Above Photo by Señor Codo. Photo Below by Gabriel Agu.
I’ve noticed a tendency among members of liberal religions and other spiritual seekers to discount anger as an emotion that might accompany spiritual experiences. For those who believe that the Divine is perfect love, the idea of spiritual anger, also called righteousness, as being a valid spiritual expression seems misguided at best. However, it is our aversion to anger that is misguided; anger can be spiritual.
The first example that most individuals think of when asked about righteousness is the stereotypical fundamentalist preacher condemning one group of people or another for some minor infraction of biblical law. I would argue that this isn’t righteousness - it is hatred. Unlike legitimate anger which is open to listening to rational arguments, hatred is an extreme form of anger that no longer is bound by reason or conscience. As it is capable of horrible acts of violence and cruelty, rage is rightfully disdained.
Not all anger is hatred, nor can all anger be called righteousness. Anger over a small matter, such as being cut-off in traffic or being given bad service at a restaurant couldn’t be called righteousness with a straight face. So if mundane anger does not qualify was righteousness, what does qualify?
That question goes to the heart of what spirituality is about. Spirituality is nothing less than universal love. Whether we call the subject of that universal love God or something else, that love is the stuff of which spirituality is made. Righteousness, by extension, would be anger tempered by such a love.
What does righteousness look like? It looks like Dr. Martin Luther King speaking on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. It looks like rainbow banners held by men and women marching for GLBT rights. And it looks like a gathering of young people wearing Guy Fawks masks outside of Scientology headquarters. This is righteousness in its most honest form - anger tempered by a love greater than any one individual.
Last week, I added my voice to that of other democrats in my state and voted for Barack Obama for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. While I could name and number the faults I find with Hillary Clinton, I voted the way I did not because I was voting against Senator Clinton. I voted for Obama because I saw in him something that I did not see in her; righteousness. He is angry over what has become of this country in this last decade, and yet his love for what this country has been - and can be again - guides his hand. We should all be so brave as to embody righteousness as he does.
There are dangers in righteousness; if you lose the humility that honest love demands, it becomes self righteousness - pretense to that deep spiritual anger. Yet I do not think that we, as a community, are at any risk to losing our humility. I think we can and should risk more of ourselves by expressing our righteousness more than we do currently. It is a part of our spiritual truth and our responsibility to each other.
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February 19th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
You have to be careful about that line… at least I do. I can trip into self righteousness pretty quickly.
February 19th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
“I’ve noticed a tendency among members of liberal religions and other spiritual seekers to discount anger as an emotion that might accompany spiritual experiences.”
I’ve noticed a tendency among conservatives for anger to accompany their experience of anyone who doesn’t share their beliefs in discussing spiritual matters - a confusion of righteousness with self righteousness. So I think the distinctions and examples you give here are good ones.
February 20th, 2008 at 9:54 am
I’ve been thinking a lot about this post since I read it yesterday. And while it appears that righteousness (or spiritual anger) may, at times, be effective, I’ve come to believe that it is not. For me, anyway.
Perhaps it’s because of my brief encounter with the martial arts, or my studies of the world religions, or (gods all help us) watching / reading The Secret, or maybe just having lived as many years as I’ve lived and noticed what works and what doesn’t… but I think it’s better to be for something than against something. I’m for equality for all sentient beings, not against racism, sexism, homophobia, classism, ageism or any other ism.
Maybe righteousness works for some people. It seemed to work for Dr. King. But anger takes too much energy, and I don’t have it to spare. Love and compassion are invigorating and uplifting, so that’s where I’m going to have to stand.
Just my two cents’ worth. And it’s so not where I was 30 year ago!
Remind me in another 30 years to address this topic again.
February 20th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Hi John,
A great post.
Anger is one of god’s good gifts - when expressed well. It lets us know something important to us is going on and it is the anger to destructure and reject - both necessary (especially to creativity).
Anger is part of the bigger picture - creation of beauty, health and loving relationships. All these mean being able to focus on what we want to do and reject what doesn’t serve. Anger is an important part of the spiritual life I think.
February 25th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Hello Jacqueline,
The tea-totaler thinks he is drunk off of a sip, but an occasional drinker knows better. In the same way, if you avoid anger all together, you will be less likely to be able to control it when you need it the most. Does that make sense?
Hello Paul,
Welcome to the Pageless Book. I honestly have nothing to add to what you have said. Thank you for your comment.
Hello Kelly,
It isn’t about being against something or for something else; it’s about the truth within an emotion, and allowing that truth to shine. That is why it worked for MLK - he allowed the truth of his emotions do all the talking.
Hello Evan,
I agree. If it wasn’t for anger, do you think Jesus would have over turned the money changing tables? And then there’s that line within the sermon on the mount about bringing the sword instead of peace. I think he knew that anger had a powerful part to play in spiritual experience.
As always, Namaste to you all.