The Truth Shall Make You Free

Easter for Skeptics

Nowhere is it more likely to find different "truths" than in discussions of religion and spirituality. Many times, there is no basis for intelligent discussion because the parties have presuppositions that vary so widely. Truth claims are frequently at odds even within the same religion.

In the Christian religion, the easiest example is how scripture is used. Let's say you believe the Bible is dictated by God, and every passage is literally true, whereas I believe that scripture can be read as teaching stories which are subject to interpretation. We are not going to have a common basis from which to discuss many things.

I felt like I "lived on the razor's edge of disbelief."

I sympathize with you if you are part of a more conservative church, or grew up in one, yet have doubts about some widely accepted beliefs. I grew up in a conservative church, but over time found more and more instances when what I was taught seemed too restrictive, if not downright wrong. I remember very clearly being in a theology class in college and saying that I felt like I "lived on the razor's edge of disbelief."

Later in life I became ever more aware that I had adopted a new set of truths. I've mentioned many times that being a heretic is, by definition, deciding for yourself what you believe is true. This truth you decide to accept is not cut and dried like many truths. Some truths hold sway in your life whether you accept them or not. If I decide to jump off the roof of a 100 story building, the truth is, I will fall and will not survive the impact. No matter what I believe, that is true.

But what about spiritual or scriptural "truths?" Here is where we find people declaring that their truth is the only truth. Just like falling from a building, they would have you believe that what they espouse is true, whether you believe it or not.

But don't I do that too?

I'm saying the same thing, it's just that my tone is softened by the liberal phrase, "Of course, it's fine for you to believe that if you want to..." But there are times when two things cannot be true at once. If one is true, then the other is false, even if the above phrase makes it sound less oppressive.

So, as Easter looms, what truth am I talking about that sets you free? In general, it's the truth that you don't have to believe what you were taught, or what goes by "truth" in any tribe. Specifically, you don't have to believe there is a god who has prepared an eternity of torture for you if you don't believe in him (I typed "him" on purpose, because it's always a "him" that is talked about that way).

As a matter of fact (truth), you don't have to believe in any god at all. It's not a requirement. The freedom gained by adopting this truth is that you are free of requirements. Digest this a little, if you haven't before: When it comes to spirituality, THERE ARE NO REQUIREMENTS. What a breath of fresh air!

On Easter Sunday, you are free from the requirement to believe that Jesus literally rose from the dead. You are free from the requirement to believe that there was a separation between you and God (if you choose to believe in one) that Jesus bridged by his death. You don't have to believe that a blood sacrifice was required by God to appease "justice." Take some deep breaths of THAT freedom.

However, Easter can have meaning. You are free to believe (or not) that a cosmic process is at work, just like every other day. On Easter, you and I can choose to emphasize that life and death are a cycle, and mystically speaking, hope survives the dark winter to sprout green in the spring.

I believe this is the truth. The truth shall make us free.

Here are some lyrics I wrote that my choir is singing this Easter. I hope you can find them meaningful.

Easter Morn

Listen well to these words, be they ages old,

how life conquers death, though its grip be cold,

Love boldly uncovers the fiercest lie:

That fear will win, that hope will die.

Nature waits neath the earth during winter's chill

for the season of birth, when we see fulfilled

the promise so long held deep within.

Life sheds its brown for green again.

We, too, are redeemed by the sacred wheel

that brings us round, our souls to heal,

our dormant lives at last transformed

by Love and Grace on Easter morn.