“Think for yourself and question authority.”
- Timothy Francis Leary (1920 – 1996)
I constantly find myself in the position of devil’s advocate. It’s an enjoyable habit to take the position of devil’s advocate - almost a hobby of mine. I’m not quite sure when it started, or what initiated this habit. Perhaps it’s because I was born a Gemini (pft!), or maybe it’s because I am a reincarnation of Socrates (unlikely). All I know is that the world would be a better place if everyone asked more questions and were willing to listen to questions.
People who ask questions aren’t generally liked very much. A question is perceived as a threat. If you question your employer’s decisions, you are soon without a job. If you question your government, you’re no longer patriotic. If you question your religion, you’re a heretic. There are very few venues where it’s acceptable to ask questions and challenge ideas. In general, the internet is one of those precious few places where questions are encouraged.
One of the things that I constantly attempt to do on this site is provide you, my readership, an uncommon view of the world we live in. This plays right into the role I cast for myself. It’s in my nature to ask questions. Questions are the answer, for me. Questions are spiritual.
Why do I believe that questions are spiritual? Take a look at every great spiritual teacher that had ever graced this earth. Jesus and Mohamad both questioned the societies in which they lived. The Buddha questioned why anyone had to suffer. Lao Tzu questioned the basic assumptions we makes concerning progress and then was audacious enough to call it “The Way”. Questions are the basis of spiritual understanding. As Jesus said “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:22, KJV). How else would you know the truth if you do not ask for it?
You wonder why I rail against mainstream religion? It isn’t because they are wrong - it’s because they don’t let others find new ways to be right. If you think for yourself and question authority, you’ll find the new and better ways that are yet to be thought of, and through those you shall truly be made free.
So, what do you question? I think I’ve rambled on enough about all the things I question; what is it that you question? I find it so interesting that most people are each too shy to ask their questions. What you have is the anonymity of the internet to question anything. Even if it isn’t a “safe” question to ask, it is safe here, yet you still hesitate. Why?
Top Photo by Alexander Henning Drachmann. Bottom Photo by Aymlis. Originally Published November 17, 2007.
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August 10th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
It is sad, we have been taught as we grow up not to ask questions by the actions and reactions of others. On one hand we are taught that there is no such thing as a stupid question, however we often are chided for the questions we ask which leads to embarresment and withdraw. Even when we are not to be found out, the stigma of socital reactions stifles our natural desire to ask questions.