bill's blog

To discover one's own spiritual poverty is to achieve a positive conquest by the spirit. —William Barrett¹

continue reading "Spiritual Poverty of the Modern World"

The Batman is the hero that Gotham loves to hate. This latest incarnation of the seventy-year-old superhero created by Bob Kane is intended to return to the original dark vigilante, from the campy 1960s television version, with all of the symbolism returned. Although the movie was better than its prequel—Batman Begins—it is also louder and harsher to the senses. But I enjoyed it mostly for its symbolism and the treasure trove of paradoxes it projects. It's more like real life than real life.

continue reading "The Dark Knight - Paradox of the Spirit"

Perhaps the greatest barrier to sociable and fertile discussion between religious and non-religious folk is the question of God.¹ God is THE defining barrier between Theists and Atheists—for example. And almost as potent: defining God or gods separates adherents of one religion from another. That is: Theology is perhaps the most divisive undertaking in human history—next to war, anyway. Kinda seems backward, doesn't it?

continue reading "The Problem with God"

The Cross is a very ancient symbol that represents the spiritual nature of humankind. It is so ancient that it predates written language. This ancient symbol is one of the four earliest and most significant of spiritual symbols, including the Point, the Circle, and Square. To understand Cross, we will first look at the other symbols.

continue reading "Cross as a Symbol of Spiritual Transformation"

The exposure of the Rev. Jeremiah Wright's Victim Gospel is merely an opening window peeking into the seedy works of victimhood preaching in particular, and to the church's widespread and divisive, sheep-versus-goat teachings in general. Both of these philosophies indulge parishioners' want to be comforted in their perceived afflictions, rather than encouraged to grow spiritually through adversity. This is not a true reflection of the teachings of Jesus. It's just the message that best sells.

continue reading "The Lesson of Jeremiah Wright"

I'm thinking about starting a new website. FaithCommons has done well, these past three years, and it probably has more life in it. But I want to open another path, one that might be difficult to begin unless it has its own space.

The focus of the site will be human spirituality and its development. And the premise of it is that spiritual maturity makes possible the highest that humans and humanity can attain, that of enlightenment, salvation, nirvana and the kingdom of God.

continue reading "Thinking About Starting a New Website"

Is God immanent or transcendent? Are we made in God's image, or do we create God in our own? These are common and ancient questions. But I'm asking another one these days—one that seems to better suit my quest. And that question is this: where is God to be found?

continue reading "God is Sought Where Answers End and Mystery Begins"