ENTERING MORDOR by Carol Wolman, MD
Dr. Wolman is a psychiatrist and lifelong peace activist.
Myths are powerful shapers of the way we understand reality. They are stories which resonate with our deepest understanding of life. They contain lessons which help us through hard times, and guide our actions.
The "evangelicals" who form Bush's political base believe in a myth that has been laid out by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins in their LEFT BEHIND series, a set of sci-fi novels that claim to be based on Bible prophecy. This immensely popular series has convinced a hard core, estimated at 20 million voters, that Bush is a harbinger of the return of Jesus, and that the wanton destruction wreaked by Bush policies is ordained by God as a precursor to Armageddon. The result is a suicidal cult, similar to Jonestown, but affecting us all. These people believe that the rest of us are doomed to perish painfully during the tribulation or the final battle.
Another popular myth of our day, the Tolkien trilogy, LORD OF THE RINGS, is much closer in spirit to the Bible than is the LEFT BEHIND series. Jesus lived in a time of growing oppression by the corrupt Roman emperors. Frodo was opposing the expansion of the evil empire of Mordor, run by Sauron, represented by a far-seeing Eye. The Ring which Frodo carries is like the cross which Jesus tells us to bear, in following Him. The virtues of Frodo which enable him to fulfill his task are Christian virtues- faithfulness, humility, compassion, willingness to serve and sacrifice.
And what is the ring, or cross? It is the karmic task we each are given, to work for good and against evil, by using the talents that God gave us. It is the ability to know the difference between good and evil, the clarity to put what we know into words, and the courage to face the consequences. This task gives us power, and will eventually bring us into conflict with the authorities. We may need to be secretive for a while, in order to complete our job without being discovered. Eventually, though, we have to proclaim the truth and accept whatever sacrifice results.
When we become visible, we become vulnerable to retaliation from the powers-that-be. The Eye notices us, and sends out the Nazgul. Whistleblowers are very aware of these fearsome creatures. They can take the form of an IRS agent, an FBI agent, a representative of a licensing board, or some other person seeking to harm us.
America, under Bush, is coming more and more to resemble Mordor, a militarized wasteland run by people who resemble orcs, with their lack of scruples and lack of compassion. We hobbits, who just want happy peaceful lives, are being forced to fight for our freedom and our rights. Our fight for peace is a spiritual Armageddon.
As the Patriot and Homeland Security Acts roll through Congress, the scrutiny of our private lives intensifies, and opposing the current regime grows more dangerous. As our opposition intensifies, we become more fearful of retaliation.
The recent murder of Gary Webb, a reporter who exposed the connection between the Bush-dominated CIA and drug trafficking, sends us a chilling reminder that Sauron in the White House will stop at nothing to shut us up, if we become too threatening to his power. Gary Webb is the fourth journalist investigating the dirty dealings of the Bush cartel to die under mysterious circumstances- two gunshot wounds to the face, labelled "suicide" by the co-opted police.
We also face the danger of being labelled "crazy", "paranoid", of being mocked and scorned. Jesus had to deal with similar labels.
Like Frodo and Jesus, we have many companions who help us to fulfill the task we are given. At some point, though, we have to strike out on our own lonely path, and brave the dangers with only one companion. Some of us are blessed with a human companion, a faithful partner. If not, we always have Jesus, who carried His cross before us, to show us the way.
We all have our Gollums, inner demons who torment us. By keeping steadfast in love and compassion, we can integrate and accept these neuroses, faults, sins. They will save us in the end, as Gollum saved Frodo from allowing his egotism to overwhelm him.
We will have to sacrifice. Frodo sacrificed a finger, Jesus gave His life. We won't know what we will have to give up until the time comes. The main thing is to be willing, and have faith.
Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
Psalm 30: 5
In the name of the Prince of Peace, Carol Wolman, MD
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