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The Earthly Paradise: Beyond Punishment, the Evolution of Being

"Let us imagine for a moment, stripping away the layers of dogma and tradition, that the story of the Garden of Eden was not the chronicle of a cosmic transgression that left us with an indelible stain of guilt. Perhaps, like a whisper emerging from the depths of our collective consciousness, the expulsion was not a punishment, but the inevitable and necessary abandonment of a spiritual childhood."

What if original sin was actually a step toward freedom? Was the Original Sin described in Genesis an act of disobedience to God?

Let's imagine for a moment that Adam and Eve were not banished for an act of rebellion, but rather driven by the human spirit's inherent thirst to explore, to grow, to transcend the instinctive comfort of innocence. Their "sin" was not disobedience, but the first manifestation of the will to be more, to venture down the arduous but infinitely rich path of self-awareness and evolution.

If so, then we are not heirs to an ancestral guilt, but travelers on a path of spiritual evolution, guided by examples of love and dedication, even those who gave their lives for an understanding that was perhaps a stepping stone to a broader truth. Their sacrifice was not in vain, but a powerful lesson about the authenticity of faith and the courage of the human spirit in its relentless search for meaning.


MY ENCOUNTER WITH HAROLD KUSHNER

A few years ago while in New York, I had the opportunity to meet Harold S. Kushner, a prominent American rabbi and author who was a member of the Rabbinical Assembly of Conservative Judaism and who served as congregational rabbi of Temple Israel of Natick, in Natick.

The experience I describe is truly significant because not only did I have the opportunity to listen to a prominent figure in Conservative Judaism, but his speech impacted me in such a way that it led me to question my own beliefs about Genesis and Original Sin.

This encounter, which surely transcended the anecdotal, prompted me to seek answers in Kushner's work, "How Good Do We Have to Be?" So, I bought it at my favorite bookstore,

Barnes & Noble, which marked the beginning of a personal quest that accompanied me on my flight back to Mexico City.

It's interesting how a chance encounter can awaken deep concerns and motivate us to explore new perspectives. In my case, Kushner's influence led me to rethink the traditional notion of Paradise Lost, opening me to the possibility of a "Paradise Gained" through the knowledge and acceptance of our own imperfection.

These kinds of experiences, which shake us and invite us to question our beliefs, are fundamental to personal growth. Dialogue with thinkers like Kushner, who propose alternative interpretations of traditional religious narratives, enriches our understanding of the world and helps us forge our own path toward spirituality.

My story reflects the importance of keeping an open mind and seeking knowledge beyond the boundaries of our own beliefs. The search for truth is a continuous journey nourished by encounters, readings, and reflections that, as in my case, can transform our worldview.


BACK TO MEXICO CITY

The return trip to Mexico City became an introspective journey thanks to reading "How Good Do We Have to Be?" High above, as I flew over the landscape, Kushner's words plunged me into a profound reflection on guilt, imperfection, and self-acceptance.


This book, which I call exceptional, gave me a new framework for understanding the human condition. Kushner, with his gentle and wise style, revealed a fundamental truth to me: life is a complex tapestry of successes and failures, and our imperfection does not exclude us from divine love.

Reading allowed me to put into perspective the feelings of guilt and inadequacy that often torment us. I understood that making mistakes is an inherent part of being human, and that the pursuit of perfection can become an unbearable burden.

Kushner, with his liberating message, invites us to embrace our own humanity with all its contradictions. He shows us that self-acceptance is the first step toward building healthier relationships with ourselves and others.

Furthermore, the book helps us rethink our relationship with divinity and that God is not a harsh judge who punishes us for our mistakes, but an inexhaustible source of love and compassion who accompanies us on our journey.

Reading " How Good Do We Have to Be?" during that flight was a transformative experience that allowed me to free myself from the weight of guilt and embrace the beauty of imperfection. Kushner's teachings reminded me that we are all loved unconditionally, and that our worth as a person is not dependent on successes or failures.


IF THERE WAS NO ORIGINAL SIN, WHAT IS THE REASON FOR A REDEEMER?

Let us remember that Judaism, Christianity, and Catholicism share the same book and, to a large extent, the same belief: I am referring to the Old Testament.

Kushner's take on the story of Adam and Eve challenged my Catholic beliefs and left me deeply confused. His interpretation redefines the act of eating from the Tree of Knowledge as a step toward humanization, not as a sign of disobedience. This new perspective challenges the traditional notion of Original Sin, a fundamental pillar of Catholic theology.

If, as Kushner argues, there was no original sin, then what is the role of the Redeemer in both traditions, both the Jewish, which still awaits his arrival, and the Christian, which recognizes him in Jesus?

In this context, the arrival of the Messiah is not presented as a cure for a congenital illness of guilt, but as a loving guide on this journey. His life, his teachings, and his own sacrifice are not the atonement for a nonexistent debt, but rather the illumination of the path toward a more fulfilling and spiritually conscious existence. He shows us, with the eloquence of his unconditional love, how to live with purpose, how to embrace compassion, and how to find connection with the transcendent amidst the complexities of human life.

