Strangers in a strange world

No, I know that's not the correct title of the R.A. Heinlein bestseller. In "Stranger in a Strange Land", he describes how Valentine Michael Smith, who was raised by Martians, struggles with understanding and adapting to humans, who in turn do everything they can to suppress him. There are many different levels to the story, but the one that primarily interests me is the one which tells the tale of how a very smart man with powers that go way beyond what we deem "natural", unique but very wise viewpoints and a strong leaning towards non violent solutions to differences of interests is treated by society. The book strongly suggests the main character is in fact some sort of Messiah, or the archangel Michael. He even dies by being brutally murdered by the masses who fear him, and returns after that.

It made me think. What, if Jesus Christ would indeed return to earth, just like millions of Christians believe he will? Mind you, my view on the person of Christ is not that of the Christian churches. To me, he was an adept, someone with great knowledge and highly evolved, divine yes but only as divine as we all are, if only we hadn't forgotten the origin of our spiritual selves. A living Buddha if you like, similar to, for instance, the Dalai Lama. Try picturing the deeds Christ did according to the bible, done here and now, in our 21st century western society. I'm pretty sure he would be called a fraud, a freak, and he would most likely end up in a mental hospital where they would drug him into giving up those silly ideas. Son of God.. sure dear, now take your pills and go to sleep.

In "Stranger in a Strange Land", Valentine Michael Smith at some point works as a magician in a traveling circus, doing levitations and teleportations in front of an audience. This fails miserably, because what he does is absolutely real, and people don't want real, they expect a magician to deceive them and can't stand the idea there is no trick behind it all. Have you ever seen Criss Angel at work? If not, you should. Here's a link to one of his videos, there are many more on YouTube. Criss is a controversial person to put it mildly. He reminds me of the vampire Lestat in "Queen of the Damned" in many ways. The media are a powerful tool to get a message, or a certain energy, across to millions of people. But here too, the ones wanting to be deceived turn away in horror when they realize what they see is real.

And there you have it, the paradox of religion, and most likely of humanity as a whole, apart from minor exceptions. Faith often only goes as far as believing things that haven't been proven. The divine needs to stay at a safe distance, so we can worship it from afar and base our hopes upon it. The thought that is in fact all around and even inside us as an integral part of our core being, is too frightening for us to accept. Perhaps because with accepting the concept that in fact we are God, comes the notion that we need to take responsibility for our actions and those of the people around us, and that no one will grant us absolution in case we mess things up. Another idea Heinlein has voiced in many of his books.

Good thing the book is pure fiction and so none of it is real ;).