Holy Communion Issues And Concerns

Holy Communion or Eucharist Issues and Concerns

The rite of Holy Communion is a standard fare of Christian congregations world wide. As a child going to church with my parents it was difficult to understand just how participants believed or related to what was going on.  When attending the Eucharist and listening to the text involved, it seemed the focus revolved around a “sacrifice of blood and body shed for remission of the sins of the world”. The words,” Take, eat; this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And, “Drink ye all of this; for this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.“ would be droned forth as an expression of habit with seemingly little meaning or mystery ascribed to them. This was just something you did because your parents performed the act. There was little discussion of why the traditions were the way they were. As a matter of fact, questions needing challenging answers were openly discouraged.  Faith was emphasized; Challenging ideas questioning church and doctrines were perceived as “not showing respect in God’s House”.

 So what was a seeker of truth to do? The outward form of the Eucharist seemed to be a testament to cannibalism! Some Christian sects even would “bless” the wine and bread believing both were magically changed into the actual blood and fleshly body of Jesus. Other churches would “bless” the condiments and assume they now had a God given potency to represent the actual physical body of Jesus.

It was time to independently investigate Bible passages these Rites are based on. It was time to see, in the context of the Gospels themselves, what Jesus might have hinted as to what he really meant when he said,” And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.  Matthew 26:26-28

 What then, is the inner meaning of Jesus’ words? Why did Jesus emphasize the “eating of his body” when he knew full well the gut reactions generated in his audience by voicing such stark controversial symbolism?

 Church liturgies often use short simple excerpts from scripture in their services. The often used quote “Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.“ as taken by itself, could easily be literally interpreted as a physical body to be eaten as flesh and blood.  Yet, when taken in full context with other Biblical writers such as John 6:48 quoting Jesus as also saying,” I am that bread of life,”  and in John 6:51 “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world”,  it is clear Jesus is making a point easily missed in the standard communion service.

 Sometimes even one word in a phrase can represent a foundation for faith, even though, that same word is missing in other Gospels telling the same story. A good example is seen in scriptures of Matthew, Luke, Mark and Corinthians. In Matthew 26:28 we read,” For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”

 Some believers claim that the word” remission” here refers to the “physical washing away of sins by the blood of Jesus”. But the other three versions of the same story use different words to describe the truth spoken here.  Mark, 14:24 “And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many,” Luke 22:17-19,” And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves… And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me,” and Corinthians 11:24-25,” And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.”

  Upon examination the word” remission” (see above) is only found in Matthew’s account.  all renditions are somewhat different. The main consistent phrase is, “this is the blood of/in the new testament”.

 “Blood of the new testament, which is shed for many” may certainly refer to the suffering of Jesus for the sins of the world as he fulfilled the ancient Jewish Law. But if the word “blood” is read as a Hebrew term for “life;  “The life of the soul or the personality, of any being is in its blood.”  it also can be seen as a description of submitting his personal will to the Will of God, sacrificing his life enabling the giving of the  bread of life to many” as well.

 Jesus was seen, in his time, as breaking an ancient prohibition against drinking the blood of animals. He was very deliberatly and bluntly providing his Jewish audience with a choice i.e.: is your allegiance bound to ancient customs or will you open your heart and follow me? 

 Yet through it all, the over riding message meant for the world at large; Jews, Gentiles, Samaritans and Pharisees; is the all important “born again” transformation experience; salvation through “Bread Of Life” awareness of the Word offered within his teaching.

 The word “broken” seen in Corinthians is often used in argument that Jesus suffered broken bones upon his death. Yet, none of the other accounts seem to support this claim. Instead words such as “divide it among yourselves”, “given for you” he broke it” etc. would seem to suggest the act of portioning out bread to guests at a table.

 Indeed, when all complete accounts are read the evidence of wonderful symbolism expressing the need to bring the enlightened truth of Jesus into your life and soul is compelling.

 As the scriptures quoted and the studies in this treatise makes clear, it is not enough to pick a “favorite” word, verse or passage and adopt it as proof of some favored orthodox traditional  view or accepted rite practice. The ancient writers were recalling from their own memories the stories Jesus told. Therefore it stands to reason; each rendition will be a little different.

 Thus the actual words Jesus uttered are lost in the sands of time. Thankfully, we do have many of the same events recorded by different authors. We must be careful however not to slip into the ideology of believing every word written by the many Bible writers are themselves revealed inerrant word by word accounts of what Jesus said; How can they be? They are not exact copies but contain substantial differences in textual context and emphasis.

 The best we can do or hope for, to  come closest to the meanings Jesus possibly had in mind,  is, through an attitude of prayerful open-minded search and contrite spirit, to line up and compare similar stories as found in the Gospels and see how they back each other up while looking for the common denominators found between them.

