[November 2002 journal entry]
Being radically (i.e., without restriction or discrimination) open to ‘from below’ inquiry and to ‘from below’ consciousness of the depth/breadth of human suffering is essential to a ‘non-religious’ path re spirituality and ethics. Most expressions of Christianity in the United States are located toward the fundamentalist/evangelical end of the spectrum and, therefore, are separate from as well as antagonistic toward these ‘from below’ positions/perspectives. Fundamentalist traditions/groups are sealed/airtight against radical inquiry and radical consciousness of human suffering. Evangelical traditions/groups are closed but not sealed/airtight, careful to stop short of either radical inquiry or radical consciousness of human suffering that would threaten the evangelical theological paradigm. The remaining expressions of Christianity in the United States are located toward the liberal end of the spectrum. Liberal traditions/groups are open optimistically to radical inquiry, but do not strain to be radically conscious of the depth/breadth of human suffering. The authentic expressions of Christianity in the United States I have found re these ‘from below’ perspectives/positions are among the Quakers and among isolated/marginalized individuals within liberal traditions/groups.