Of poppies and pop culture

Yesterday, our children's choir led our worship at Saint Francis. And I do mean led. The message that they brought was the message that many of us--myself included--needed specifically to hear. They sang a piece entitled, "Don't Miss the Manger." While the song might have drifted to the kind of sentimentality that we tend to associate with children and Christmas, the truth is that it turned out to be a powerful and prophetic lesson, especially to the terminally jaded in our midst.

Religion is dangerous stuff. It can so easily be reduced and manipulated. Marx called it "the opiate of the masses." He is generally criticized for the statement but that is just because what he says is so potentially true.

A friend recently forwarded me an article entitled, Americans: Undecided About God? from the New York Times. He notes how little God is mentioned in our society. He suggests that people should be more willing to talk about God in public but then quickly acknowledges the challenge given the simplistic and obnoxious expressions of spirituality currently representing the public sphere. The article is essentially an appeal for a better standard when it comes to religion. The writer suggests that many of us might want to discuss God more openly but we just cannot bring ourselves to do so when religion in our time appears to be so embarrassing.

I understand his assessment though I disagree with the solutions that he offers. It is tough though. It is hard to argue with anyone who sees the cheesy and sleazy that so often accompanies the world of religion. This is not really new though. Those who would aspire to a spiritual journey have always had to put in the extra time and work around the quicksand.

It's always easy to criticize religion. This is because, like politics, loud expressions of religion always give folk so much to work with. But have you noticed the secular lately? Not really looking much better over there. Turn on television and take a look at that stuff. There is no monopoly when it comes to the dumbing-down of America...

Frankly, I feel for anyone out there floundering in this sea of drivel. Believers and atheists alike have very little to choose from. It takes some work to find the higher ground. And, of course, for those of us who would follow Jesus, higher ground is something of an oxymoron anyway.

So what does it look like? Authentic life? True spirituality? How do we listen for a God who might speak somewhat softer than the experts would have us believe? And who might also be a bit more sophisticated than the intellectuals are counting on?

Jesus admonishes his would-be followers to be "wise as serpents; harmless as doves." So it probably takes some effort to rise above the noise out there. But I believe that it is worth it. It's "the good fight" if you will--to see beyond the cynical as well as the simple.

I was moved by our kids yesterday. They reminded me that I need to curb my condescension. That I am not as smart as I think I am, nor am I as safe. When the silliness drives us half-mad, it is easy to become self-righteous. But cynicism is a trap that is no better than ignorance.

I think that the truth is, we all need help. Let's not miss the manger.

Still Cynical? Here's Natalie Merchant offering a somewhat dated but always spot-on commentary on the human condition Candy Everybody Wants