about the author...
of heathens, hypocrites and homosexuals...You've read one of my earlier essays on religion. My writings don't necessarily reflect my personal beliefs as there are many angles of truth. This is the very reason I enjoy writing. Notions of truth often change and are relevant to particular cultures and understandings, locales and expectations/wants/needs. To research and convince myself of one truth, research again and find yet another is an interesting commentary... On what? I'm not sure.
For these reasons, theology is of particular interest to me. I sometimes write from personal experience, though many times I write from personal observation. More often than not, I enjoy writing essays about social and philosophical topics from a point of view I agree with... and disagree with. What's more interesting than forcing oneself to truly understand, empathize with and support that which one doesn't necessarily believe? To do this in such a way that I can then present the very viewpoint I oppose, in such a way that is convincing to both me and hopefully a reader or two is orgasmic.
I like to look at the common/pedestrian/expected way of doing, seeing something, and seek a new or different or unexpected angle.
These are some of the reasons I've written Heathens.
I don't mean to be grandiose, but when I'm in 'writer mode,' I just click over until I'm good and done. And I had to lay it on thick for this section.
But really, one of the most interesting experiences of writing about religion is how seriously we take it. The responses are some of the most heated and emotionally-charged. I've seen somewhat objective and intellectual types resort to attacks on everything but the points at hand. Discussing religion is far different than discussing a simple 'hot topic' like abortion, homosexuality or terrorism. These are simple acts or feelings, not beliefs, not 'living systems' which are the bases for our senses of hope and life in general.
That we now intermingle as such, the constant reality of numerous contradicting realities being thrust in our faces produces at least a couple of strong reactions.
We become more fundamentalistic and polarized.
We become more inclusive, thereby 'watering down' our original beliefs.
In such cases, our beliefs are actually more based on reaction than conviction.
Along with notions of truth, this dichotomous result is the breeding-ground of my fascination with the epistemology of religions.
Okay, I'll pull it in a little. Just love words.
Thanks for your interest. Hope you enjoyed... or hated is fine, too.
Regards,
Ed