 Then, of course, there are various translation and editing issues turning up as modern day scholars do thorough investigations on the subject.

 When entering a church and listening to the dialogue perpetuated as the actual words of Jesus containing the complete meaning of the “Last Supper”; I ask” How can this be? It seems much of the rendition has been edited out to conform to the convenience and necessities of a ritualized Rite within the confines of a standardized structured church service.

  I give you a sample of clergy advising clergy on matters of meaning within the Bible and majority thinking within a typical church congregation. The source is the Rev. Ken Collins’ Web Site at  http://www.kencollins.com/pray-32.htm

 “  Do not misquote Jesus.

Jesus said, “This is my body,” not “This represents my body,” or “This symbolizes my body.” You can lose credibility or even parishioners if they perceive you as creatively misquoting Jesus—even if they agree with your interpretive intent. For the purposes of a church rite, it doesn’t really matter what the meaning of “is” is. Save that discussion for Sunday School or the sermon.

  Do not say “this is my body, broken for you.”

That is a poorly attested variant reading of 1 Corinthians 11:24. The gospel writers go to a lot of trouble to assure us that Jesus’ bones were not broken. The Passover lamb, and thus also the Lamb of God, would be disqualified by any broken bones. I know a pastor who got a tongue-lashing from a biblically literate parishioner over this.

The word “broken” appears in the King James Version because it is in the Majority Text, which was compiled without proper textual-critical methods. The current speculation is that “broken” was inserted by a scribe who was thinking of the Eucharist. “This” could refer to the bread, not the body. Nevertheless, it’s best to avoid that wording, because most people interpret it as meaning that Jesus’ body was broken, which is not true.”

Question: Are not churches doing a real disservice to their congregations by fostering beliefs based, not on what Jesus meant and often made clear in his complete dissertations, but rather, on what the church itself has edited and placed in a different context within their own contrived methodologies and traditions? Perhaps we should leave the rites and rituals of a traditionalized worship service and focus on study, praise and worship of God. Let us honor the Word of God by perusing and comparing the complete texts, and with open mind and heart, be accepting of the possibility of greater perspective, wider insight and deeper appreciation, wisdom and love. Let us stop picking “favorite fragments” as a basis of faith.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus clearly and logically explains the allegorical relationship between the nourishment of God’s Word, which will never leave you in hunger or thirst, partaking of the bread and wine and the eating of his body. Although this Gospel does not contain the actual “Last Supper” story, it may well be prudent to examine what Jesus is recorded as saying for in his words lie greater understandings and meanings of what Jesus true intent may have been as he addressed those in the temple.

 John includes a very lucid explanation given by Jesus regarding the true inner spiritual meaning of the symbols of his body and the bread of life.

 The reasoning goes something like this:

 1. I (Jesus) decree I bring to you everlasting life. (article of faith assumption)

2. I (Jesus) decree I am that bread of life. (article of faith assumption)

3. Former generations ate grain based bread but are now dead.

4. But those who eat the bread I offer gain everlasting life, they will not die.

5. Therefore, since the results are different, the bread in each case is different.  One comes down from heaven and is “living”; the other is baked in an oven and is dead.

6. I myself am the living bread from heaven. (Another name for the bread of life.)

7. Thus the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

8. As this bread gives eternal life; to receive it, you must partake of my flesh and blood.

9. For he who eats and drinks of my body will have eternal life.

10. The Living Father sent me, and I live by the Father; so he who eats me lives by me.

 Both the logic and the required faith to accept the assumptions of truthfulness in this claim are unmistakable. No wonder many who heard this highly unusual teaching, offering mystic everlasting union through what they were deliberately led to perceive was a heinous act of cannibalism, left the premises in disgust. It seems Jesus was testing the understanding and faith of many. Jesus even said as they were leaving,” That no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father”.

 The Christ, the Word of God that has been from the beginning as dwelling in Jesus, is of eternal spirit. As it is spirit of enlightenment it stands to reason its gifts bestowed to mankind are also of the enlightened spirit.  The body referred to here is also of the non-corporal spirit. Thus, if you receive the Word into your heart; eat and ingest into your soul,  you are obtaining inner radiance and light; not blood and flesh. 

 It seems clear then that the rather misleading ancient rituals of Holy Communion requiring some form of transubstantiation or other means of identifying food items, as representing the physical body of Jesus of Nazareth, are not correct. The entire point is missed. The casual churchgoer, who takes  Holy Communion activities as representing the fleshly body of Jesus, are, in a sense, in nearly the same league as those who left the synagogue so long ago.

