Tom Robbins on Religion, God, & The Spiritual Life

Tom Robbins is the kind of author who people often say you either love or hate. All things considered, that is probably the best kind of author to be, as it reflects that level of truth telling which always inspires radically opposing emotions in others. Robbins is also the kind of author that we at The Living Hour would identify as an excellent example of the SBNR Progressive Christian, even though he would undoubtedly not describe himself in such terms. Regardless, Robbins displays the kind of attitude, wisdom, and joie de vivre that we admire.

The following are selected quotes from Tom Robbins covering the subject of God, religion, and the art of living:

**”A sense of humor…is superior to any religion so far devised.”

**”We waste time looking for the perfect lover, instead of creating the perfect love.”

**”If by the quarter of the twentieth century godliness wasn’t next to something more interesting than cleanliness, it might be time to reevaluate our notions of godliness.”

**”What difference does it make if the Gospel is mostly a lie? It’s an engrossing story and the words of its hero are excellent words to live by, even today.”

**”If you believe in peace, act peacefully; if you believe in love, acting lovingly; if you believe every which way, then act every which way, that’s perfectly valid – but don’t go out trying to sell your beliefs to the system. You end up contradicting what you profess to believe in, and you set a bum example. If you want to change the world, change yourself.”

**”Curiosity, especially intellectual inquisitiveness, is what separates the truly alive from those who are merely going through the motions.”

**”All depression has its roots in self-pity, and all self-pity is rooted in people taking themselves too seriously.”

**”Anyone who maintains absolute standards of good and evil is dangerous. As dangerous as a maniac with a loaded revolver.”

**”Solace? That’s why God made fermented beverages and the blues.”

**”I believe in nothing, everything is sacred. I believe in everything, nothing is sacred.”

What might Tom Robbins say if he were a Zen teacher? Click on Zen to find out!

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Progressive Christian Resolutions

When Progressive Christians look toward their lineage, few find sympathy with the old Calvinists of 18th century New England. Jonathan Edwards’ sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” is one of the last things we equate with the tenants of Progressive Christianity. And yet Jonathan Edwards, like all of us, is a complicated individual. While going off the rails at times (okay, a lot of the time), at other junctures he sets his wheels on a path worth admiring. Edwards was one who believed in laying down resolutions, and following them diligently. The following resolutions are taken from his famous list of 70, and ones which all Progressive Christians could benefit from:

1) Never to lose one moment of time, but to improve it in the most profitable way I possibly can.

2) To live with all my might, while I do live.

3) To be endeavoring to find fit objects of charity and liberality.

4) That I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.

5) Never to speak evil of anyone…

6) To do, always, what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace.

7) To ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month, and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better.

8) Not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness, and benignity.

9) To improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind.

10) Let there be something of benevolence in all that I speak.

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To read about the renegade progressive Christians at St. Mary’s Brisbane, please go to: Support St. Mary’s Brisbane & Fr. Peter Kennedy