An infringement of natural right
Many people are familiar with the first amendment of the US constitution. It establishes freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and press. This wasn’t a new concept to the founders of this country. After Columbus “discovered” the new world, there was a mass influx of colonists establishing outposts in “the new world”. In the 17th century, Roger Williams and William Penn established Rhode Island and Pennsylvania, respectively, as safe havens for religiously persecuted people. in the 18th century amidst the American Revolution, Tomas Jefferson and George Mason drafted a declaration of rights that would eventually become the “bill of rights”. A year before the constitution became law, they presented the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on January 16, 1786. In it, Jefferson writes that any abridgement of religious freedom is “An infringement of natural right”. So, today, we celebrate National religious freedom day.
The fight for religious freedom continues to this day. Most people don’t truly understand what the right to religious freedom means though. Jefferson was eloquently astute on the matter. But, who actually reads the text of documents from that time, besides the constitution and declaration of independence? In this document, he calls out centuries of religious oppression and cites the damage of rote orthodoxy on the spirit, mind, and body. The regimens and standards imposed by organized religion act as a mechanism to stifle creativity and impose artificial barriers to thought and action. Jefferson writes:
“the opinions and belief of men depend not on their own will, but follow involuntarily the evidence proposed to their minds”
He sees the dictates of the church of England (and others) as misleading people from following their own path to enlightenment and spiritual well being. Remember, the Pilgrims came here to escape religious persecution, an ongoing battle in Europe and beyond.
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A lack of religious freedom is An infringement of natural right
Jefferson’s words sum up his vision that god imbued us with a free and wild spirit that should not be tamed. In the Virginia Statute he posits:
“God hath created the mind free, and manifested his supreme will that
free it shall remain by making it altogether insusceptible of restraint”.
So, when a government or religion tries to restrain the way you practice religion or dictate your beliefs it goes against the “natural rights” endowed by the creator. Although some of Jefferson’s writing tends toward legalese, his points are salient. he plainly states that the government has no business dictating the beliefs of men:
“The opinions of men are not the object of civil government, nor under its jurisdiction”.
Of course, there does need to be some restraint on beliefs. Another great, more modern thinker, Isaac Asimov points out the danger of unfettered beliefs in politics in a 1980 essay:
“There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.“
This doesn’t detract from Jefferson’s points though. In fact, the two complement each other. Jefferson, in his own way, was actually calling the heads of church and state the ignorant ones. It was their ignorance leading to the declaration of religious freedom. The truth is, no one knows the true meaning of god and the universe. The only path to enlightenment is a solitary one without undue influence.
The fight continues
Christianity replaced the Roman empire with a looser orthodoxy to control the masses. The Council of Niceae met in Turkey around 325 AD. At this point, about 200 bishops conferred over what to include and exclude in the religious canon. in essence, they decided truth VS fiction and outlined exactly how to control the masses through religion. Over the centuries, countless atrocities befell people and the planet in the name of the church and other trains of thought. The repeated persecution of the Jewish people, the clash of Muslims vs Jews vs Christians resulted in death, torture, and worse. And, heaven forbid you change a single word or interpretation, you must be a devil.
We think of the crusades and Nazi Germany as examples of religious persecution. We say “never forget”. But, Repression and violence continues in the name of one religion or another. The conflict in Israel vs Gaza is a blatant example. When a state declares itself as one religion or another, this is a dangerous thing. And, there are grotesque examples of infighting in other places, even among the “faithful” as shiites, Sunis, and Khawarij with at least a dozen sub-categories within each. They battle each other. Then, there are The Uyghurs facing annihilation in China. Religious persecution is alive and well in almost every country in the world. Here, in the US, we have several laws against religious restrictions. But, that doesn’t stop “god Fearing Christians” from trying to impose their beliefs on people at home and abroad. Much of our foreign policy is intended to force our values on others.