 Here are the complete unabridged words of Jesus as seen in John 6: 47-66 Read for yourself the full explanation and follow the logic inherent in this lesson by the Master. (The verses where Jesus presents this and the lesson involved are separated for easier study.)

 6:47- Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

 6:48 I am that bread of life.

 6:49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.

 6:50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.

 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.

 6:52 The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?

 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

 6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.

 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.

 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.

 6:58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

 6:59-66 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 

(King James Bible, John 6:47-66)

 

Here are three famous renditions of the “Last Supper” as told by Matthew, Mark and Luke.

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

 But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

 (King James Bible, Matthew 26: 26-29)

 

And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.

And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?

And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.

The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.

And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.

And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.

Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

  (King James Bible, Mark 14: 18-26)

 

 And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

            (King James Bible, Luke 22:14-20)

Corinthians is full of lessons and insight regarding the “Last Supper”.

 11:20-22: Mentions the eating of food when one is hungry which is not praiseworthy.

 11:24-27: is the “Last Supper” story.

 11:28-30: One must examine oneself to discern the Lord’s body. “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” In other words. The eyes of many are not open to discern the true meaning of the Lord’s body. They perform rites in blind acceptance without thought. True transformation and meaning has eluded them.

 11:31-32: For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged” We must stand in unworthiness before God and God, in His mercy, will grant what will enable us to overcome the anxieties and tribulations of this world.

11:20-22: When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

 11:24-27: For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

11:28-30: But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

 11:31-32: For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

11:33-34 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.

And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

(King James Bible, 1 Corinthians 11:20-34)

 

Yet, in spite of the strong evidence presented in the Bible itself of the symbolic meaning of the body and blood of Jesus representing the “Bread of Life”; the various liturgical texts continually dwell on the “sacrifice of his body given for you”,  and “This is my blood of the new covenant, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.´ There is no mention of the “Bread of Life” in any form, nor are passages such as,” This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.” And “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world,” rarely, if ever, heard in a Communion Service.

 To make this point, two examples of Eucharist Liturgy are given. The first is a Methodist Church service, the second is excerpted from a Catholic Mass.

Methodist Communion Liturgy

 On the night in which he gave himself up for us,
Our Lord Jesus took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread
gave it to his disciples, and said:
“Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.”

Likewise, when the supper was over, he took the cup,
gave thanks to you, gave it to his disciples, and said:
“Drink from this, all of you,
this is my blood of the new covenant,
poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Christ has died;
Christ is risen;
Christ will come again

And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ,
we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving
as a holy and living sacrifice,
in union with Christ’s offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of faith:

The original Catholic liturgy read as a central premise from which the Holy Eucharist is designed seems to vaguely acknowledge the reality, the symbolism of the body of Jesus as a metaphor for the Word of God but the central emphasis is on “our unworthiness in manifold sin” and Jesus’ blood and body given as a sacrifice to cleanse the sins of the world. Three Eucharist Masses are excerpted here.

Holy Eucharist I

“ disciples, saying, “Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given 
for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Likewise, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had
given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink ye all of this;
for this is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for
you, and for many, for the remission of sins. Do this, as oft as
ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”

…And we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to
hear us; and, of thy almighty goodness, vouchsafe to bless
and sanctify, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, these thy gifts
and creatures of bread and wine; that we, receiving them
according to thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ’s holy institution,
in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers
of his most blessed Body and Blood.

And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to
accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; most
humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and
death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood,
we, and all thy whole Church, may obtain remission of our
sins, and all other benefits of his passion.

 Holy Eucharist I     335

And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies, to be reasonable, holy, and living
sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee that we, and all
others who shall be partakers of this Holy Communion, may
worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son
Jesus Christ, be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction,
and made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and
we in him.

And although we are unworthy, through our manifold sins,
to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept 
this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, 
but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord;

By whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world
without end. AMEN.

336    Holy Eucharist

…. Grant us therefore,
gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ,
and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him,
and he in us. Amen.

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee,
preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat
this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on
him in thy heart by faith, with thanksgiving.

The Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for thee,
preserve thy body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in
remembrance that Christ’s Blood was shed for thee, and be
thankful.

or with these words

The Body (Blood) of our Lord Jesus Christ keep you in
everlasting life. [Amen.]

or with these words

The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven. [Amen.]
The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation. [Amen.]

Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee
for that thou dost feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the
spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy
Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of
thy favor and goodness towards us; and that we are very
members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, the
blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs,
through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom. And we humbly
beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy
grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do
all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the
Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end.
Amen.

The Bishop when present, or the Priest, gives the blessing

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep
your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God,
and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of
God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be
amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen.

