What tales do dead symbols tell?
Backstory
I don't consider myself "religious" because I don't know what that term means universally — the generic dictionary definition, notwithstanding. Nevertheless, I will occasionally quote certain passages from the Bible or other similar sources, if I find wisdom in the words.As I assume is true for most of us, I've had Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormon missionaries repeatedly ring the front doorbells of the homes in the various states where I've put down stakes. Though I'm no angel (no pun intended), I am not the type to slam the door in the faces of these folks, who I believe are good intentioned. Thus, in every instance, I have genially accepted their literature; and if I truly had time, invited them in for what I considered a philosophical chat.
The flyer shown above was dropped off yesterday by Witnesses. It's not very different from the multitudes I've been given many times before. However, the questions and the image on this one really made me ponder: Indeed, who is THIS man? Anybody? Nobody? A sketched made-up somebody who could be the twin of a famous real body from history? Absent YouTube and other social media 20 centuries prior, we don't have a visual record of that body walking on water, raising the dead, and blowing his flock's minds in sundry other ways. All done with perfectly coiffed hair and beard.
Assuming there lived such a body, he apparently told some fascinating and inspirational tales during his lifetime. And fascinating and inspirational tales have been told ABOUT his lifetime. Some are likely, shall we say, "vertically impressive". We are free to speculate about the veracity of the tales that have been and continue to be told. We are free to embrace or shun the symbols that illustrate those tales. Inanimate symbols. Animate symbols.
Tales and symbols. Can religions exist without them? Moreover, what would the whole of humanity's existence be without them? Tales and symbols.
by Staraj in Six-Word Memoirs on Mar 16, 2013 | 
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Comments
accidentaltourist says,
Fantastic read. Thank you.Staraj says,
Glad you liked it, AT. I admit it's not typical fare for this site, but it is a true story, and thus, my memoir.L2L3 says,
Excellent backstory. Great timing.notjustagirlintheworld says,
Wow.canadafreeze says,
Extraordinarily thoughtful backstory. Wow, is right. A nice feature, too:-)Wench says,
Actually, one of the first icons was painted by St. Paul. Icons have been preserved and passed down for 2,000 years, depicting Jesus Christ, Mary, and the saints. Since Jesus came to earth as a physical being, a visible presence, iconography has been used to preserve his visible presence for future generations.I know we're not on the same religious page, just thought I'd share. =)
Staraj says,
Proverbs 29:18?KharisJo says,
Congrats on a well-deserved feature and an interesting and reflective memoir.oopsalittle says,
Kudos on feature - interesting and reflective. My parents were J witnesses and always had these booklets on their kitchen table.