Dem Bones, Dem Dry Bones

The title for this blog comes from an old spiritual, which has at least two different versions. The one I’m thinking of is based on Ezekiel 37, wherein the prophet is whisked by God to a valley of dry bones, who represent the dead and exiled people of Israel, following their defeat by Babylon. If you don’t know the spiritual, then click on this fine recording by The Delta Rhythm Boys.

The song follows the scriptural reference, begging the question asked by God: “Can these bones live?” For anyone who has tried to live a life based on faith–Jewish, Christian or whatever–the question about whether dry bones can live again is as pertinent as ever. Why? It’s simply because most organised, institutionalised religions are, to a great extent, dry bones. Speaking only for my own faith tradition, the scriptures and the vast preponderance of theology, and the dogma which arises from theology, are skeletal remains of other people’s spiritual experiences. Most are written in third person narratives, with the occasional first person account–such as the letters of Paul.

Speaking from personal experience, no matter how much theology, doctrine or dogma one reads, it is a rare person indeed for whom such reading becomes a life-changing spiritual experience. I should also state that the reading of such material won’t prevent one from having a first-hand, genuine experience of the divine. It’s just that all the reading simply isn’t necessary. Like so much in life, I had to learn that lesson the hard way. The problem is that insitutionalised religions want their clergy to be well-versed in their scriptures–yes–and particularly in their doctrine, i.e. their interpretation of scripture. However, far too often doctrine becomes about the ‘right way to believe.’ It tends towards having the right answers to all questions of faith and doctrine. Rigid doctrine and dogma lead to fundamentalism, which then leads to the persecution/condemnation of those with different beliefs. Just consider Islamic State or American evangelicals–their doctrines hold that non-believers (in their judgement) should be eradicated. They hold that there is only one way to worship God. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth! I have found that it is the asking of good and delving questions that will more often lead one into a genuine life of faith. But be careful: good questions lead to other, sometimes better, questions! It is questions that lead us forward. Cut and dried answers lead us into a cul-de-sac.

Rather than go into my litany of the pitfalls of organised religion, I would encourage you to read my novel No Good Deed or Criminal Justice. Both or either will give you an insider’s view into the way the institutional church–to put it politely–can kick the stuffing out of you. Like all institutions, the church seeks to perpetuate itself, with its rules, dogma and doctrines. On a daily basis, these become more important than how we might grow closer to God or love ourselves and others. The teachings of Jesus fall by the wayside. So, am I telling you to stay away from churches? Not really. But I am suggesting that if you have real questions of spiritual life and faith, then find people whose life and faith have been tested; people who have suffered and come through it. There are many of them–but they won’t necessarily be wearing a clergy collar. Faith is about living life fearlessly and lovingly. To do less is to find oneself in a desert of dry bones.