One of the key differences between philosophical Taoism and the Abrahamic religions is where our focus should be. For the latter, our focus is external. All glory goes to a god, the almighty creator and giver of life. For the former, our focus should be internal as we are but a manifestation of the Oneness, Tao.
I realize that many may look at this difference as simply being alternate ways of trying to describe the same indescribable phenomena and, in a theoretical sense, this argument may have some legs under it. However, as it applies to the lives we lead, the difference in focus points highlights some very stark differences and many of them are not positive in the least.
For example, if a person is successful economically and holds a belief in a god, too often they view their success as a reward from their supreme creator for their piety and devotion to the "faith". So, they work harder to amass an even greater fortune and, whatever means they utilize, are deemed worthy.
Many of these means are the antithesis of their so-called belief system, yet they and the society at large rarely bat an eyelash. Cunning and ruthlessness somehow become virtues. All is fair in love and war because of this notion that "good things" only come to those that are the most godly.
On the flip side, those persons who are economically poor and struggling are viewed by the successful (and often themselves too!) as being in their situation because they have not pleased the external entity. If the supreme being rewards those who are the most pious, then if you haven't received the same kind of reward, well, we all know what that points toward!
The poor of such a society are hit with a double-edged sword. First, they are looked down on by the successful. Second, they beat themselves up for falling short of the divine ideal. They loathe their inability to appease the almighty and accept their lot as of their own doing. Even worse, they spend so much of their energy in self-abasement that they allow the successful to take advantage of them at every turn.
In a nutshell, this aptly describes the current state of America. The wealthiest 5% continually beat down the other 95%. While the overall economy is in a free fall, the richest are raking in even more money. While average Americans are losing their jobs and their homes, the government (the protectors of the 5%) has opened up the public coffers and handed over billions upon billions of dollars to the well-heeled.
Taxpayers may grouse about the overall situation, but few seem interested in challenging it. Instead of addressing the inequality of the system, far too many people choose simply to dream of the day when they could part of the privileged 5%. Being in the top echelon means that your god is smiling down upon you.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
I realize that many may look at this difference as simply being alternate ways of trying to describe the same indescribable phenomena and, in a theoretical sense, this argument may have some legs under it. However, as it applies to the lives we lead, the difference in focus points highlights some very stark differences and many of them are not positive in the least.
For example, if a person is successful economically and holds a belief in a god, too often they view their success as a reward from their supreme creator for their piety and devotion to the "faith". So, they work harder to amass an even greater fortune and, whatever means they utilize, are deemed worthy.
Many of these means are the antithesis of their so-called belief system, yet they and the society at large rarely bat an eyelash. Cunning and ruthlessness somehow become virtues. All is fair in love and war because of this notion that "good things" only come to those that are the most godly.
On the flip side, those persons who are economically poor and struggling are viewed by the successful (and often themselves too!) as being in their situation because they have not pleased the external entity. If the supreme being rewards those who are the most pious, then if you haven't received the same kind of reward, well, we all know what that points toward!
The poor of such a society are hit with a double-edged sword. First, they are looked down on by the successful. Second, they beat themselves up for falling short of the divine ideal. They loathe their inability to appease the almighty and accept their lot as of their own doing. Even worse, they spend so much of their energy in self-abasement that they allow the successful to take advantage of them at every turn.
In a nutshell, this aptly describes the current state of America. The wealthiest 5% continually beat down the other 95%. While the overall economy is in a free fall, the richest are raking in even more money. While average Americans are losing their jobs and their homes, the government (the protectors of the 5%) has opened up the public coffers and handed over billions upon billions of dollars to the well-heeled.
Taxpayers may grouse about the overall situation, but few seem interested in challenging it. Instead of addressing the inequality of the system, far too many people choose simply to dream of the day when they could part of the privileged 5%. Being in the top echelon means that your god is smiling down upon you.
This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.
This is very true of the UK as well, the people are simply fobbed off and ignored while the rich get richer.
ReplyDeleteI was reminded of this when seeing the fury over the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty this week. The EU has forced the UK government to get it's act together in many areas (e.g. working time laws) and has also kept it honest (look up Phorm for an example), watching people raging against Lisbon is like watching Turkeys arguing for Christmas!
People seem unwilling to do something about it as we have simply grown used to this being the way it is and we have a lot invested in that, both mentally and financially. Of course, the current system is ultimately unsustainable, but that's a conversation for another time.