Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Harold's ultimate destination
Many faithful churchgoers find this to be distasteful-- a sort of side-stepping of the doctrines, creeds, and practices that under-gird scripture and proclaim Christ to the world.
For others, however, this notion rings a bell. There are many ways for the purity of God's love to be overshadowed by rigidity, intolerance, and all the other human foibles that remind us that the Church is, if nothing else, a human institution.
Perhaps some who step away from organized religion have been wounded by it. To hold on to spirituality at all might be seen as a brave thing-- a way to reconcile a yearning for that love that binds us all. The hope, of course, is that the Church constantly strive to be a place where best intentions and the Holy Spirit meet up and shine forth as a beacon for the wary. Sharing and uplifting the mission of such communities is worthy work indeed.
How would you describe Harold's brand of belief? Are there parallels between the ups and downs he experiences on his walk and the ups and downs we experience in our own faith journeys? Are you spiritual, religious, or somewhere in between?
6 comments:
Harold seems to me to be so innocent, humble, contrite, self-effacing, and agnostic in the way a child is agnostic - not as a statement but as one who simply doesn't know what to think or believe and who can't help but be honest about that. I find this humility and innocence so much more attractive than the usual stuff adults espouse.
It is refreshing that Harold is so forthcoming about his doubt, isn't it? Even the most faithful experience times of uncertainty, and Harold has lots of faith, even if it's not focused with clarity on God. Good point about the purity of his agnosticism; in the Gospels we are called to be child-like in our discipleship, and humility and innocence play (or should play) a big role for committed believers as well. We have something to learn from Harold, it seems to me.
Now that I have read the book once and have begun a second "read" by listening to it (Audible.com's rendering), I don't find his agnosticism so much a sign of innocence as an escape from the horror of his experience. I don't mean to be hard on him, so much as to acknowledge that his life experience understandably pushed him away from any type of belief.
Gussie, so for you his agnosticism is more a function of the immense difficulties he faces. That's an equally valid reading, and it certainly parallels the experience of many who have found God to be invisible and remote, especially in times of overwhelming grief.
Good discussion here!
Yes, I think that is what I am saying, and I love his apologizing for not believing. That feels so real to me, regretting that I just can't make that leap of faith yet. And then I am heartening that even if I can't make that leap, God seems to reach out and grab me, no matter how terrified or mystified or unbelieving I am. No matter how mad I get, God won't let go. Astounding. And full of grace that is.
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