Karen Armstrong on BookTV
Karen Armstrong was on C-SPAN's "BookTV" program a couple weeks ago; I missed the broadcast, but watched online this past weekend. Highly suggested viewing.
Her new book, "The Great Transformation", is about the beginnings of four major thought-traditions: Jewish/Christian monotheism, Greek rationalism, Buddhism + Hinduism, and Confucianism + Taoism. Across the world from 700-200 BCE, these traditions took shape simultaneously in a time called the "Axial age." The talk was a well-presented overview of her main lines of thought, and I made notes of especially big ideas or effective crystallizations of them, shared here.
The Axial age was a time of a "great transformation of consciousness" in diverse areas; the religions that grew out of the Axial age are flowerings of the seeds planted at that time, in-line with Axial insights. There has been nothing comparable in scope until the age of Enlightenment (currently in process).
The Axial sages (Jesus, Buddha, Confucius, Greek philosophers) were not concerned with beliefs, metaphysics, or religiosity*. They were into DOING THINGS that CHANGE A PERSON profoundly; disciplines, practices, and socially constructive work of all kinds**. It was a time when the idea of individualism was beginning to take hold, and the sages agreed that the Transcendent was found at the opposite pole from ego. Self-emptying*** was understood to be the way towards God. Compassion - not confession.
Compassion not just for your own family, or tribe, or other group - compassion that extends to include everyone (we might amend; everything). And how was compassion understood? As practical help, not emotion. A compassionate person supports and aids others, looking out for others, especially when such care cannot be returned. Such compassion, as the Axial sages understood it, we need as much as ever right now; it's in our own individual and communal interest to look out for and take care of everyone. (Obvious examples: global warming, the US health care system).
At this point, Armstrong asked rhetorically "So what went wrong?" She sees that modern society does not fully embody Axial insights. Certainly, we're not perfect. But assuming you're familiar with many of the problems and suffering of the past 2300 years, I'll ask "So what's gone right?" Dear Reader, you are much much much less likely to die of violence, starvation, disease, or exposure than an average Axial age person was! You are educated beyond the sages' wildest dreams. You consider things that were commonly held at the time (racisism, feudalism, patriarchy, and a host of other injustices) morally reprehensible. Many of you embrace such circle-widening ideas as diversity and feminism!
I submit to you that the insights and wisdom of the Axial sages has been a powerful force in our history for peace, justice, and the changes we've made and are making in order to create more of both. It's hard work! - the Axials (remember; Jesus!) were not calling for a once-a-week uplift. They were calling us to transform our lives and our societies. We've moved in fits and starts, struggling to find our way... but you can't tell me we're not moving. As Armstrong says, we don't need new sages; it's all there.
All we need is to rediscover daily the heart of compassion at the core of the Axial traditions. -h
* Armstrong persuasively argues in "The Battle for God" that the current obsession with "beliefs," i.e. "Jesus died for my sins," is a recent development that dates to the 18th century and is not particularly traditional or Scriptural at all.
** Not associated with "salvation" or earning grace.
*** Yes, you must be a relatively healthy "self" before effectively practicing self-emptying.
Her new book, "The Great Transformation", is about the beginnings of four major thought-traditions: Jewish/Christian monotheism, Greek rationalism, Buddhism + Hinduism, and Confucianism + Taoism. Across the world from 700-200 BCE, these traditions took shape simultaneously in a time called the "Axial age." The talk was a well-presented overview of her main lines of thought, and I made notes of especially big ideas or effective crystallizations of them, shared here.
The Axial age was a time of a "great transformation of consciousness" in diverse areas; the religions that grew out of the Axial age are flowerings of the seeds planted at that time, in-line with Axial insights. There has been nothing comparable in scope until the age of Enlightenment (currently in process).
The Axial sages (Jesus, Buddha, Confucius, Greek philosophers) were not concerned with beliefs, metaphysics, or religiosity*. They were into DOING THINGS that CHANGE A PERSON profoundly; disciplines, practices, and socially constructive work of all kinds**. It was a time when the idea of individualism was beginning to take hold, and the sages agreed that the Transcendent was found at the opposite pole from ego. Self-emptying*** was understood to be the way towards God. Compassion - not confession.
Compassion not just for your own family, or tribe, or other group - compassion that extends to include everyone (we might amend; everything). And how was compassion understood? As practical help, not emotion. A compassionate person supports and aids others, looking out for others, especially when such care cannot be returned. Such compassion, as the Axial sages understood it, we need as much as ever right now; it's in our own individual and communal interest to look out for and take care of everyone. (Obvious examples: global warming, the US health care system).