And the martyrs , those who gave their lives for a belief that perhaps didn't hold true to the literal meaning of original sin, are not victims of an illusion. Their sacrifice is transformed into a powerful testimony to the human capacity for self-sacrifice, to the profound need to find meaning, and to the courage to live and die for what the heart holds true. Their faith, though framed within a particular understanding, reflects the human spirit's eternal search for truth and transcendence.

Their courage lies not in the infallibility of their theology, but in the authenticity of their commitment . They remind us that faith , in its purest essence, is not about blind adherence to dogma, but about a profound connection with the values that give meaning to existence: love, justice, compassion . Their sacrifice then becomes a beacon that illuminates the path of integrity, inspiring us to live with the same passion and conviction, seeking our own truth in the labyrinth of existence.


Kushner, drawing on diverse disciplines such as literature, psychology, and theology, as well as his extensive experience as a rabbi, delves into the transformative power of acceptance and forgiveness. These two pillars, he argues, are essential for improving our interpersonal relationships and for facing the challenges inherent to the human condition.

It's fascinating to observe the parallels between physical evolution, explained by Darwin, and spiritual evolution, represented in the Genesis account. Just as the theory of evolution describes the process of human transformation from a primitive state to civilization, the story of the Earthly Paradise symbolizes the spiritual evolution of humanity.

" The Theory of Evolution" by Charles Darwin is the explanation of the physical evolution of man, passing from a savage state to a more civilized one.
"The Story of the Earthly Paradise" of Genesis , is the explanation of the spiritual evolution of man.

THE CHILDHOOD OF HUMANITY

Genesis is not limited to a religious narrative but becomes an allegory of the awakening of human consciousness. Eating from the Tree of Knowledge represents the acquisition of the ability to discern between good and evil, a crucial step on the path to "likeness to God."

However, this new knowledge brings with it a challenge: learning to balance the opposing forces that govern our actions. Adam and Eve, when the scales "fell from their eyes," confront the moral complexity of the world, a world where intentions and actions do not always coincide.

This duality is reflected in our very existence. As human beings, we constantly move between good and evil, oscillating between nobility and pettiness. Our great challenge is to find a point of balance, to harmonize our actions with our values.

And this is where integrity comes into play. Integrity, understood as the coherence between what we think, say, and do, becomes our moral compass, guiding us in resolving the ethical dilemmas we face daily. Integrity allows us to transcend simple obedience to external norms and build an authentic morality based on conscience and responsibility.

To understand the complex web of our existence, it is crucial to distinguish between the Natural State and Natural Law .


The Natural State refers to humanity's primordial condition, a state of innocence and immediacy where civilization has yet to spread its wings. It is humanity's "infancy," where our hominid ancestors, such as Australopithecus, took their first steps in the development of intelligence and morality.


Natural Law , on the other hand, is the driving force that guides us toward civilization. It is a law intrinsic to our nature, a code inscribed in our DNA that compels us to seek progress and continuous improvement. It is not a set of rules imposed from outside, but an innate tendency toward perfection, both intellectual and moral.

Hominids, in their long evolutionary journey, began developing their intelligence through experience and error. This gradual learning process laid the foundation for later moral development. That is, the ability to reason and understand the world preceded the ability to discern between good and evil.



Human beings, as a "perfectible" species, are destined to transcend their natural state. We cannot remain indefinitely in childhood, in a state of simplicity and immediacy. Natural Law compels us to leave Eden and venture out into the world, to confront the complexities of civilization and develop our full potential.
However, this progress is not without difficulties. As we advance along the path of civilization, we are faced with new needs and challenges. Life becomes more complex, interpersonal relationships intensify, and ethical dilemmas multiply. It is then that we must learn to balance intellectual (material) progress with moral (spiritual) progress.

Natural Law tells us that we cannot go backwards; that evolution is an irreversible process. We cannot return to the innocence of the natural state, nor take refuge in the simplicity of childhood. Our destiny is to move forward, learning from our mistakes and seeking fulfillment in the exercise of our freedom and our conscience.


MORAL PROGRESS ALWAYS FOLLOWS INTELLECTUAL PROGRESS

Looking back at history, especially contemporary history, the dizzying scientific and intellectual progress we have achieved is evident. However, moral progress seems to lag behind, manifesting a clear disproportion. This, as we have seen, is part of the natural process of human evolution, where moral development tends to be slower than intellectual development.

Natural Law shows us that moral progress is a consequence of intellectual progress, although this process is not always linear or homogeneous.
In our technological age, where scientific innovation advances by leaps and bounds, morality seems not to have kept pace.

The struggle between democracy and autocracy, social crises, and global conflicts are examples of this disparity.

The most technologically advanced societies often have higher rates of "perversion," understood as the corruption of values and the deviation from ethical principles. This is due, in part, to the fact that they have prioritized technological development over moral progress, creating an imbalance that puts human coexistence at risk.


It is essential to understand that authentic progress encompasses both dimensions: the intellectual and the moral. All peoples and individuals strive toward this integral progress, but it is a gradual path that requires time and effort. As long as the moral sense is not fully developed, intelligence can be misused for selfish or destructive purposes.


