OCR Text |
Show Sf/ they had transcended any need for the fundamental precepts of Christianity, such as 'Judge not, that ye be not judged.' If a boy was cuaght smoking or a wife in adultery, the entire neighborhood was leaked the news from the bishop's office and soon that person was o s t r a c i z e d . And yet, these people didn't seem to fear the same hypocrisy with which they accused others, for they held the mark of being 'God's Chosen* - and the s t i f f necks to go with i t . It was an a t t i t u d e more than a belief, an unconsciously-held s u p e r i o r i t y complex that develops among many in r e l i g i o u s l y - c e n t e r e d cultures. It is the same kind of mental aspect that leads people to believe that because they read about Einstein they will be able to think l i k e him. "We are so blessed to be among the S a i n t s , " was a commonly-proferred testimonial. Invariably i t was said with a sanctimoniously-lifted chin, a flush of v i c t o r y and an eye cast proudly over the congregation. My father had always affirmed that we were brighter, healthier, more a t t r a c t i v e than the average human being. And because we had been born into a household of s p i r i t u a l royalty - 'among the noblest souls on the face of the earth' - we were also more gifted, more aware, more useful to the world and to God. I had believed him for a time - even yet longed to believe him. But my readings and my experiences at the university and with teaching had reduced my egotism about my noble bloodline to a shriveled node. I/could see that we, of my family.- were different. I longed to concede that we were b e t t e r , but I could not see beyond my own f a l l e n s t a t e . I was a bug, a naive Pollyanna, a fallen angel, a fool. |