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2020/05/18

What I Believe by Leo Tolstoy | Goodreads

What I Believe by Leo Tolstoy | Goodreads

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What I Believe

by
Leo Tolstoy
4.07 · Rating details · 490 ratings · 57 reviews
Originally published in 1885, What I Believe is part of series of books by novelist Leo Tolstoy that outline his personal interpretation of Christian theology. After a midlife crisis at age 50, he began to believe in the moral teachings of Christianity, while rejecting mysticism and organized religion. He believed that pacifism and poverty were the paths to enlightenment. His precepts of nonviolence even influenced Mohandas Gandhi. Students of religion, political science, and literature alike will gain new understanding from the ideas presented in this book. Students of literature will get to understand more deeply one of the greatest novelist in history, while those interested in religion and politics can see how Tolstoy's philosophy came to influence the world at large.

My Religion is another translation of the same book. (less)

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Mass Market Paperback, 244 pages
Published 2000 by Adamant Media Corporation (first published 1884)
Original Title
В чём моя вера?
ISBN
1402185235 (ISBN13: 9781402185236)
Edition Language
English

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Feb 07, 2019Mεδ Rεδħα rated it really liked it
Shelves: les-inoubliables, philosophie, poetry, classics
"No one will deny that not only killing or tormenting a man but tormenting a dog or killing a hen or calf is a suffering that human nature condemns (I know of farmers who stopped eating meat only because they had been in the case of slaughtering their own cattle). "

"And poutant all our human existence is organized so that each personal enjoyment is bought at the price of human suffering contrary to the nature of the man ..."

"I understood that Jesus does not exhort at all to present the cheek and to give up his coat to impose suffering but that he exhorts not to resist the villain, and adds that the practice of this rule could be accompanied by suffering. "

These words: "do not resist evil", understood in their exact meaning were truly for me the key that opened me all. (less)
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Nov 21, 2016Sean Blake rated it it was amazing
Shelves: philosophy, religion, non-fiction, simple-living
"Man has forgotten that his whole history is but an endeavor to solve the contradictions between his rational and animal nature."

Life-changing. Avoiding the supernatural and mystical elements that have plagued Christian theology since its inception, Tolstoy gives us a literal and philosophical interpretation of the Bible, mainly focusing on Jesus Christ. Existentially inclined, Tolstoy abandons all that is taught in the Church and favours an approach that can be used in one's life every day as a tool for upmost happiness and spiritual wellbeing.

"Faith comes only from a consciousness of our state. Faith is based only on the rational consciousness of what is best for us." (less)
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Sep 24, 2012Marcus Lira rated it liked it · review of another edition
Recommends it for: Christians and atheists alike.
Shelves: culture
It may seem odd for an atheist to actually like this book, but here's what I believe: It offers some great insight on what it is that makes former unbelievers convert to a religion. Besides, he's more interesting than your average church-going Christian for one simple reason - he's willing to go against the church, being something of a protestant orthodox.

He makes it clear that what drew him to Christianity is not a better explanation of how the world works (so there's no clash between science and religion there), but politics, and the moral laws that serve as the groundwork to develop this political system. He devotes several pages to ideas such as "do no evil", but fails to mention anything that you'd believe is crucial to religious figures if you stick to the tomes the "New Atheists" often pen. If religion poisons everything, I'd love to hear what is so venomous about the things Tolstoy writes here. If faith should come to an end, I'd like to know what about Tolstoy's faith is so pernicious for humanity. And if God is a delusion... well, then I don't have a problem with it, as Tolstoy seemed pretty damn happy (and harmless).

