"What came back to me then was the sign that used to be in the window of the Downyflake Doughnut, at the Sunnyside Amusement Park, in - what was it? - the summer of 1935:
'As you ramble on through life, Brother,
Whatever be your goal,
Keep your eye upon the doughnut,
And not upon the hole'
"A paradox, the doughnut hole. Empty space, once, but now they've learned to market even that. A minus quantity; nothing, rendered edible. I wonder if they might be used - metaphorically, of course - to demonstrate the existence of God. Does naming a sphere of nothingness transmute into being?"
--from The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
It's scary to think of it, but probably necessary. I wonder what we've done, regarding God. I don't believe we've "named a sphere of nothingness" because God exists in a very real way, but we sure have done some renaming. Somehow in our very human (and immature) drive for superiority - to be the best! - we've managed to make God a commodity, selling our ideas to any takers, hopefully the ones with the most influence.
Too harsh for a Friday morning?
In sincerity, lets go back to the happiness of doughnut holes and morning coffee, then. This post is merely meant to provoke thoughts, not anger.
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Friday, July 17, 2009
Musings on God and Doughnuts
"What came back to me then was the sign that used to be in the window of the Downyflake Doughnut, at the Sunnyside Amusement Park, in - what was it? - the summer of 1935:
'As you ramble on through life, Brother,
Whatever be your goal,
Keep your eye upon the doughnut,
And not upon the hole'
"A paradox, the doughnut hole. Empty space, once, but now they've learned to market even that. A minus quantity; nothing, rendered edible. I wonder if they might be used - metaphorically, of course - to demonstrate the existence of God. Does naming a sphere of nothingness transmute into being?"
--from The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
It's scary to think of it, but probably necessary. I wonder what we've done, regarding God. I don't believe we've "named a sphere of nothingness" because God exists in a very real way, but we sure have done some renaming. Somehow in our very human (and immature) drive for superiority - to be the best! - we've managed to make God a commodity, selling our ideas to any takers, hopefully the ones with the most influence.
Too harsh for a Friday morning?
In sincerity, lets go back to the happiness of doughnut holes and morning coffee, then. This post is merely meant to provoke thoughts, not anger.
'As you ramble on through life, Brother,
Whatever be your goal,
Keep your eye upon the doughnut,
And not upon the hole'
"A paradox, the doughnut hole. Empty space, once, but now they've learned to market even that. A minus quantity; nothing, rendered edible. I wonder if they might be used - metaphorically, of course - to demonstrate the existence of God. Does naming a sphere of nothingness transmute into being?"
--from The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
It's scary to think of it, but probably necessary. I wonder what we've done, regarding God. I don't believe we've "named a sphere of nothingness" because God exists in a very real way, but we sure have done some renaming. Somehow in our very human (and immature) drive for superiority - to be the best! - we've managed to make God a commodity, selling our ideas to any takers, hopefully the ones with the most influence.
Too harsh for a Friday morning?
In sincerity, lets go back to the happiness of doughnut holes and morning coffee, then. This post is merely meant to provoke thoughts, not anger.
7 comments:
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Little Nut Tree said...
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First, I love your blog!
Second, I really disliked the Blind Assassin when I read it (nothing to do with the quote though).
Third - and I have no idea if this is where you were going, but it's what came to mind - I do dislike how everything about Christianity has to be so commercialised now. (Can't speak for any religion but my own, o'course). Like the other day, when I came across a book called thank God for evolution. I thought "great!" But when I googled it there was a website and it was all about how great the author is and how this book will change your life etc. Blech. I think that is an extension of what we've done to God. It's all about us now. -
July 17, 2009 at 7:20 AM
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Debbie said...
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I love a good thought-provoking post. And you always provide one!
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July 17, 2009 at 9:46 AM
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Amy said...
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I am going to stick with the doughnut holes and milk. Have a great weekend.
I loved your post and your thoughts. -
July 17, 2009 at 1:59 PM
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Christine said...
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I like this quote and this post. Maybe this is a good God metaphor. I mean, who doesn't like fried dough? While some may prefer Krispy Kreme to Dunkin' Donuts, I'm yet to hear of a gunfight over this particular difference of opinion.
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July 18, 2009 at 3:53 PM
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Anonymous said...
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Makes me think....
Happy SITS day! -
July 22, 2009 at 7:31 AM
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Anonymous said...
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You're my new favorite blog. God, like donuts, comes in many different forms, depending on who's making the donuts. (some even without holes)
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July 22, 2009 at 9:06 AM
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Kimberly said...
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Oooohhh, nice. I like this. Though I am not a follower of God, in the sort of going to church, having a religion, etc. etc. I think what people have embarked themselves upon is the theory of an individual who fills the hole in our lives and gives us an excuse to hide in, swim in. They've made God someone who we must idolize, like those we see on t.v. Or use God as an excuse to sin, or to not sin instead of finding the power of self worth, they use religion like a shield or a sword for that matter.
I think that no matter how, as individuals we see it, we need to find in ourselves the strength and the power we give an invisible being. We need to find deep inside the folds of our own mysteries as people, our own thoughts, our own feelings, instead of justifying them all or holding them all up to someone or something that may or may not exist. -
July 22, 2009 at 12:49 PM
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7 comments:
First, I love your blog!
Second, I really disliked the Blind Assassin when I read it (nothing to do with the quote though).
Third - and I have no idea if this is where you were going, but it's what came to mind - I do dislike how everything about Christianity has to be so commercialised now. (Can't speak for any religion but my own, o'course). Like the other day, when I came across a book called thank God for evolution. I thought "great!" But when I googled it there was a website and it was all about how great the author is and how this book will change your life etc. Blech. I think that is an extension of what we've done to God. It's all about us now.
I love a good thought-provoking post. And you always provide one!
I am going to stick with the doughnut holes and milk. Have a great weekend.
I loved your post and your thoughts.
I like this quote and this post. Maybe this is a good God metaphor. I mean, who doesn't like fried dough? While some may prefer Krispy Kreme to Dunkin' Donuts, I'm yet to hear of a gunfight over this particular difference of opinion.
Makes me think....
Happy SITS day!
You're my new favorite blog. God, like donuts, comes in many different forms, depending on who's making the donuts. (some even without holes)
Oooohhh, nice. I like this. Though I am not a follower of God, in the sort of going to church, having a religion, etc. etc. I think what people have embarked themselves upon is the theory of an individual who fills the hole in our lives and gives us an excuse to hide in, swim in. They've made God someone who we must idolize, like those we see on t.v. Or use God as an excuse to sin, or to not sin instead of finding the power of self worth, they use religion like a shield or a sword for that matter.
I think that no matter how, as individuals we see it, we need to find in ourselves the strength and the power we give an invisible being. We need to find deep inside the folds of our own mysteries as people, our own thoughts, our own feelings, instead of justifying them all or holding them all up to someone or something that may or may not exist.
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