A Soulful Journey

In Japan, at an international conference on religion, Joseph Campbell heard one American say to a Shinto priest, "We've been now to a good many ceremonies and have seen quite a few shrines.  But I don't get your ideology.  I don't get your theology." The Japanese paused as though in deep thought and then slowly shook his head. "We don't have theology.  We dance."  - The Power of Myth Real religion is a feeling in your bones, your limbs, the ebullience and needful expressions of hope and despair that transcends mere thought and reflection.

A Christian clergyman wrote a book called “The Systematic Theology of the Synagogue.”  A rabbi removed it and he began, “First, there is no such thing as the Synagogue.  Second, if there were, it wouldn’t have a theology.  And third, if it did, it wouldn’t be systematic.”   -Bernard Lewis

There is a story told of an argument between a philosopher and a theologian.  The theologian says it is like putting a black cat in a dark room and trying to find it.  The philosopher replies, "Yes, but it would find you."   -Louis Jacobs In the final analysis you know the truth.

“Without theology “there is no meaning in life that transcends pure self-preservation;” without God “the longing for perfect justice must remain unfulfilled, and in the end the murderer must triumph over his innocent victim;” with Him our “need for consolation” remains unsatisfied- for time and eternity.”   -Hans Kung

“There are times when, as C.S. Lewis said, we do not so much want a Father in Heaven, but a Grandfather in Heaven, a senile deity who can only say at the end of the day: “A good time was had by one and all.”  -Louis Jacobs It has been said that we twist the Biblical phrase from Genesis to read, “And man made God in his image.”   This is not what our tradition teaches.  We are supposed to ask, "God, what do You want from me?"

Instead of seeking to emulate the Divine, we seek to mold Him to our designs and specifications.  –unknown Let's remember God made us in His image not vice versa.

“Not only is there no God, but try getting a plumber of weekends.” – Woody Allen This is a predominant theme in modern theology: What you cannot see is not there (except when it comes to theoretical science like quarks ).   What does this say about us?

“Israel is called God’s firstborn.   We call Him our Parent for we recognized Him first.”   -Louis Jacobs

To be religious is to seek God with all one's being; to be blessed is to find him; to be theological is to make the search and its object evident in discourse.   -Paul Weiss There are many pathways to God.  Each of us has our own way.  Which is your path?

There is a wonderful story, perhaps apocryphal, about an astrophysicist and a rabbi who are seated next to one another on a flight to Los Angeles. The rabbi was looking forward to just relaxing on the flight and did not encourage any conversation  but that is not how it worked out. When the flight attendant delivered the rabbi’s kosher meal, the scientist took the opportunity to pepper the rabbi with questions. After a few minutes of introduction, the man said, “Rabbi, I really know very little about religion or theology, but doesn’t it all boil down to the Golden rule of ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you?’” Without missing a beat the rabbi responded. “You know, I’ve never studied astrophysics or astronomy, but doesn’t it all boil down to, ‘Twinkle, twinkle little star?’”   -Rabbi Richard Plavin