At this point, Armstrong asked rhetorically "So what went wrong?" She sees that modern society does not fully embody Axial insights. Certainly, we're not perfect. But assuming you're familiar with many of the problems and suffering of the past 2300 years, I'll ask "So what's gone right?" Dear Reader, you are much much much less likely to die of violence, starvation, disease, or exposure than an average Axial age person was! You are educated beyond the sages' wildest dreams. You consider things that were commonly held at the time (racisism, feudalism, patriarchy, and a host of other injustices) morally reprehensible. Many of you embrace such circle-widening ideas as diversity and feminism!
I submit to you that the insights and wisdom of the Axial sages has been a powerful force in our history for peace, justice, and the changes we've made and are making in order to create more of both. It's hard work! - the Axials (remember; Jesus!) were not calling for a once-a-week uplift. They were calling us to transform our lives and our societies. We've moved in fits and starts, struggling to find our way... but you can't tell me we're not moving. As Armstrong says, we don't need new sages; it's all there.
All we need is to rediscover daily the heart of compassion at the core of the Axial traditions. -h
* Armstrong persuasively argues in "The Battle for God" that the current obsession with "beliefs," i.e. "Jesus died for my sins," is a recent development that dates to the 18th century and is not particularly traditional or Scriptural at all.
** Not associated with "salvation" or earning grace.
*** Yes, you must be a relatively healthy "self" before effectively practicing self-emptying.
Karen Armstrong on BookTV posted by St. Peter's UCC at Tuesday, May 02, 2006
3 Comments:
I have been looking for a Rev. Dale Parson, Independence, Missouri. The one that went to the City Council Meeting in Independence, Missouri and went on record to say -- abstinence only cirriculum does not reflect reality
so more than abstinence should be taught in public schools so children have info they need to make sexually responsible choices. Please...pass on the fact that stealing, drugs, drinking, etc. all will be happenings with our children...This is not a good reason to teach them how to do it responsibly. If one truly believes the Bible. There is not gray area around right or wrong. Only gray area is in how easy or difficult it is to do the right thing. Times may change, however, now as always...everyone doing something still does not make it right and is still not a good reason to promote it.
I believe this man in affiliated with UCC in this area. Please, explain to me how a man of God can take this stand.
Anonymous - Thanks for leaving your comment in a spirit of continued dialogue, which allows for a response. I cannot speak for Dale Parsons or the United Church of Christ, but only for myself.
There was a great article in yesterday's New York Times Sunday magazine (requires free registration) about the fresh discussion we're having about abortion and contraception. Technology and advances in medicine make the lines seem fuzzier than ever.
Again, speaking for myself only, I struggle to apply scripture and tradition to issues that the biblical authors and our ancestors did not have to face!
I understand sex to be a fundamentally good thing; a gift from God (not like "stealing," which is a crime). So for me, the question is how we will use this gift in a way that shows love, respect, and care for all. I don't have a final answer, but below are my observations and thoughts.
Abstinence-only programs have no track record of success for curbing early sexual activity, pregnancy, or abortion. From the NY Times article; "'There is still not a single, sound peer-reviewed study that shows abstinence programs work," says William Smith of Siecus.'" On the other hand, comprehensive education programs (such as in the Netherlands - again, see the Times article - how fortuitous!) are quite effective at reducing STD transmission, teenage pregnancies, and abortion rates. This makes me think that the most loving, caring thing to do is to support comprehensive sex-ed and condom use.
As we strive to discern and walk the path of Jesus in today's world, meaningful conversation is our best tool in our work together. Thanks for starting this one -
-Howie Howard, Ministry Associate, St. Peter's UCC, Kansas City, MO
(The following is a combination of my own thoughts and stats from plannedparenthood.org.)
No amount of sex education will prevent young people from engaging in premarital sex. Students who are taught a comprehensive curriculum and those who are taught an abstinence-only curriculum start having sex at about the same time. However, when they do become sexually active the students who participated in abstinence-only programs were much less likely to use condoms or other contraceptives. 88% of students who pledged virginity in middle or high school engage in premarital sex. The students who recieved a more comprehensive sex education do not have sex earlier or more often, but do use contraception and practice safer sex more consistantly.
The United States has the highest rate of teen pregnancy in the developed world, and teenagers are contracting HIV faster than any other American demographic. Our pregnancy rate is at least twice that of Canada, England, France, and Sweden and at least TEN TIMES that of the Netherlands!
California is the only state to reject federal abstinence-only money, instead adopting a program similar to the countries listed above. As of 2004 their teen pregnancy rate had dropped by forty percent. These programs work!
The thing is, the world changes every day. What was valid yesterday could be totally baseless today. It seems pretty strange to me to assume that God wouldn't change as the world does. Sex is different today, but I think that God is too, and I believe that God wants nothing but happiness and safety for us. A more comprehensive sex education provides that.
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