CRUMBLING IDOL GOD--A story

Very long ago, God was cast into the "stone" mold of Supreme Being.

"Supreme Being" was rightly worshipped with a hierarchy of lesser beings in heaven and on earth.

Hierarchy was the sign and symbol of this god's vitality. The stronger and more elaborate the hierarchy, the stronger this god appeared.

In time, people began to see great flaws in hierarchy. Leaders covered up crimes and protected their own. Places of worship and learning were closed to protect financial security. Liturgists and thinkers out of step with hierarchy were removed or discredited to protect doctrinal and ritual conformity-security.

People wondered quietly about hierarchy. They wondered secretly about the whole idea of a Supreme Being with hierarchies of beings from greatest to least. They wondered about stifling protection and costly security and hierarchies of unequals.

"Blasphemy," they were told. "Revelation and Tradition had spoken. Supreme Being and Hierarchy are infallible doctrines" they were told.

Some people kept on wondering secretly. Some gave up caring about the "Supreme Being" system of thinking about God. Some became "heretics" and others gave up believing in religion as God's messenger. Still others remained the faithful remnant of the Supreme Being.

Reflection on story

It seems like forever that "Supreme Being" theology served all of the people very well...as idols often do...but only for a time.

Idols always crumble when we come to the point of seeing beyond them...when they no longer fill spiritual needs...or when everyday reality causes us to question their meaningfulness...
...until again we question and look beyond the next theology we hold too near and dear.

Sister Lea