The 'Light' Seems to be Getting Dim

In 1882, Nietzsche wrote that God died due to our replacing routines, rituals, institutions, doctrines, etc. for the life force or God. God did not really die, as a person dies, but the means of reminding us of God’s life-force energy had lost their energy. James Hollis, A Jungian analyst, writes it is the energy behind the light bulb that makes the bulb give off light. (James Hollis, A Life of Meaning, pg.100). When we become so focused on the bulb, the shade or light fixture, we lose sight that it is the energy that makes the light. Our “religion” can be so focused on institutions, doctrines, rituals, etc. that we lose sight of the energy or God who is the energizing life/light force. This is not to say that light bulbs, shades, light fixtures, etc. are unimportant; rather it is saying that by themselves they will not give off light. Light bulbs burn out, switches and wires short out and can no longer carry the energy that creates the light. The light fixture may still be beautiful, but it no longer gives light. Light is about the energy that flows into and through the light bulbs in the fixture. It is crucial to know the difference between the energy that gives life, i.e., God, and our “fixtures,” such as institutions, doctrines, rituals, etc. I do not believe that God is dead. I do believe many of our religious institutions, routines, rituals, doctrines are growing very dim or flickering if not already dark.