Have you ever uncovered something that you could not wait to share with the world? To think about how amazing it would feel to introduce something that was sure to make a positive, lasting impression with those it was shared with. To feel like maybe, just maybe, you have found something that will resonate and make an impact. That’s how I felt when I came across Dr. Bob Moorehead’s, Paradox of Our Age while conducting research for my book.
Trust me when I tell you that the Paradox of Our Age is worth the read and the thoughts you will inevitably ponder. The piece has been widely circulated since it appeared in Words Aptly Spoken, Dr. Moorehead’s collection of prayers, homilies and monologues, in 1995. The essay even evokes memories of George Carlin, the Dalai Lama and an unnamed student who witnessed the killings at Littleton in the aftermath of the 1999 Columbine shootings – all of whom were believed to be the author of this meaningful work of art.
Here is the Paradox of Our Age in its entirety as written by Dr. Bob Moorehead:
"The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgement, more experts, more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships.
These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...
Remember, to spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who look sup to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent. Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person might not be there again. Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind."
This post is not about the Paradox of Our Age. Instead, it is about the moral dilemma I have struggled with since stumbling upon it more than a week ago.
A moral is a person’s standards of behavior or beliefs concerning what is and what is not acceptable while a dilemma is a situation in which a difficult choice has to be made.
The Paradox of Our Age, on its own, is intriguing. It’s beautifully written and it very well could be considered a moral compass, but when considering the essay one must also consider the author, Dr. Bob Moorehead. Dr. Moorehead holds a Ph.D. from the California School of Theology, an undergraduate degree from Phillips University and a Bachelor of Divinity degree from The Graduate Seminary. Dr. Moorehead also served as the pastor of Overlake Christian Church, a mega church to more than 6,500, in Redmond, WA for 29 years.
If that is all you knew about Dr. Moorehead, you may conclude that he is a highly educated, highly esteemed man of God and of the people. And with credentials like that, how could you not? What you may not know is that Dr. Moorehead resigned from his post as the leader of Overlake Christian Church on June 15, 1998 after allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced.
While no criminal charges have been filed and the statute of limitations has expired, a committee of six Eastside pastors, three Overlake elders and an Overlake associate pastor concluded in 1999 that Dr. Moorehead inappropriately touched a number of men.
Insert moral dilemma here.
How can I in good faith, exalt an essay (and a man) and publish a post under my name while knowing that the author was accused of molesting 17 men during baptisms and wedding ceremonies in the 1970’s without bringing attention to and questioning the character of the man who wrote the essay?
For more than a week I wrangled with the idea of posting the Paradox of Our Age without mentioning the author's transgressions, which would have been the easy way out, yet torn me apart and not posting it at all because of those transgressions, which certainly would have been a form of resignation on my part. On one hand there is this amazing piece of work that I want to share with the world while on the other it was written by a man who has committed something incredibly heinous.
Once again, the adage, ‘You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover’ holds true. Maybe the next time we are quick to honor or reject someone or something we will remember that it is important that we try not to form an opinion on someone or something based purely on what we see on the surface, because if we take a deeper look, the person or thing will not be what we expected it to be.
Isn’t it ironic that a man known for writing one of the most influential essays of the 20th century, known as the Paradox of Our Age, has become a paradox himself?
Who knows, maybe there's even more to this book...
5 Comments
Maheen
1/13/2015 10:19:06 pm
Its an amazing poem.... I really appreciate it.... it conveys clear message about what people have and do, what they have lost and do not do.
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Rob Ross
5/30/2015 03:26:06 am
- The paradox is simple all humans strugle with the desires of the flesh and of the spirit. Those who feed the spirit are not perfect yet are far less apt to perpetrate these heinous crimes. Again, God has clearly shown this very aspect of the human condition in His word. This is why we should not exalt a man but rather exalt the one that can save us - God! For clearly we can not save ourselves from this very clearly shown paradox!
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Daniel E Dunlap
3/28/2016 03:20:07 pm
A poignant essay the content of which has been in many of our minds and hearts for several years. No disrespect intended, but one need not have a doctorate to have written it and the fact that the author was an alleged, morally bankrupt, hypocrite does not take anything away from his perspective. Sadly, in my opinion, it misdirects our attention as so much of the media does. It envelops our mind with the image that we are going to hell in an express elevator. It also exemplifies a sort of mass hypnosis. My gosh, all of us get swept up in the frenetic pace that life seems to offer us. It is very much like a hypnotic trance from which so many cannot extricate themselves enough to even imagine alternate awarenesses. Indeed, alternate awarenesses that come to mind probably seem pretty boring. I still consider George Carlin as an incredibly insightful, if not brilliant and painfully honest, comedian. I will certainly offend some by saying that after 13 years of a parochial education, my conception of "god" is that the image of this infinite being is a creation of men. It is arrogance for any human to imagine what an infinite being would expect and to propose so many paradoxes as to the true nature of this being. All of which is cemented by guilt and fear of hell and eternal torment. I will close by offering a couple of my favorite paradoxes: "If you do not want someone to do something, don't forbid it." R.D. Laing. "He who is not forbidden to sin, sins less." Ovid. And finally, speak only if you can improve the silence. Buddha
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