Lay Theism

I really like SOF (Speaking of Faith) on NPR Sunday mornings (yes, really). Krista Tippett has the good fortune to interview the most interesting people, and today it was Kate Braestrup. She serves as chaplain to the Maine Game Warden Service to support and comfort those that experience loss or tragedy in the Maine wilderness. A Unitarian Universalist minister, she is called upon to support search-and-rescue missions when children disappear in the woods or when snowmobilers disappear under the ice. I like her theology, which she says has become simpler over the years. She sums up her theology as “God is Love”. I am just a small baby step beyond her in that I refuse to include “God” in the whole idea of love. The way she presents her beliefs reduces to a semantic argument that certainly doesn’t require God to remain a wonderful idea.

The show’s producer, Colleen Scheck, makes an excellent point that has nothing whatsoever to do with theology, faith, or spirituality:

I love this week’s program with Kate Braestrup, chaplain to the game warden service in Maine. Simply, her practical theology just makes sense to me — a daily translation of spirituality into caring, useful, deliberate action.

Although, I am not as commited as the full-time chaplain, my wife and I spend most of our free time in the mode of caring, useful, deliberate action. Certainly, Kate, of all people, sees enough random tragedy that much of it makes little sense (if any). What impresses her is the “miracle” of people wanting to help. Every time there is tragedy, people appear to assist in any way they can… out of love for their fellow man. She indicated this to be the essence of love (and God) that she feels to be so profound. I agree… except (once again), this has nothing to do with God. I may be oversimplifying her point-of-view, but not much.

Why is it that people insist on a divine explanation for compassion, beauty, love, weather, etc.? We can all save ourselves a giant leap of faith by embracing life as it is, without the spooky magic and mysticism. The framework of theology simply is not required… in fact, it adds an inordinate amount of unnecessary noise to the process.

Although, would she be as revered if she were an atheist/agnostic psychologist serving the exact same role?