Dictating beliefs is An infringement of natural right
While Asimov is correct that your ignorance is not equal to my knowledge, a belief or lack thereof in a higher power is a personal choice. But, its not yours to foist upon others. This is what Religious freedom is about. And, when a government proclaims itself Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or other, it co-opts the autonomy of anyone identifying with those labels. If I believe in Jesus’s divinity, that’s my belief. You can’t use that to control how people act or behave. You certainly can’t legislate over it. When Middle Eastern Clerics put out fatwahs on Salman Rushdie that was unforgivable. When they attacked Denmark’s Jyllands-Posten for printing a cartoon of Mohamed, we all saw the danger and ridiculousness of the situation.
But, here in the states, and other “Christian” nations there are plenty of people promoting similar, albeit more subtle versions of religious intolerance. Many of our politicians call themselves “christian Nationalists”. They cite the fact that the founding fathers were Christian as a reason to interpret their writings through a “Christian” filter. But, their version of Christianity is fire and brimstone. A lot of people who call themselves Christians miss the entire teaching of Jesus. He taught love, respect, and acceptance of all “god’s creatures”. Many see Jewish and Muslim people as a threat. Even certain Christian sects aren’t exempt. So, they advocate curtailing the rights and freedoms of anyone who doesn’t subscribe to their doctrine. This is exactly what Jefferson warned about. As he put it, this is An infringement of natural right.
Who is the most persecuted?
There are a lot of groups claiming that Christians are the most persecuted people in the world. But, what constitutes persecution is a moving target. They love to play the victim. But, remember, Christians took over the world in the wake of Columbus’s “discovery” of the new world. The people who followed him, and expanded their control over the world did so in the name of Christianity. They proclaimed anyone who wasn’t Christian “savages”. Thanks to this propagation, Christianity as a whole is the largest religion in the world. So, any affront to anyone calling themselves Christian becomes “persecution”. Since there are more of them, the number will be larger. But, That doesn’t take into account the severity of repression or types of suffering. And, it doesn’t take into account that there are over 45,000 Christian sects. How many Christians suffer under Christians?
Of course, the same holds true for Muslims. Look at Places like Iran, Syria, and Afghanistan. Again, we have the same problem of spreading versions of religion around the globe leading to big trouble. The problem, as Jefferson pointed out, is the institutions of religion and government dictating the behavior and beliefs of its citizens. How many wars have been fought in the name of “God on our side”? Heck, The US civil war was waged by people who subscribed to the same brand of Christianity. Each said god was on their side. Well, either god picks sides or just likes people to fight over him. Religious ideology is used as a reason for, or contributing factor to, almost all wars. And, the fighting amongst Christian, Muslim, and Jewish people is just plain stupid. They all stem from the same god.
All sects are An infringement of natural right
On the Album “Amused to death, Roger Waters takes an anthropological view of our plight as humans. In the song Too Much rope he calls out religions with the lines:
Moslem or Christian Mullah or Pope
Preacher or poet who was it wrote
Give any one species too much rope
And they’ll f*** it up
While it’s a more modern adaptation, this sentiment echos Jefferson’s concern about religion. People use organized religion as a tool for power and control. When people bring religious doctrine into policy making or even on a personal basis, it becomes a justification for things that go against any sort of natural order. Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, Mohamed, Vishnu, and more all proposed peace, and “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. To use religion to lay claim to anyone or anything else is a perversion of what god wants. Indeed it is An infringement of natural right.