The Deacon, or the Celebrant, may dismiss the people with these words

                 Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
People         Thanks be to God.”

See the mother site at  http://onenessbecomesus.com 

 

 

 

 

Metamorphosis: A Rebirth

Metamorphosis: A Rebirth of Spirit.

First, all insects hatch from an egg, on a food source whence it was laid.

Eating, growing, crawling through life, instars – shedding when skin is tight.

Larva, caterpillar grows so fast, for destined change will be a task.

Soon a chrysalis will affirm, an inward change with no return.

 

Chrysalis, a synthesis of of function shape and form, such wonder of mystery, efficiency adorned.

Cradle of magnificence protects the change within, Hidden from the eyes of men as it has always been.

Colors of a butterfly slowly showing through, the skin of protection, delicate but true.

its time for emergence, the chrysalis must die, so its inner being can spread new wings and fly.

Pushing and pumping, the pupal skin is cracked, out slips the insect from its previous form intact.

Coming together as it works on many parts, if all is successful a new life soon will start.

Wings now in symmetry the butterfly has flown, patterned in language code each species calls its own.

Now in a world that no human can discern, a metaphor of life reborn for which we often yearn.

For pictures showing butterfly metamorphosis see http://lifecycle.onenessbecomesus.com

“Cycles Within Cycles”: A series of Haiku poems

 

Here is a set of Haiku poems. Haiku is a Japanese poetic style. Each stanza contains three lines of 5, 7 and 5 syllables each.

Fall

Clouds come rolling in;
as the sky begins to dim,
north winds bring a chill.

Leaves rise in the sky;
whirls of color flying by,
restless winds of change.

Trees bare branches stark;
frost condensing in the dark,
crystals of beauty.

Snow flies from the north;
as the length of day is waning
birds fly to the south.

Winter

Winter wonderland;
moonlit snow, aurora’s glow;
crisp cold of silence.

Cold, clear as starlight;
glinting crystals, twinkling lights,
catching full moonlight.

Timber wolves howling;
harmonies of ancient song,
rising yet falling.

Spring

Icy grip softens;
snow is sagging wet with slush,
melting streamlets rush.

Promise of sunlight;
rippling. melting signs of spring,
warm, longer daylight.

Thawing warmth quickens;
life rhythms corresponding
ancient cycles flowing.

Summer

Long warm hazy days,
shouting children run and play.
“Let’s go to the fair”.

Come look, there’s a snake,
evolution at its best.
No, its not a pest.

Graceful, masterful
swallow in perfected flight.
We watch in delight.

Metamorphosis

Chrysalis breaking;
a new form overtaking,
freed from confinement.

Metamorphosis:
Winged wonder soon will depart;
showing what it is.

Unsustainability

Dozers dueling earth;
plowing under, asunder
overturned plunder

Unsustainable:
weathered carcass of topsoil.
Irreclaimable.

Spirituality

A dawning new day;
multi-hued new morning light:
A changing of ways.

Philosophy

Potential Being;
pre-existent what could be,
brings forth existence.

Birth, death, cycles change;
elemental force being
everywhere the same.

Pre-destined free will,
potential is essential;
Existence becomes.

For more the the case for world unity see  http://onenessbecomesus.com. 

Culture Shock: A personal experience

Culture Shock

I was asked to comment on my experiences with the drug culture in Stanton, KY.

This article in no way is meant to promote a negative stereotype of the Appalachian people or the culture of Eastern Kentucky. I am simply reporting my own experience and putting forth a “snap shot” of how the drug culture is destroying the real meaning of what traditional Appalachian is living all about.

The year 2000 not only marked the beginning of a new millennium but opened up a chapter in my life I never could have imagined. The saga began when, from the beginning, I was misguided as to where I should set up my new mobile home. I naively ended up in, according to the State Police, “one of the worst pockets of drug abuse in the state”.

Having just left Minnesota, I was totally unaware of the “drug culture”. I tended to assume the innate goodness in neighbors and individuals until proven otherwise. Even as my trailer was set up in the lot the neighbors were open and friendly. Little did I know what the real hidden motives would be behind this apparent “friendship”

As the first months went by it became obvious the culture, education and mind-set of these people was very different. I was not cautioned or prepared; after all, was I not in the middle of the United States? Was this not the beginning of the 21^st century? Had we not sent people to the moon and explored the stars? Did not people believe in the sciences, and good education? Was not ancient medievalist thinking in the past? As experiences began to unfold I began to wonder.

