful and amazing human being, as amazing a person as he was a performer and I understand that loss but understanding his loss of well being doesn't excuse his behavior but it does make clear that his choice was based on a gut wrenching depression that only means his pain exceeded his ability to cope, not that he was weak or took the cowards way out.  Ernest Hemingway was a man's man yet he suffered and was taken by depression and alcoholism as well, he was no coward either.

Sharing stories that demonstrate a person's character is a great way to remember them I think so I'll share this story about Robin Williams:

Robin Williams used his gift for humor to lighten the burdens of total strangers simply because he knew he could make a difference.  That is truly wonderful, and yet he could not rescue himself from the depths of a sinister depressive episode that was such that death seemed like a win.  Death was preferable to continued torment at the hands of his personal demons.

The saddest part, to me, is that 25 million people just in our country alone go through this every year and they may not make headlines with their battles but they play key roles in our own lives and the example of Robin Williams or any public figure going back to Ernest Hemingway or maybe more notoriously Edgar Alan Poe, and you will find key similarities to the stories of every day people.

For the most part these things are preventable but from personal experience I can say sometimes these things are bound to happen.

There are ways we can care for ourselves. Prayer and meditation done daily help me, so does writing regularly and researching things. Regular psychiatry visits are essential and medication management.

Here's a talk from Elder Holland and I appreciate so much this take from the GC pulpit.