For if the Universe is Animated, it is best understood in terms of human life.A response to an Idea from Polytheism

Today I was reading Ancient Egyptian Religion Interpretation by Henri Frankfort. In the first chapter titled The Egyptian Gods within the subchapter The Immanence of the Gods and the Limitations of Egyptian Religiosity reads the quote “If the universe is animated, it is best understood in terms of human life.” This perspective suggests that the universe itself has a consciousness or force that is similar to that of human consciousness. This implies that the universe is not just a collection of lifeless matter, but a living and dynamic entity. But what is this entity? Is it God? Or Gods perhaps? This idea has deep implications for our understanding of the world and our place in it.

Religion plays a significant role in this perspective. I am the son of a Bishop.  As a child I was given or called to study and preach in the house of the lord. I believe I have an understanding of the “word” of God that not many other individuals have. That understanding is, that there is no right or wrong religion. They’re all right, they’re all wrong and they’re all for us. Many religious traditions teach us that the universe is imbued with a divine presence or spirit. For example, in Hinduism, the concept of Brahman is the ultimate reality that permeates the entire universe and all living beings. In some interpretations of Christianity, God is believed to be present in all creation and is intimately involved in the workings of the universe. An example is when God shows himself (or passed by) to Elijah (I Kings 19: 11-12): 

11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

Here the Christian God or Jah-weh is a present entity but not in any natural phenomenon. In the Egyptian religion, Egyptian God Amon-Re (The hidden one) the supreme universal God, who is said to enter “trees and they come animated, with branches waving… One hears his voice but he is not seen while he lets all throats breathe.” Amon-Re, universal and mystic as he/it seems, like other Egyptian gods who were/are captives to their spheres of manifestation were immanent in nature. Tefnut the goddess of water, Shu the god of the air, and Hathor the goddess of the sky can also be seen depicted as a cow. These beliefs align closely with the idea of an animated universe (in the form of gods, and goddesses manifested as deities and or animals) where the universe is seen as possessing a consciousness or divine presence akin to human life.

Furthermore, religions often provide us with frameworks for understanding the purpose and meaning of human life within the context of the universe. For me, religions offer ways to make sense of the complexities of the world we live in today. Religions offer guidance on how to live in harmony with the universe and the divine. These narratives and belief systems serve to provide us with a sense of purpose, direction, and meaning in our lives. They offer comfort and hope in the face of adversity and suffering, as well as a source of community and belonging. I think this perspective can help people to feel a sense of connection and belonging within the universe, leading to a more holistic and reverent approach to life.

In conclusion, viewing the universe as “animated and best understood in terms of human life” brings new depth and meaning to my understanding of the world. All Religions (even the old ones) play a vital role in shaping this perspective, offering a framework for understanding the divine presence within the universe and our place within it. When the universe is seen, not as dead matter, but as suffused with life, man’s own existence-with the critical phases of birth, procreation, and death imparts significance to the cosmic (universe/universal) phenomena. The life of man, as an individual and even more as a member of society, is integrated with the life of nature. Hence, if the universe is animated, it is best understood in terms of human life.

Courtesy, PROFESSIONALISM, Respect

On November 14, 2019, my colleague, Jazmin Torres, and I shielded two young boys from aggressive police actions. While the boys were playing at a street corner during school dismissal and accidentally tipped over a trashcan, three NYPD officers leapt from their vehicle, hands poised near their holsters, and charged in our direction. Separating the boys, I noticed the officers dash across the street; Ms. Torres placed herself between them, the boys, and me. The officers bombarded her with intimidatory queries such as, "What are you?" "Who are you?" "Where do you come from?"—an implicit gauge of how much disrespect they could exert without consequence. Upon discerning her Mexican heritage, the officers crudely instructed her to keep silent as I was, attempting to overshadow her with their authority.

My own silence was born out of deep-seated fear for my life and the wellbeing of the boys, eleven and twelve years old. The nightmare scenario I envisioned was one where I was handcuffed before all my students. Wearing a hat and hooded sweater, I stood amidst and accountable for the safety of numerous middle and high schoolers. As the officers turned increasingly loud, it was imperative that I remain composed.

Jazmin's lighter complexion became an inadvertent shield, providing a distraction that allowed the boys to evade unnoticed. Thwarted from reaching our students, the officers forcibly infiltrated our school, where their conduct escalated in hostility and discriminatory remarks. Subsequently, our school placed the blame on us for the day's upheaval.

The next day, police officers patrolled all four corners of our campus, representing a second front of intimidation. A clear contradiction became evident as their behavior was at odds with the NYPD's professed values prominently displayed on their vehicles. Motivated by these disturbing incidents, I felt compelled to express the need for courtesy, professionalism, and respect in a piece I authored, ensuring that our experiences and voices would resonate and incite change.