Due to potentially adverse weather condition, I was unable to deliver a prepared sermon at the First Unitarian Church in Philadelphia this Sunday, August 28, 2011 on why I believe Kindness is the Essence of Religion. Accordingly, I am posting it here for consideration and reflection.
We often refer to our religion as one that of a “Living Tradition” as you will note those words are even inscribed on your gray hymnal. That is to say ours is not a religion that is bound down in creed and or dogma but is one that changes in form as times and needs warrant. We are grateful for its religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, inspires us to deepen our understanding, expands our vision, and embraces free congregations that co-exist in an environment of mutual cooperation, trust and support.
Now I know that I have used the “R” or “Religion” word a couple of times and recognize that many non UUs do not consider our tradition to be a religion and even some UUs are even not comfortable with the term. I also recognize that for some UUs, the term religion conjures up a formalized spiritual dogmatic belief and worship system to which they cannot and will not subscribe. On the other hand I have heard non UUs often expressing the opinion that ours is not a religion – how can it be when “we allow our members to believe and do whatever they want.” Of course, this usually leads me into a five to ten minute response (sometimes to their dismay) that they are over-simplifying and misunderstanding of who and what we are all about.
I would like to suggest that we not discount and feel uneasy about the “R” word. First, it is necessary for recognition as a legitimate entity for embracing a specific code of ethics and a particular philosophy which we so covenant, affirm, and promote in our Seven Principles that draw on Six Sources. Second, let us acknowledge and feel comfortable about the original meaning of the word which was “to bind.” To be bound in community with each other in such traits as mutual respect, justice, equity, and compassion seeking peace, liberty, and justice for all, I find it not only to be proper and the right thing to do but ennobling even if I am guilty of the sin of Pride. Thirdly (interesting how often we make expression points in a Trinitarian versus Unitarian fashion), while adverse to labels I find it to be pleasing to be identified with a particular spiritual support and nourishment continuum that honors and respects my ethical consciousness and that of others in a non-judgmental fashion.
In seminary, we are taught that a sermon is to be composed of three parts (an Introduction, a Body which is to have a singular thrust, and a Conclusion). So now to finally move onward from the Introduction into the Body and it’s singular thrust to that one element of any religion that I consider to be the it’s very essence – “Kindness.” More commonly the terms “Compassion” or “Love” are put forth as the essence of Religion and while I subscribe and endorse to their intentionality – I personally find “Kindness” more precise in definition, and an attribute more easily understood and I would argue – even practiced. This mantra of mine, if you will, actually became a realization for me from a rather unorthodox source; as well as, more orthodox and theological sources.
First, the unorthodox source: some of you may remember a performer and social critic by the name of George Carlin who was very popular beginning in the 1970s through to his death in 2008. In 2004 he placed second on the Comedy Central list of the 100 greatest stand-up comedians of all time. Carlin was noted for his routines on language (Seven Dirty Words), politics and religion. Although raised as a Roman Catholic, Carlin was an atheist and frequently pointed out the flaws of organized religion.
His routine on Religion and the Ten Commandments that resonated with me went something like this.
Why was it - when it came to be that the Ten Commandments were compiled and offered up as the tenets of religion, the determination was made that there should be ten? Because ten sounds very official and important and if it was eleven, or nine no one would take it seriously. Ten is a psychologically satisfying number that we see everywhere – the ten most wanted, the ten best athletes, the ten best dressed, ten best restaurants, etc. So maybe having Ten Commandments was really a marketing decision. It seems to have been politically motivated and inflated to sell better. The list could be easily reduced down to a number that is more easily understood and logical. He offers up the following proposals:
The first three: 1) I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other Gods, 2) You will not take the name of your God in vain, 3) Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. This is rather controlling language and every religion contends that their God is the only true one, the one to be honored, and the means for keeping the Sabbath holy varies. Throw these out and we are down to seven.
In the interest of logic, we will now jump to the commandments: You shall not steal and you shall not bear false witness. In other words stealing and lying are prohibiting the same type of behavior – dishonesty. So two commandments are not really necessary and can be combined into one – “You shall not be dishonest.”
Suddenly, we are down to six. Now while combining, there are some others that can easily combined: You shall not commit adultery and you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. These two really speak to being unfaithful so if we combined them to state that you shall not be unfaithful, we are down to five. Now, I haven’t forgotten the Fourth Commandment: Honor your father and mother. This is another way to affirm respect and worth for your parents. But why should it be limited to just your own parents, how about the parents of others, shouldn’t it be extended to all fellow human beings. But when you think about it respect, faithfulness and honesty all speak to the same value system and could be combined into one commandment of a simpler language – “You should always be respectful, faithful and honest.” Now we are down to three commandments.