Look at the turmoil in the middle East. The united states claims to be the protector of religious freedom. But, our allies like Israel and Saudi Arabia are the antithesis of that freedom. Most Middle eastern countries are Muslim states, while Israel is a Jewish State. So, the religion is the law. This is what Jefferson warned us about. Back in the states, most of our leaders claim to be devout Christians while they promote legislation and actions based on what they claim is their religious belief. Much of this helps the rich at the expense of the poor, often resulting in damage to the land, environment and other species. Give any one species too much rope…
No one has a monopoly on “the Truth”
Every religion lays claim to certain truths. Anyone not subscribing to their doctrine is not only wrong, but a danger. Again, this is the opposite of what religion is meant for. Even if there is some truth in what they say, the manipulation of words ascribed to a deity, written by man, and re-interpreted and mistranslated repeatedly is, what some call “fake news”. And, it’s dangerous in the hands of people with power. There are actual truths. But, many confuse truth and opinion. The path to religious freedom, enlightenment, and spiritual enlightenment is a solitary path. No religion has a blueprint for every person. They may provide guideposts and inspiration. But, each being must follow his, her, or its own journey. The founding fathers talked about inalienable rights. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That’s about it.
More modern philosophers (musicians) will tell you there are only 2 things guaranteed in the world today: “Death and taxes”. While there is some truth to that, it’s a pretty bleak outlook. It may be a snapshot of how the world works. But, it doesn’t have to be that way. Death brings rebirth. And, taxes are a sharing of wealth intended to better everyone’s existence. Unfortunately, people who claim religion as theirs tend to corrupt concepts through greed and abuse of power. People in power claim dominion over the truth. In fact, they adulterate it.
The Truth
If you want truth, the kitchen is the place to be. So, Only Cumin has some truth for you. As living beings on this planet we need a handful of things: food, water, heat, and shelter. The kitchen offers that. And, the truth permeates the kitchen. Touch a hot pan, you get burned. Too much heat burns things. Slamming an oven door will deflate your souffle. So, if you want a religion to show the truth, here it is. Just don’t use it to control the masses. Feel free to follow your own path to enlightenment. But, take our cue and embrace the truths the kitchen holds. Too much salt ruins a dish. Not enough makes it bland. Overwork the dough, and the bread will be tough. A watched pot…
These truths are manifest and observable. And, if you want faith in something, follow a recipe and pray it comes out the way you want. Unlike most religions, you experience it everyday, whether you do the cooking yourself or partake in someone else’s artistry. So, why not pursue a personalized religion, starting with these prayers, er, recipes. Instead of Amen, let’s repeat the mantra:
Bon apetit!
Olive Ladder Bread
Ingredients
- 7 cups bread flour
- 3 cups warm water
- 1 Tbsp Dry yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 2 tsp salt kosher
- 2 Tbsp Olive oil
- 2 cups chopped olives without pits kalamata or a mix of olives
- 1 tsp cracked black peppercorns
- Extra oil for coating and baking the bread
Instructions
- Mix sugar, yeast and water in the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. Allow to bloom until it becomes a little foamy.
- Add 1/3 of the flour and beat for about a minute until it is smooth. Cover with plastic and let sit for about 30 minutes to an hour.
- When the starter is a bit spongy, add the rest of the ingredients, and mix well with the machine. Then pop out onto a floured surface and knead by hand until the dough (with the exception of the olives) is smooth.
- coat the dough with oil and return to a mixing bowl. Allow to rise for 2 to 3 hours. It should double in volume
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Oil a couple sheet pans.
- Cut the dough into 4 portions. Knead each into a ball. Then flatten them to about 3/4 inch thick rectangles or ovals. Place them onto oiled sheet pans, cover with a damp cloth or plastic and let rise about 20 to 30 minutes.
- Before putting into the oven, slit the bread loaves multiple times to mimic a ladder. Cut through the dough, about an inch or 2 between each slit. Pull the slits to widen the gaps if desired. Brush the tops of the bread with oil. Then pop in the oven.
- After 10 to 12 minutes, check the bread. Turn the loaves and switch pans from lower racks if necessary so they all cook evenly. Put back in for another 10 to 12 minutes until they achieve a nice golden brown.
