The Great and Spacious Building

"Let go of what you know and honor what exists." 
--David Bazan

In the religion of my youth-middle age, there's a parable, story, or tale about a vision that involves a large building. In it are people that are mocking those that have chosen a particular path in life. In this case, it is laughing at those that chose to follow Jesus.

26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.

27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.

28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.

 I mention this because I found that these verses had exerted a good deal of control over my search for, if I can call it this, reality. I didn't want to feel shame over my beliefs or how I had chosen to live my life. But here's the rub. I learn by reading, asking questions and being convinced of particular stances. One of the greatest thing people can do is ask, "Why?" I had come to the point of asking "Why?", not only of those that were educating me on my chosen beliefs, but also to swim across that river of water and ask of those in the building, "Why?"

I think a lot can be learned by questioning your own beliefs. You can also ask those you know, love and respect in other things, why they hold different views about life, love, family, etc. I asked those that were knowledgeable in diverse things, "Why are you laughing at those over there, eating?". I asked that metaphorically, of course. They had their reasons. They also asked me to test things out. Their attitude wasn't of mocking. Most had been there and had struggled with the same things I did. Now, maybe their paths were different but they also were once believers. At some point, they just couldn't anymore. They wanted something that was real, concrete, consistent.

I just mention this because, while the imagery is good, the premise is flawed. There are some things that people believe that are ridiculous. Christians can ridicule Hindus. Muslims can ridicule Christians. Lutherans of the Right-side Synod ridicule Lutherans of the Left-side Synod. We all spend our time in the Great and Spacious Building. 

I want to honor, for the current time, that which is real. I want evidence and proof and something I can grasp with mind and body. For now, that is what my brain needs. I lived with faith for many decades. I just grew tired and needed firm ground beneath me. I have no need to mock. While from this perch, I might not fully understand what took me so long to get here, but I'm here now. No reason to point at others and laugh. I appreciate and respect most people on this planet, but beliefs are open for discussion.

It is a good thing to ask, "Why?"