Leaving Alexandria, by Richard Holloway

 

Leaving Alexandria is the biography of Richard Holloway who was the controversial bishop of Edinburgh.

There was a lot I liked about Richard Holloway probably because I could identify with his story so much. About leaving a places, the disappointments of not fore-filling others and your own expectations. Of the doubts about Christianity and God.

A friend of my wrote on his blog RC theologian, Anthony Padovano:

“A Christian is someone who wants to give his [or her] life seriously for a noble objective. If he [or she] does not wish this, he [or she] is not a Christian. Every human life given generously for a lofty ideal is filled with regret as well as with joy. One of the most difficult things to accept in such a life is our failure to have done with our lives what we longed to accomplish. In a sense, this is the one cross we want least of all, the cross we never expected, the cross which is hardest to bear. Such a cross is all the more painful for those who, in the name of the cross, were once sure their lives would make a great difference”.

I couldn't help think that this fitted well with Holloway, and myself...

Most of the book is about stories of narratives of Holloway's past. I cannot help but read and hear at the same time a rich Scottich brough. I have an uncle who can make a fairly mundaine experience into an on the edge of your seat tale as he weaves words from his mouth. Holloway is a bit like this in his book. I Enjoyed his style.

Coming of age, and ones sexuality is a dominant theme, one complicated with religion. I was surprised by Holloway's honesty with his attraction to both male and female.

There were a number of time I felt the stories fell silent. Maybe to personal...

• The theme of his sexuality came to an abrupt end with his marriage to his wife. In some ways I couldnt help think that it interrupted the flow of the book. I'm sure that marriage dosn't end all sexual issues..
• I could not help wondering how his wife would have reacted to his confessions of homosexual love earlier in his life (Even if it was only thoughts).

I found the final chapters took away from the book. Even though I agreed with Holloway's position I found the religious politics, the power plays all a bit out of context of the book. Even though they are part of Holloway's story.

 

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God has no favourites, but maybe we can change the odds

I have often heard lamented by a relative of how the person who has the life threatening illness lived a good life. Be it through the absence of drugs, healthy lifestyle, the goodness be it within a family or community which they contributed. To be honest it disturbes me; I often feel the distress.

It is obvious that God does not have favourites. That there is a ramdomness of whom God takes before their time. He does not have favourites even those who regularly acknowledge and worship Him no matter how ferverent. I'm often reminded of Forest Gump's line "life is like a box of chocolates", there is a randomness in death; which at times I think we can change the odds.

It would appear that lifestyle can change the odds. Moderation with alcohol, eating healthily, positive relationships within and outside the family. I would also write a centeredness which is often found in Church or wherever people slow down and have time to contemplate. The thing though even with these positives in a persons life it dosn't guarente anything. It just lowers the odds.

There is a quote going around at the moment by a Sioux Indian Vine Deloria::

"Religion is for people who are afraid of going to Hell

Spirituality is for those who have already been there"

I like it; there is an idea for me that Heaven has already been touched, it has been experienced. That there is no more fear to be had through death. Its not about somthing unknown on the other side. It is somthing about life, beauty, joy.....

This I would think is the biggest way in which we can change the odds.

 

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David Cameron

An interesting article in 'The Age' regarding British Prime Minister David Cameron and his spin on Religion in his country. It was mainly about the a general 'moral decline' and how religon has a place in aresting this decline. It was in light of the recent riots in his country. Also of interest was his own personal admission:

Mr Cameron also disclosed details of his own faith following criticism from atheist Richard Dawkins that he was ''not really a Christian''. ''I am a committed, but I have to say, vaguely practising, Church of England Christian, who will stand up for the values and principles of my faith,'' Mr Cameron said. But he added he was ''full of doubts'' and ''constantly grappling'' with the big theological issues.

I find this an honest answer. One that most people can relate to. It does underline that what people took for granted 50-100 years ago with Christianity, an unwavering faith; is not the case anymore. The ideas of pluralism, deconstruction are mainstream thoughts. The Church needs overcome these hurdles.  Then the moral compass may return. 

Podcasts, Tickle, Spong and Mclaren

I just got back into listening to podcasts again. We are very much broadband limited so downloading is a bit of a bonus...

The first podcast that I've saved up, is from "The Nick and Josh podcast" interviewed was Phillyis Tickle, "Jack" Shelby Spong and Brian Mclaren.

There were a few interesting insights especially Spongs words and I paraphrase. "Religion is the seeking of truth", somthing in that ran true for me.

Its worth a listen. What surprised me was how McLaren was so quite, while Spong and Tickle where definitely the most engaging (I'm not sure this is a good thing...).