Embracing Aporia! The Journey of a Religious Seeker in a Unitarian Landscape

Last Friday, July 28, 2023, Ullet Road Church had the honour of hosting the esteemed Dutch theologian, Hans La Grand. His thought-provoking talk, "Theology of the Religious Seeker", stirred the minds and hearts of our community, including members from the Wirral Unitarians, Cairo Street Chapel, and our own Ullet Road Church.

Rev. Phil Waldron and Rev. Hans La Grand

One pivotal concept from La Grand's discussion that deeply resonated was the philosophical term "aporia". A Greek term implying a perplexing puzzle, aporia in La Grand's context represents the paradox encountered when two apparently sound truths cannot harmoniously coexist. Imagine, for instance, a Jehovah's Witness standing in your living room, asserting their truth, while another person of a different religious conviction holds their own. The room is suddenly filled with an intriguing tension of dual 'truths', a vibrant manifestation of aporia.

La Grand beautifully woven this term "aporia" into the fabric of his theological discourse. He invited us to acknowledge the beauty and complexity of our existence as bio-historical individuals, deeply rooted in an interplay of biological, historical, and cultural contexts. This, he proposed, is the first step towards grasping the true nature of aporia.

Moreover, he emphasized our active role in sustaining life on our planet, which forms the environment for this bio-historical dance of existence. Recognizing our profound connection to the world around us not only deepens our spiritual understanding but also accentuates the nuanced layers of aporia we experience.

At the heart of his philosophical dialogue, La Grand led us through the labyrinth of existential questions – an exploration, not for conclusive answers, but for a richer understanding of life, death, and reality itself. This quest, a journey towards harmonizing our religious identity with our ideal self, sharpens the contours of the aporia inherent in our individual and collective religious journeys.

But perhaps the most compelling aspect of La Grand's thesis was the recognition of the role individual experience plays in shaping our theological narratives. He underscored that no grand theological concept, not even aporia, holds a universal interpretation, but it is filtered and understood through our unique, individual experiences.

Lastly, he prompted us to seriously consider the paradoxes, or 'apories', found in various religious and wisdom traditions. These are not merely intellectual challenges or philosophical dead-ends, but crucial steppingstones in our endless search for spiritual truth. Each 'aporia' we encounter on this path is an invitation to engage more deeply with our beliefs, an opportunity to reevaluate, and ultimately, grow.

La Grand's insightful dialogue prompts us to seek earnestly, embracing the beauty of the quest and the aporia it brings forth in our continuous endeavour to understand and embody spiritual truth. In the stirring wake of Hans La Grand's insightful discourse, "Theology of the Religious Seeker", it invites our Unitarian community into deeper introspection and dialogue.

As Unitarians, we pride ourselves on our broad-minded embrace of varied beliefs. From theists to atheists, agnostics to humanists, our rich tapestry represents a diverse spectrum of philosophical perspectives. Yet, it's essential to remember our shared commitment to be earnest seekers, to pursue truth wherever it might lead.

However, a thought emerges, a possible paradox within our inclusive congregation: Can a firm stance, such as atheism or humanism, subtly solidify into dogmatism, blinding us to the wisdom from other spiritual sources? La Grand's concept of "aporia" becomes particularly relevant here. It reminds us that seemingly incompatible truths can coexist, each presenting a piece of a larger, more complex spiritual puzzle.

In the spirit of La Grand's teachings, we encourage our community to maintain an open mindset and to engage in active spiritual exploration. This is not a call to abandon your firmly held beliefs, but rather an invitation to consider them in the larger, ever-unfolding tapestry of spiritual wisdom. As atheists, agnostics, theists, or humanists, it's crucial that we continue to question, to seek, and to grow.

Through this continuous inquiry, we might indeed encounter numerous 'apories' or paradoxes, moments where conflicting truths appear to challenge our convictions. Yet, rather than perceive these as roadblocks, let's embrace them as invitations for deeper understanding and growth.

Unitarian tradition cherishes the intellectual rigor and thirst for truth that defines our community. As we navigate our individual and collective spiritual paths, may we all, irrespective of our specific beliefs, continue to honour this tradition. May we remember that the pursuit of truth is a journey riddled with delightful paradoxes and enriched by the wealth of wisdom offered by diverse religious and philosophical traditions.

Let's hold to being 'Religious Seekers,' nurturing a spirit of open-minded curiosity and humility that allows us to engage with the 'apories' on our paths. In the process, we might discover that our previously held 'truths' are but steppingstones on the ever-winding road of spiritual discovery.