A Contrarian Look at the Book of Mark

I have long believed that the biggest problem with religion today is that it has lost its purpose.  Religious people often debate things like science, evolution, liberalism or church doctrine, and lose sight of that which is most important.  The Bible for example is not a science book, its purpose is not to explain the origin of species, and it is definitely not a guideline for deciding which dogmatic faction of Christianity to belong to.  I believe it's purpose is to provide a history of the Jews and early Christians, and of their religious cultures.  And more importantly to teach us how to be moral, maintain good/healthy habits and how to treat, and not treat one another.  It teaches the mistakes and successes of 4000 years of Jewish men and women, so that we may use it as a guide to a more spiritual and vibrant life.

It is important to also understand that regardless of your specific faith, as long as it is peaceful, the benefits of possessing a devotion to that faith are essential. This article is simply a healthy, contrarian walk through the Book of Mark, that all people religious or not would benefit from understanding.

The Simple Life

John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." Mark 1:6-8

Baptism was a very important part of Judaism as well Christianity.  It combined with repentance represented spiritual cleansing; a form of leaving your former unspiritual self behind and a dedication to a new life.  However in today's society, a man wearing animal hair, eating locusts and telling you to change your ways is not quite the model of spirituality that we are use to.  However this simplicity is a key element to Christianity, even though it is usually overlooked in favor of more modern luxuries.

Jesus himself, the central character to the Christian faith lived this way as well.  He owned no home, slept outside, sometimes on a fisherman's boat and spent 40 days in the desert.  When he sent out his disciples to preach, he sent them with no possessions, food or money.

One of the most important, yet underratted parts of spirituality is to live simply.  Do not be influenced and controlled by the materialism that drives most Western society. Spirituality has nothing to do with what you wear, where you live, how you look or what you eat; it has everything to do with your heart.

The Power of Faith

In many verses like Mark 2:5-12, Jesus links the faith of an individual to spiritual and physical healing. Is this simply an example of the placebo effect? Or is it something much greater?  One thing is for sure is that there is power in hope and belief.  The placebo effect is often used with great results at war time to help relieve the pain of the wounded, when medical supplies are unavailable.  It is also well documented that the religiously devout live approximately 8 years longer than those who are not.  On the contrary atheist (those in disbelief) populations have higher rates of suicide.  This is oten called the religiosity-longevity correlation. To learn more about it please read David Meyer's article here.

Jesus on the other hand was almost a miracle/doctor of sorts.  Sick people traveled from long distances to see him, in hope that he could cure them or their loved ones.  But Jesus made it clear that it was not him alone doing the healing, but rather the individual's faith. And he was often unable to help someone if they did not believe in it themselves.

"He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith" Mark 6:5-6

Breaking the Grasp of Religious Dogma

Jesus was no friend of the religious leaders of his day.  In Mark 2:22-28 we see the first of instance of Jesus' many feuds with the Pharisees. Jesus’ disciples clearly break a Jewish Sabbath law, by collecting food on the Sabbath.  Much like dogmatic religious leaders today, the Pharisees are quick to call them out.  However Jesus seems to justify it claiming that meeting a need is more important than blindly following a religious doctrine.

The Bible and Church should bring people to faith and understanding, but they should not be limited by them.  It is the individuals job to build of their learning and continue to grow beyond them.

 

Healthy Communities

Jesus makes a case in Mark 3:31-35, that spending time with religiously like-minded people and/or people with healthy lifestyle habits, is more important than even spending time with family.  Explorer, educator and author Dan Buettner has noted that the parts of the world where the people live the longest, healthiest lives, also coincides with a lifestyle that contains a deep spiritual commitment, and that spends time in beneficial influential circles (tribes or friends).  He mentions radical changes like cutting off ties with people who bring you down, and smaller homes to promote togetherness, and spiritual rituals, games and walks.

You can read more about Buettner's studies by clicking here.

Speaking through parables

When Jesus wasn't debating the Pharisees or helping those in need, he was often teaching the people crucial life lessons.  These lessons were about not being materialistic or greedy, living above religious dogma, not doing things that required secrecy, loving one another or just simply being a happy, greatful people.  His most common method of teach was through parables, a brief, succinct story or fable, in prose or verse, that illustrates a moral lesson.  A couple of his more popular parables are the Parable of the Sower Mark 4:1-20 and Parable of the Lamp on a Stand Mark 4:21-25.

I am always fascinated how atheists often attempt to descredit the Bible, because it contains stories that at times seem fantastical.  The ultra-religious do this as well, assuming that if every single story in the Bible is not true, than it is null and void of any value.  I believe quite the opposite.  Whether the stories are true or not is beside the point.  It is what the readers derive from those stories that is invaluable.

Jesus understood this and as a result, taught people in such a way that didn't create a blind following, but provoked deep thought in the pupil.  After all if Spiritual teachings do not prompt a heart felt response then they are useless.