|
Word Gems
exploring self-realization, sacred personhood, and full humanity
In contract law, agreements are unenforceable if
entered into with "lack of capacity." This speaks
to an absence of a "meeting of the minds," an
inability to cogently negotiate agreements. In the
unenlightened state, almost everything a person
does or thinks constitutes "lack of capacity" -
those who live in the dark can't see anything.
return to the main-page article on "Clear-Thinking"
In the New Testament, we find Jesus offering an "insanity defense" for the spiritually blinded. He said they're not truly culpable for their misdeeds as "they know not what they do."
Those who value personal responsibility will decry victimhood in any form and might balk at Jesus' statement, which could be interpreted as an abrogation of justice, a too-lenient pardoning.
Personal responsibility is a very important principle and Summerland society is built around it; however, this precept must be properly applied. It remains a fact that "lack of capacity" constitutes a well respected doctrine of Western civilization, going back many hundreds of years as English Common Law and even thousands of years as many examples of "lack of capacity" could be summoned from Greek and Roman jurisprudence. To speak plainly, we don't prosecute little children and the mentally infirm for doing bad things; we consider them incapable of rational judgment.
they know not what they do
Many of us don't like "insanity defenses" because we fancy ourselves in charge, in control, able to make our way. On a certain level of being, such sentiment makes for "good law"; on another, it does not: those who live in the dark can't see anything.
If our lives are run by the Small Ego, if we filter all that we see and think through its fears and terrors, we'll get everything wrong. It's "lack of capacity" in terms of an ability to negotiate one's spiritual development and eternal destiny; of this Jesus spoke.
The concept of "sin" as taught by Big Religion - with its judgment, hell-fire, and angry God - has no basis in reality; but if we begin to view "sin" in terms of spiritual insanity, we come closer to the truth.
|