I begin with an illustration. In Christian Scripture there is an account of a man called Simon Magus. Simon the Great. For reference, this is in the Book of Acts, Chapter 8, verses 9 to 24. Simon is identified as a magician or sorcerer, popular among people in Samaria. He himself is impressed with the work he sees from a man named Philip, in the new sect of followers of Jesus. Philip is an early leader and in the name of Jesus is healing people of infirmities. Simon would like access to the power he sees in this work. It looks to be akin to his power.
He joins this new group of the religious. But instead of becoming a leader in the movement, he wants the power for himself. He offers to buy it. Perhaps he can monetize it to become even greater than he already is. As a sorcerer he already is able to fool some of the people some of the time. Why not fool all of the people all of the time?
Philip and others in leadership rebuke him, saying what they have is not for sale. They say to him that he has the “gall of bitterness” and is bound by “chains of wickedness.” The episode ends with Simon the Great protesting their words of condemnation.
There is perhaps something of Jewish-Samaritan tension in this narrative from its biblical time, but let us not get sidetracked on that. Also of note, the story is the origin of the word “simony,” the buying or selling of a churchly office or preference.
This illustration is ready-made for metaphor or a political cartoon in secular affairs — of anyone claiming to be a Simon Magus in a quest for power. The person may cloak himself in religious garb when it suits him, or allow his followers to do so. Perhaps the current one who dominates our media is a Magus. One considered great by his followers, one who buys or trades what he wants to monetize it for his aggrandizement.
The text of the story also draws the reader’s attention to the religious spirit that Philip and his contemporaries represent. This religious spirit is centering in its effect. The spirit grounds a person’s perception, sees deceit where it is, works for the good of people in their health and well-being, and cares for the poor.
I feel sophomoric writing an essay that from an earlier time would seem obvious. But this is not that earlier time, characterized by a classic liberal tradition. I acknowledge I am out of my time.
Any sound religious belief system has its centering perspective. It counters falsehoods that divide and disrupt society generally — to be specific with one example, ideology, as distinguished from ideology from a religious perspective.
An ideology is a closed system of thought requiring absolute allegiance. It can be from the left politically or the right politically. In current fraught discussions about diversity and inclusion, the left has an ideology defining American history from a particular point of view that requires loyalty to that narrative and agenda. The same can be said from the right with its narrative, which excludes even the possibility of discussing matters of identity and history in their complexities. Christian nationalism is a political ideology of the right.
A religious perspective of the spirit frees an individual from ideology. Any ideology. That could include religion itself when it is closed, requiring unquestioning obedience. A healthy religious perspective includes grounding in a religious text, an appreciation of its traditions and teaching, and, based on both of those, the ability of individuals to think for themselves to work out their understanding of faith and ethics.
The religious perspective may be conservative or liberal. It allows differing points of view. There is dialogue across lines, not hitting each other over the head with an ideology — or for that matter with religious absolutism. There is the ability to call out hypocrisy and deceit in public and in religious life, because the center of one’s life is spiritually grounded. We are also free from a nihilism that says there is no meaning at all.
Anyone who seeks a religious spirit grounded in a tradition, or one freer in liturgical expression, open to a person’s desire to grow and live responsibly, can look into any of the faith communities in our town.
Meanwhile, be not misled by any Simon Magus or acolyte with millions of likes. Better to know you are loved, and bidden to love, which is a common denominator of all responsible faith traditions.
The Rev. Robert Stuart is pastor emeritus of the Amagansett Presbyterian Church. He lives in Springs.