As for education; most of the people, including the youth, were high school drop outs. The parents did not discourage even their own high school aged children from dropping out saying,” you don’t need education, school education is not necessary, it won’t help you get any better job than you can get without it. School teaching could even lead you astray from Jesus,”

As the locals became aware I was not one of them and was brought up in a middle class well educated neighborhood far to the North, there seemed to be an element of suspicion but the open camaraderie continued. They began by asking if I would help the younger elementary children with school assignments. Soon this escalated to needing money to buy clothing and food for the children.

During this time I was invited to a Pentecostal church. The service was very different. There was “calling upon the Holy Spirit” to descend where members would stand, wave their hands while reaching upwards in chant. Later came a remarkable scene where people, coming up to the alter to be healed, would be gripped by the minister, told they were healed by the power of Jesus, and then pushed hard on the forehead causing them to fall backwards seemingly in a catatonic trance. People standing directly in back would catch them and lay the unconscious believer on the floor.

The hallmark of the end of the service was a marked increase in “speaking in tongues”. Although sporadic at first, it reached a crescendo. Soon more members were lying on the floor between the chairs. Shaking and/or speaking in tongues all the while seemingly unaware of the outside world.

Needless to say, my Midwest educated mind was not prepared for this. I truly was confused and uncomfortable with the whole situation. I wanted to leave but since I had driven my neighbors to the church I had to wait for them. At this point I began walking around the perimeter of the sanctuary and, while carefully stepping over people lying on the floor, proceeded to say my own prayers for guidance. Almost immediately the preacher hurriedly came up to me asking in a firm tone,” who are you praying to,” I answered,” God,” Then the minister asked,” are you praying to Jesus,” I replied simply,” I am praying to God,” At this the minister said,” in this church you can only pray in the name of Jesus,”.

It was soon after this surreal experience (where I had also been approached to be saved through “laying on of hands”) I learned that these people are so suspicious of anything new or different because it might be an attempt of a satanic spirit to mislead them. The preacher apparently thought I was conjuring up the devil!

As time went on the neighbors (who were continously asking favors from “Minnesota Man”) approached me to see if I would exorcize a demon from a wooden peace symbol that had a history of being used in Witchcraft Coven Ceremonials. They said,” We have been hearing voices and felt strange powers from this log. Our Pastor told us it was full of demons which had to be driven out. We know you don’t believe in this sort of thing so would you burn it? We are scared but we know you are our friend. Would you help us?” They gave me some kerosene, and, fearfully backing away, placing both arms as a shielding cross across their breasts.

All this time there was an inordinate amount of traffic coming in and out of the trailer park. Once, during a visit one of two friend’s speech began to slur. Within minutes she was unable to communicate and was flaccid and drooling. She had just taken a “Soma” Before she came. Soon a cop came by wondering if I had knowledge of or had seen a young man who had just died of a drug overdose. ,”Yes, I had seen him earlier today. He came to look at some chameleons I was selling,” The officer told me,” this was just a routine investigation. He was found dead in his trailer,” Then the officer stated,” You know, you don’t belong here.”

It was now clear to the drug dealers I knew what was going on. They offered to let me in on a deal if I would drive them to Beattyville, loan them $200 dollars for the Doctor’s fee (which was the cover charge for writing them prescriptions for drugs they would sell on the street). I of course, would have to pay the pharmacy bill as well in order to get a ten percent cut of the street sales profit. I could not believe what they were asking and backed away saying,” I want nothing to do with this”

The grand finale was yet to come.
About a year and a half after moving there I left to visit Minnesota. Upon my return, the homecoming scene was a horror. The trailer home was vandalized to the point of needing major repair, checks from a blank checkbook were embezzled and somehow, they had gotten my credit card number and charged a large total on the account through the internet.

The local Police were of little help. It seems, back in the year 2000; most of the Law Enforcement was corrupted by drugs, favors and nepotism. Threatening phone calls from people impersonating police officers and lawyers we common. So much else was going on I cannot recount them all. This writing could easily become a book! Suffice it to say a car given to me by my parents was rolled down a hill and totaled. My total losses added up to about $60,000 dollars.

One nice young officer came to my door saying,” We can tell you are not from here. We know what is going on with the drug dealings in the neighborhood and are gathering evidence to stop it. I strongly suggest you move out.” Indeed, it was time to leave.

My misadventure caused me major disillusion about humanity. Even as I write this nearly seven years later it is an emotional experience.

I went bankrupt, yet my overall faith in supreme goodness came to my aid. I see God as far larger than any single creed or doctrine. I am, thankfully, in comfortable housing and have met some true friends helping me to recover. This was a great lesson.

Thanks be to God, the Lord of all the worlds!

Feel free to visit “serving the case for world unity” http://onenessbecomesus.com and you will see where I am coming from.