Likin' the Spiritual, but NOT the Religious? discussion

In her introduction to this book, Barbara Brown Taylor offers a working definition of 'darkness' as she is exploring it in this book: "For now, it is enough to say that 'darkness' is shorthand for anything that scares me -- that I want no part of -- either because I am sure that I do not have the resources to survive it or because I do not want to find out. The absence of God is in there, along with the fear of dementia and the loss of those nearest and dearest to me." How does fear interrelate with darkness as you deal with it in your life? Is God (a higher being, the universe, etc.) always absent in times of 'darkness?'

I look forward to this forum, I found it interesting that she compared her spiritual walk to the moon phases(different every night) where the sun is the same day in and day out. It seems kind of unfair to blame all my troubles on darkness when you think about it.

I think the author is using darkness literally and metaphorically to make her point, but this can cause confusion. Literal darkness is not evil or anything to fear, though we naturally do fear it, as we cannot see what's out there. She seems to use metaphorical darkness partially to represent some trial in life, and I don't think it's an apt metaphor, as I can usually see what the trial involves - e.g., sickness. She also mentions that darkness could mean the absence of God, and that is a very apt metaphor. But it also flies in the face of her title - who wants to learn to walk in the absence of God? Not me. Maybe I have not read enough, but the author's point seems muddled to me.

I think a lot of our darkness is percieved-Mother Theresa's writings suggested her struggles with the absence of God as did John of the Cross in Dark Night of the Soul. So, I don't see it as learning to walk without God but learning that God is also in the hidden places.

Welcome Tim and Bryan to the conversation!

Since I've read the whole book, I think I may have a little perspective here. I think she is saying that God IS present in the 'darkness,' perhaps even more so, we just are conditioned to avoid darkness or any ugly situations or emotions we encounter. AND this practice is encouraged by a Christian Faith tradition that tends to only equate God with Light. As a someone who preaches and writes prayers, this book is totally making me rethink the language I use for worship. Maybe we should include more darkness, not necessarily as a bad thing.

Please Tim and Bryan, invite your friends to this discussion or start new conversations that are compelling to you.

I love this discussion. I, too, as a preacher, teacher and blogger have begun to rethink my use of words related to dark and light. One of the things I wonderful about is her use of "full-solar Christian." She is very gracious in her use of it. I know the type of Christian(s) she is referring to, but I know that to some degree, I operate better in the light. It's not that I don't see value in exploring darkness, both physical and spiritual, but knowing myself (a morning person, a daylight person) I think I have a different experience than she does. I know I have a different perspective than my daughter does, who is an obvious nocturnal type person.

I'm also a morning/sun person, Jo and never totally feel safe in the dark. (I did sleep with a bedside lamp on until I was 11.) But, as an adult I appreciate the darkness, the times in the wilderness. It's just hard to see the way out of them in the moment.

I am actually a night person. I have a hard time getting my day going before 9:30 am.

I get scared when my eyes play tricks on me in the dark. For example, one time I was up late at night reading a book . I was reading by lamplight, not overhead light. I looked up an thought the door to the attic was opening up by itself.

I am also deathly afraid of severe thunderstorms at night. I have been scared of storms since birth. Now I only get freaked out when they happen at night. It is because I cannot see what is coming at me. The thought of tornados absolutely paralyzes me.

It's so interesting how some people are wired for the day and others for the night. You're experiencing darkness either way. I'm often awake before the sun and really like that darkness/stillness of early morning.

Yes, I like that, too. I love waking up early and moving about the house in the dark and then seeing the light of the new day wash over everything.

I find it interesting that Barbara spoke about how much she embraced the evening and night times as she was growing up. It wasn't until she attended church with her friends that she began experiencing fear of evil and fear of the unknown in the darkness.

Well, that is certainly an important insight, especially for those of us who are part of faith communities.