01.14.08
The Submitted versus the Unsubmitted by Margaret Johnston, blog author
Lets assume I am going to change my terminology from Stages One through Four to the terms the Lawless (for Stage Ones) the Faithful (for Stage Twos) the Rational (for Stage Threes) and the Mystics (for Stage Four.)
That allows us to examine the problem from a different angle. A major distinction we really need is that of submission. Yes, submission!
The problem with the Lawless (Stage Ones) is that they are unsubmitted – to anything! Except for their own will and their own purposes.
All the other stages ARE submitted – to something.
The (Stage Two) Faithful are submitted to their view of a mythic God and the rules of their organized religion. Stage Threes (Rational) are submitted to some concept of good such as truth, reason, integrity or achievement. The Stage Fours (Mystic) are submitted to unity and to the mystery of existence.
The problem with Stage Twos (the Faithful) is that they assume everyone else is UNsubmitted! Or at least they have self-perpetuating and self-serving preachers telling them everyone else is unsubmitted. This means they are assuming everyone else not of their faith is a member of the Lawless (Stage One, unsubmitted to anything but their own will.) No wonder members of this stage are so intent on convertng others! Seen from their point of view, it is imperative to save others from their lawless plight!
This group we are now calling the Faithful assumes they are the only ones who have the right answer; the only ones who are properly submitted; the only ones who can be saved (if need be.)
What the Faithful have no idea about is that the other two groups are also submitted – in very good ways to very good things. This submission makes them better people. People good enough that any god up there with any goodness to him at all would not condemn for their efforts.
The ones we are calling the Rational are for the most part submitted to ideals like truth (especially truth!!) reason, beauty or achievement. In many cases, they are submitted to their fellow human beings and to their own personal integrity…….
……..stretch this idea just a little further…and you have the Rational group….. being submitted to…..God. How so? Well, I think a large part of the next group up, the Mystics, see God as being a part of all creation, all people, all animals, all of nature, etc.
While the Rational group would never see it this way, being submitted to enhancing the lives of others is a service to the god that lives in others. Being submitted to their own integrity is service to the god that lives within them. Too woo woo for you? Fine! Just call the Rationals submitted to good ideals.
Then we can have the Mystics submitted to the concept of unity among all beings and awe for the mystery of existence. Or to the Infinite Ground of Being or whatever you want to call it. Some of them would call it God, some would call it god, some would call it the god within us all; some would call it Source.
The point is that it is only the Lawless who are totally in trouble. If only the Faithful could realize this, they could relax the zeal of their condemnation and marginalization of the Rationals and the Mystics who have moved beyond the need for the type of Faith the Faithful depend on.
Maybe the Faithful could learn to recognize who the Lawless truly are, distinguishing them from the Rationals, who kind of talk the same and just intensify their efforts at converting the Lawless to the next stage up. The Faithful should leave the Rationals alone to move up on their own to the Mystic level if need be – or stay at the Rational level in peace.