As for the commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods. This one is totally impracticable as it is in coveting goods that keeps the economy running and provides for jobs. So let us leave it out and we are down to two – the big one – “You should always be respectful, faithful and honest” – and one not yet mentioned yet - You shall not commit murder. Now when you think about it, sad to say but historically religion has never had a big problem with murder. More people have been murdered in the name of God than for any other reason.
So with all that in mind, Carlin sums up by advocating for just Two Commandments: 1) You shall always be honest, faithful and respectful; 2) You shall refrain from killing even in the name personal religion beliefs and perceived justice.
Herein, my advocacy response is for just one concise and easily remembered commandment: You shall practice Kindness. The practice of Kindness embraces behaving in a pleasing, agreeable, accepting, favorable, gracious, courteous, sympathetic, respectful, concerned and charitable manner. These are the essential ingredients found in honesty, faithfulness and are in direct conflict with murderous actions. Note my deliberate use of the word practice. To practice means to engage in frequently and intentionally so as to make something a habit or custom of behavior that may not always be innate or in which we are not readily proficient.
A more recent and reaffirming orthodox spiritual support of my advance of Kindness as an essence of religion came about during my attendance at the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly held just this past June in Charlotte, North Carolina where I had the honor to hear Karen Armstrong speak from her book “Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life” which I strongly recommend. Karen Armstrong, a former Roman Catholic nun, who has moved on to a more liberal faith interpretation is the author of numerous books on religious affairs and a multiple award winner for her efforts in publishing and structuring an online Charter for Compassion. She sees one of the chief tasks of our time is to build a global community in which all peoples can live together in mutual respect; yet traditional religions which should be making a major contribution is seen as part of the problem.
All faiths insist that compassion is the test of true spirituality and that it brings us into relationship with the transcendence that some call God but how many practice what they preach. Each has formulated its own version of the golden rule, “Do not treat others as you would not like them to treat you.”
Furthermore, they all insist that you cannot confine compassion to your own group; and that you must have concern for everyone, even those who you dislike. Yet it is hard to think of a time when the compassionate voice of religion has been so sorely needed. Our world is dangerously polarized. Suffering and want are no longer confined to distant, disadvantaged parts of the globe. More than ever it is imperative to apply the Golden Rule globally, ensuring that all peoples are treated as we wish to be treated.
She goes on to encourage promoting the principle of compassion that lies at the heart of all religions, ethical, and spiritual traditions, calling us to treat all others as we wish to be treated. Appropriately, the question is raised as to what is meant by “Compassion.” In English, the word is often confused with “pity’ and associated with uncritical, sentimental, charity. Actually the derivative of the word compassion means “to suffer, undergo, or experience.” So “compassion means to endure something with another person or to put ourselves in somebody else shoes. That is why compassion is aptly summed up in the Golden Rule. It asks us to look into our own hearts, discover what gives us pain, and then refuse to inflict that pain on anyone else. Compassion is something easily recognized and admired. It has resonated with human beings through history and when we encounter it we feel enhanced.
In our perilously divided world, compassion is in our best interest. Gandhi memorably said that we ourselves must be the change we wish to see in the world. But how do we start with the demands of compassion that seem so daunting and difficult to begin. Hence in her book she presents a twelve-step compassion continuing development program including such steps as to learning the meaning of compassion, how to develop empathy and mindfulness, and how to love your enemies to the assist us in that endeavor.
I, for one, am in complete agreement with Karen’s message of practicing and advancing the principle of compassion. But in my naïveté, I ask - isn’t this another virtuous attribute of “Kindness?” In her talk on compassion at GA and in her book she uses such positive terms as respect, charity, and concern; and not to succumb to expressions of hatred disgust, greed, and vengeance. Perhaps it is a manner of semantics and word-smithing, but I see “Compassion” as a feeling and the identifying with another as a noun and one more component of “Kindness”; whereas, I see “Kindness” more as a verb in the context of expressing, displaying, or performing an overt positive action.
Finally, in conclusion (by the way, we taught in seminary not to say “in conclusion” and then to ramble on for another 20 plus minutes and so I will try). You may recall that I mentioned that original meaning of the word religion was “to bind.” To be bound in community with each other in such traits as mutual respect, justice, equity, and compassion seeking peace, liberty, and justice for all. This morning I have attempted to convey why I believe that “Kindness” is really the essence. the heart and bonding agent of what I consider to be true religion.
Easily practiced? Sometimes, like holding a door open for an elderly person or expressing thanks or genuine concern for another. Sometimes not such as when we are cut off in traffic, or behind the sixteen package person in a ten package check-out line, or subjected to someone’s cell phone conversation (I need help with that one). Yet I still believe that every time we can extend an act of kindness, no matter how small, it is never wasted. Kindness Begets Kindness Evermore. May it be so. Amen