Herb Seared Monkfish with White Wine, Leek, and Bacon Beurre Blanc accompanied by Cauliflower and Golden Potato Puree, and Lemon Scented Brussel Sprouts
Ingredients
- 2 Lb Monkfish Filet
- 1 cup Chopped fresh herbs, Parsley, dill, chive, Basil, Thyme
- 1 Tbsp Chopped Fresh garlic
- 1/4 cup Olive oil
- 1/4 cup Jullienne fresh leeks
- 1 Cup White Wine
- 1/4 cup diced raw bacon Use Slab bacon if available or thick cut
- 1/4 cup Chicken Broth or fish stock
- 1/4 Lb Sweet Unsalted butter cut into slices
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 whole lemon, Just the juice
- For the Cauliflower Potato Puree
- 4 Cups Raw cauliflower cut into smaller florets so the moisture can cook out.
- 2 Cups Raw peeled potato, preferably golden
- 4 Tbsp Sweet unsalted butter
- Sea salt and Ground white pepper to taste, plus oil to coat cauliflower
- For Brussel Sprouts
- 1 Lb Brussel Spouts, trim bottoms and split in 1/2
- Oil to saute
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1/4 cup Lemon juice
- A little water if needed
- salt and pepper to taste
- Garnish the plate with lemons and herbs
Instructions
- Trim the tough skin and membrane from the monkfish and cut into 4 equal portions. If you can get your fishmonger to do this for you, even better.
- Combine, the garlic, herbs, and a little salt and pepper in a mixing bowl. Toss the fish in the herb mixture to coat evenly.
- Heat a large saute pan over medium high heat. Put in a good amount of olive oil. Place the fish in the pan when hot. Sear one side until lightly browned, then turn over and sear the other for about a minute.
- Transfer the fish to a flat pan sprayed with pan spray, place in 350 degree oven to finish, about 10 minutes. You can check the temperature with a meat thermometer. It should be 145 to 155 degrees.
- Start the sauce before putting the fish in the oven and make it while the fish is roasting. You can use the same pan as the fish if there aren't too many stray herbs that will burn in the pan. Or you can wipe it out and start fresh.
- Heat a saute pan and add in the bacon pieces, render until it becomes brown and the fat is liquid. Drain off some of the fat if it looks like too much. Add in the leeks and stir occasionally. Cook until they become translucent. Then add the wine and cook it down by 1/2 volume. Add in the stock and reduce that by 1/2. Before you serve, whisk in the butter a little at a time so it blends in, but doesn't separate. It will create a creamy sauce. You don't want it to melt and separate.
- Continue whisking and add in the lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Make the sauce as close to service as possible. If you try to reheat it could "break" and separate into liquid and melted butter. This is why the butter is added last (with the seasoning and lemon juice).
- For the Puree: Boil potatoes in lightly salted water.
- When they are fully boiled, soft to the touch, but not falling apart, strain them.
- Toss the cauliflower in a little oil, salt, and pepper and roast in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes. They should be soft to the touch.
- Put the cauliflower into a food processor while still hot. Puree until smooth, scraping down the sides occasionally. Add in the potatoes and follow the same procedure. Be careful how long you puree for. The potatoes can become gummy.
- With the machine running, add in the butter, continue pureeing. Add in salt and pepper to finish and transfer to a bowl (or pan if it needs to be reheated) and test to make sure the seasoning is good and it's not too thin.
- For the brussel sprouts, heat oil in a pan over medium high heat. Add in the brussels and allow them to get some color on one side, Then toss or stir to get color on both sides. Stir often to keep from over cooking. They should still be firm. Add sugar and stir. Allow the sugar to melt. Then add the lemon juice and cook down. If the brussels are still undercooked you may add a little water. The liquid should be mostly gone except for a light glaze. Add salt and pepper. Stir that in.
- To Plate: Spoon the Cauliflower puree unto the plate and drag it a bit to make a trough to put the fish on. Alternatively, you could mound the puree to give the dish height. Place the fish atop the puree. Arrange the Brussels around the puree. Spoon the sauce over the fish and then garnish with lemons and herbs or microgreens. Enjoy with a lighter ale, like Harp or Smithwicks or a nice white wine.