Life with its precious moments and unspeakable tragedies sometimes overwhelms us in our quest for happiness. Life seems to ask an incessant question about why are we here. But life seems to insist there is an even more poignant question, Why are we? Why do we exist? Is there a reason for my be-ing? Most people find an inner seemingly magnetic pull towards a love-force larger than life itself. People whose lives are impacted by religion call this magnetizing love, God. Whatever love we experience as humans hints at ultimate fulfillment, an ultimate answer for life. Therefore, when life shatters us, we ask, “Why?”
Two Religions; Two Views
So we turn to our faith system, our religion, that has provided us with answers or has given us strength to endure. When the Black Plague ravaged the earth two religions offered different views. Highlights I am sharing in this post come from an article by Joshua L. Mark. Click here for his full article.
In Europe the Christian view saw the plague as a punishment for sin but could also be caused by “bad air,” witchcraft and sorcery and by individual life choices including one’s piety or lack thereof. Christians also believed especially at the beginning stages of the outbreak that they could leave a plague-stricken region for a non-infected area. Religious belief also supported the observable fact that the plague was contagious but one could protect oneself through prayer, penitence, charms and amulets.
In the East the Muslim view also included three beliefs. The plague was a gift from a merciful God so that through martyrdom the souls of the faithful were instantly transported to paradise. Muslims should remain where they were, neither entering nor fleeing from plague-stricken regions. And they believed the plague was not contagious but came to specific persons directly from God according to God’s will.
Five Religious Results
Although these were general views both in the West and East they were strong enough to encourage five main reactions. The Christians responded with penitential processions, attending Mass, fasting, prayer and the use of amulets and charms. The Flagellant Movement arose. Supposed cures were offered and the fumigation of “bad air.” People fled from infected areas. Marginalized communities, especially the Jews, were persecuted.
The Muslim response included prayer and supplication at mosques, processions, mass funerals, orations, and fasting. Belief increased in supernatural visions, signs, and wonders. Magic, amulets and charms were used as cures. People fled from infected regions. In addition to no persecution of marginalized peoples they respected Jewish physicians.
In summary the Christian belief was that God had caused the plague. Therefore, there was nothing to do but humbly return to God. Yet to many of the faithful of that time It seemed that God had been deaf to their needs. This led them to question the authority of the Church, eventually contributing to the Protestant reformation. In the Near East no such dramatic change occurred and Islam continued on after the plague with little difference in understanding or practice.
The Impact of Religion Today
History leads us to wonder what change we might experience in religious practice following the present-day pandemic. Most religious leaders today remind us that God is living with us during this time Though there have been some suggesting that the corona virus is God’s punishment, others insist it is part of God’s plan. Both ideas proclaim a religion that preaches a lesser God than adult believers deserve.
A good parent only hopes for the best for a child, and supports that child through the mistakes leading to growth. Yes, we have erred. We are sinners but our parent God hopes that we come to know mercy and God’s desire for our growth.
Messages of togetherness, oneness, and caring are being sent from all directions; even car companies are telling us about their concern for our needs. Can we also hear God speaking these words to us? “I am with you. “We will get through this. “You are not alone.”
Churches, mosques and synagogues are closed. But God has not been silenced. Schools are not open. School shootings have stopped. How can we learn to live non-violently after schools reopen? With so many fewer cars on the roads, air pollution gives way to blue skies and fresh air. What can we learn about caring for our beautiful blue marble?
God is the same loving, caring, Emmanuel, God-with-us as before. What impact will the corona virus pandemic have on the God we want to know? The “God’s plan” response and the “punishment response” suggests a Santa-God. The Santa-God image is based on reward-punishment. If we are good Santa’s plan includes rewards. God is so much better, and so much bigger. What about you? Santa-God or adult faith? Click here for Searching for a Better God
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