"Morality and intelligence are two forces that only balance each other in the long run." It is our responsibility, as individuals and as a society, to work to accelerate this process and build a world where scientific and technological progress serves the common good and human dignity.


While the march of progress is inexorable, there are forces that try to hinder it. Individuals who establish themselves as leaders, whether in politics or business, sometimes cling to outdated models and resist the advancement of humanity. However, their efforts to stem the tide of progress are futile, as they will end up being swept away by the very force they are trying to stem.

Human progress, understood as the constant pursuit of improvement in all areas, is an unstoppable force. Figures from the past and present, with their retrograde ideologies and atrocious actions, sought and continue to seek to halt the advance of civilization. However, their harmful influence was temporary, and progress, albeit scarred, continued its course.

"Pseudo-leaders," driven by ambition, selfishness, or the thirst for power, impose laws and structures that restrict freedom and limit human potential. Their attempts to maintain the status quo, to uphold unjust and unsustainable systems, are doomed to fail. History has shown us, time and again, that those who oppose progress end up being victims of their own shortsightedness.

Progress transcends the barriers imposed by these figures. It is a force fueled by creativity, innovation, and the innate desire for improvement that resides within every human being. Despite the obstacles, humanity is advancing toward a future where justice, equality, and well-being are accessible to all.

Ignorance is not a perpetual state for humanity. Human beings, by their very nature of inquisitiveness and capacity for learning, are destined to overcome the limitations of knowledge. Moral and social revolutions, as transformative forces, act as catalysts for this process, injecting new ideas and concepts that drive the moral evolution of individuals and societies.


These ideas, like seeds of change, germinate in the heart of history, sometimes for centuries, nourished by the experiences, reflections, and struggles of past generations. And when the conditions are ripe, these ideas emerge with irresistible force, tearing down the obsolete structures of the past that no longer respond to the needs and aspirations of the present.


Historical events, especially those of the 20th century, show us that no social order, no matter how deeply rooted, can indefinitely resist the advance of progress and moral evolution.


The fall of the Berlin Wall and the disintegration of the Soviet Union


marked a turning point in contemporary history. They symbolize the victory of human values over oppression and authoritarianism, and remind us that the pursuit of freedom and justice is an inherent force within humanity.




THE GREATEST OBSTACLE TO PROGRESS IS PRIDE AND SELFISHNESS

The main obstacle to moral progress lies in the depths of the human ego: pride and selfishness. While intellectual progress advances steadily, driven by curiosity and the thirst for knowledge, moral progress is held back by the inability to transcend individual interests. Intellectual progress, in its initial stages, can even seem to generate vices such as excessive ambition and the greed for wealth and power.

In the current context, we see certain leaders clinging to an anachronistic nationalism that seeks to revive past glories or build isolated greatness. While the desire to enhance a nation may be laudable, nationalism as an exclusive ideology lacks support in a globalized world.

Nationalism, as a concept, reached its peak in the 19th and 20th centuries. However, with the emergence of globalization at the end of the last century, the world has transformed into a web of interdependencies. Just as empires gave way to nation-states, the latter must now give way to a new global order based on cooperation and interconnectedness.


Leaders who present themselves as "messiahs" of nationalism are not a new phenomenon. History is replete with figures who, in the name of national greatness, have led their people to disaster. Power concentrated in a single person, without checks and balances, inevitably leads to abuse, corruption, and social destabilization. Let us recall those cases whose delusions of grandeur caused immense suffering to humanity.


Evolution, both biological and social, is an irreversible process. What worked in the past is not necessarily valid in the present. Absolute monarchies, for example, had to adapt to the demands of modernity, giving way to more participatory and representative forms of government. We are at the dawn of a new geopolitical era, characterized by global interconnectedness and the dissolution of borders. In this context, isolationist nationalism is counterproductive and hinders human progress.

Autocracy, as a system of government where power resides in a single person, is an archaic formula that no longer has a place in a world crying out for democracy and citizen participation. The growing awareness of the need for moral evolution, both individually and collectively, is undermining the foundations of authoritarian regimes. Leaders who resist this trend will inevitably be swept away by the force of progress, a force that thrives on the constant pursuit of a more just, free, and equitable world.


IN CONCLUSION

Life isn't a trap God sets for us to condemn us for failing. Life isn't a spelling bee, where it doesn't matter how many words you get right, and if you make a mistake, you're disqualified.
Life is more like a baseball season, where even the best team loses a third of its games, and even the worst team has its days of brilliance.
Our goal is to win more than we lose, and if we can do this consistently enough, when the end comes, we will have won it all.
In the beginning, in the infancy of the human race, as in the infancy of an individual human being, life was simple. Then we ate the fruit of that tree and acquired the knowledge that some things are good and others are evil. We learned how painfully complex life can be, but in the end, if we are brave enough to love, if we are generous enough to rejoice in the happiness of others, and if we are wise enough to know that there is enough love for all of us, then we can achieve a fulfillment that no other living being will ever know. We can then re-enter Paradise.

Harold Kushner (1935 - 2023)

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