Religion revisited

"What is truth?" Pontius Pilate fully demonstrated his political credentials when he asked Jesus this question. For Pilate, and those like him, there are no answers, just possible solutions - options. Politics is the art of the possible, while truth remains the domain of philosophical speculation.

It's an interesting pastime trying to identify the mood of a Nation. How would you describe the way we feel today as a community? Are we pessimistic, optimistic, uneasy, guilty, secure, ...... What is the mood of the Nation? A good politician will always feel out the mood of his electorate. An advertising agency will do the same. So, what's the "feel" in the urban sprawl, or the far-flung country towns?

In a Western Capitalist society, the mood of a Nation often reflects the boom / bust cycle. When we're in a downturn, there's limited economic activity, a lowering of living standards and an increase in unemployment. Then, as new markets develop so economies expand, industrial production increases and living standards improve. Twenty-five years is the usual cycle, so I am told, although economic movements seem more compounded than they used to be. Strange as it may seem, when we are in an upturn there is always the fear it is about to fall apart. So, the feel is optimistic, or pessimistic, or sometimes both.

Our present age is one of uneasiness. Nothing seems to work anymore. In such an environment we look beyond the tried-and-true formulas. So, sectarian groups flourish - the security of a narrow and rigorous religion. Eastern religions flourish - the security of ancient and esoteric ideals. Black and white magic and spiritism flourish - the security of hidden powers. Nature religions flourish, back to the land, vegetarianism, herbal medicines, natural home-birth ... - the security of mother earth. Even socialism gets dusted off for another run (and another failure!) - the security of equality. All are a response to a feeling that technology, economics, political science.... no longer have the answers.

And what of that well-worn path known as Christianity? A bit on the nose these days! But then, "What is truth?" Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life." Though all around Him may change, He changes not.

lectionarystudies.com