I was recently asked by the editor of a new webmagazine based in India, Illuminatamag, for a response based on A Course in Miracles to Richard Dawkins brand of informed atheism. What I wrote follows: In its Manual for Teachers, A Course in Miracles lists ten characteristics of Gods teachers, which are Trust, Honesty, Tolerance, Gentleness, Joy, Defenselessness, Generosity, Patience, Faithfulness, and Open-Mindedness. I believe that ACIM lists these qualities for ACIM teachers because they are, altogether, what God actually IS in everyday life, not just in theory or theology. Its important to note that these are all qualities of relationship meant for us to activate and encourage with each other, not in worship of some all-powerful SuperDaddy who runs our mortal show. Its that kind of God the atheists are usually complaining about, and trying to dethrone. To the extent that we authenticate these ten virtues in our daily lives, we bring a real God into existence. Given the circumstances and predicaments we tend to create for ourselves, any one of these ideal characteristics can be a tall order sometimes, and the whole of them together may seem damn near impossible. But thats why they call it a spiritual discipline -- its continuous hard work that requires repeated forays into self-confrontation and forgiveness. If Richard Dawkins , famously the author of THE SELFISH GENE, doesnt believe that we can or should endeavor to treat each other with trust, honesty, tolerance, gentleness, joy, defenselessness, generosity, patience, faithfulness, and open-mindedness, then God help him (and God will).
Posted on: Tue, 05 Nov 2013 13:54:35 +0000
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