Condemnation without trial...

St Elizabeth of Portugal. Wednesday 8th July, 2020

Writing of contemplative prayer Abbot Chapman notes: 'the whole thing is perfectly inexplicable. But then if it was explicable, it couldn't be a contact with the Infinite.' Is there such a thing/being as the Infinite? Some call it God but others simply flounder and have no explanation and desire not to try to encapsulate and restrict by using words and names. Yet, in my world of seeking, thinking, wondering etc I do enjoy the finite attempts to understand, to glimpse and engage with the Infinite. Large words, awesome concepts, bewildering ideas are untame-able yet such words as Love, Truth, Beauty, Hope are so necessary on any human journey. The journey probably ends in silence, in awe as so many poets, seers, mystics, artists, writers and philosophers have witnessed. Job is one of my favourites as he argued with, grew angry with, questioned the God in whom he saw Creation yet ended in silence, overwhelmed by his own ignorance. Silence is usually humble and wise. It can be cowardly also.

I have been following insufficiently closely the argument, the media item of the letter to Harpers in which well known personalities, such as JK Rowling, Salman Rushdie, Margaret Attwood and others have expressed their disquiet at what is causing 'restriction of debate'. They have condemned the 'vogue of public shaming and ostracism' and 'a blinding moral certainty' of those who sanction, ridicule, show outrage at opinions, attitudes other than their own.

It so happens that in a very minor way I have experienced something of a condemnation and ostracism for alleged happenings with which I was supposedly associated. It was a deeply harrowing and coruscating time and over ten years later the effects grow worse not easier to bear. What riled me was that so few , in fact only two, people knew the truth. Their knowledge contradicted each other's.  Yet many joined the outcry, the ostracism and the scapegoating and bandwagoning. Strangely although deeply scared it has been an opportunity for growth, learning and a new sets of experiences and life changing happenings. From this perspective I simply add my voice to those pleading that we are allowed to debate. Condemnation without knowledge or trial or debate is never right. Trial without jury is harsh, arrogant and I would prefer tolerant, gentle, serious reasoned debate and discussion. Yet some topics such as women's rights, racism, sexual abuse have such connotations that they are almost too emotive, too painful, too destructive to enter. In my case I prefer to remain silent rather than go through the helter skelter of hell again.

So we need to discuss the Infinites (justice, prejudices) without the hurt. Someone could represent my view and experience or tell the stories of individuals but we need to debate. Debate almost has to have the fuse taken out of it so that rational, intellectual progress and knowledgeable insights can be made.

I read also of a young woman who asked Trump various questions on women's rights, equality etc before his election as President. He later tweeted against her and her life was turned into hell with threats of rape, murder and more. She has since joined the voice trying to prevent cyber bullying.

Shutting down debate, using tabs 'shock horror', 'scandalised affront' is a severe form of bullying and should be resisted.  Sadly I am no courageous saint so for now I remain silent and hiding in the shadows with the cowardly banner 'leave me alone'. I know I am wrong and should be there quietly saying my piece and refusing to be cowed.

The whole thing is perfectly inexplicable....yes, and it does touch the Infinite.