I've always believed that, although it's not really my cup of tea, Christianity can be a force for good - and here's some proof it can work. (less)
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Nov 12, 2013Kennedy Ifeh rated it it was amazing
This book by Count Leo Tolstoy is the sequel to his bestseller, ‘The Kingdom of God is within you’. Co-incidentally, I read this book at the same time that I read Dostoyevsky’s ‘Brothers Karamazov’. Tolstoy’s What I Believe, as small as it is, answers all the questions as raised by Dostoyevsky’s Brothers Karamazov; strange to say, few people have made reference to this fact.
The book is based on the integral teachings of Christ; the Sermon on the Mount. Tolstoy drew five commandments out of Christ’s Sermon on the Mount, namely; 1. Do not be angry 2. Do not commit Adultery 3. Do not swear oath 4. Resist not evil 5. Do not partake in war. Based on these five integral aspects of Christ’s teachings, Tolstoy took a swipe at the church. His criticism against the Church is based on the fact the Christians don’t practice the true doctrine of Christ as stated in the Sermon on the Mount. For 1800 years, according to him, Christians have drawn up a distinction between their private life and social life. The church has encouraged Christians to join the army in protection of country’s sovereignty. He went on to cite provocative ways the Church has deviated from the core doctrine of Christ.
According to Tolstoy, there is so much evil in the world because mankind has turned his back from God. Mankind has embraced the doctrine of the world in pursuit of worldly happiness. The doctrine of the world brings suffering. The only means of restoring true happiness is by following after the doctrine of Christ, ‘ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free’. The doctrine of Christ, in Tolstoy’s view, brings the Kingdom of God on earth.
In general, I have better understood the Bible, the new testament, according to Tolstoy; the core of Christ’s teachings. I have started reading the sequel, ‘The Kingdom of God is within You’.
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Aug 25, 2018Johannes Vriend rated it liked it
Shelves: russische-literatuur
Sometimes truly genius, sometimes not that good...

There were moment while reading this book (or maybe I should say Listening, because i audiobooked it) that I was entirely in awe of what Tolstoy was saying. He is a master in understanding the human psychology, and the parts in wich he goes deeper into understanding the laws of Christ and why they work, were quite great!
Butt... I, as a person that has been studying Christian theology for years, do not agree with all his interpertations. Esspecially about heaven and the second comming of Christ. I think his views are sometimes theologically incorrect.

That said, Tolstoy still kept me interested in his views, and it helped form my own views on things. Even if I do not agree with his views, it was interesting to think it over.

Like every work of Tolstoy, this book was very well written. He has no problem with articulation his ideas and interpertations of the scriptures.

Though I am a theologian myself, I kinda enjoy his fictional writings - War and Peace, Anna Karenina and The Death of Ivan Illytisj to name af few - more than I did this work.

I highly recommend you to read this book, but to do your own background study about the Gospels and the Christian faith, so that you can form your own view.

P.S. I really want to read The Kingdom of God is within you now.



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Jan 05, 2013Iva rated it it was amazing
I'm very glad that I got the chance to read this book, because it showed me things I didn't even know of. Some may say that this is a bunch of lies, but I don't care, when I was reading it, my heart and my mind were accepting all the words.
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Mar 01, 2011Robert Fischer rated it it was amazing · review of another edition
Shelves: theology-philosophy-religion
This book straight up blew my mind. It's a major reworking of the message of Christianity, and although I find it generally dismissive of a lot of scripture, the challenging re-presentation of the doctrine of Christ is certainly an interesting and insightful reading of the gospels.
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Apr 30, 2009Nick Metel rated it it was amazing
This book is nothing but the Truth.
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Oct 19, 2017Charlemagne rated it did not like it
Shelves: purgamentum
Tolstoy was not very honest with this book after a second thinking about it.
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Oct 19, 2013Vikas Lather rated it did not like it
I would not recommend this book to anyone.
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Mar 27, 2013Paul rated it it was amazing
a truly life changing book. I recommend everyone reading this book.
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Apr 14, 2020Deb rated it liked it · review of another edition
In this book, Leo Tolstoy shares many of his beliefs, the basis of which are the teachings of Jesus Christ, especially those teachings Jesus gave at the Sermon on the Mount. Tolstoy calls these the "doctrine of Jesus." He shows that the churches with which he was familiar did not follow the teachings or example of Jesus. In fact, most churches teach contrarily or give many exceptions to simple truths. Tolstoy says that most of what the churches teach are prescribed ways to live or dogma, not truths. He says even people who are not religious or who are from very different religions will live a happier life if they follow Jesus's simple teachings.

Tolstoy makes it clear that many aspects of the Bible are easy to misinterpret. He says translation errors have been used to defend wrong ways of believing, thinking, and living. He gives examples. He seems to not agree with many teachings of general Christianity and for good reason based on faulty interpretation. That's why modern revelation and modern prophets are so important. He makes a clear case for the importance of a restoration of Jesus Christ's true church.

Apparently, Leo Tolstoy's views against violence influenced people like Martin Luther King, Junior and Mahatma Gandhi. He spends a lot of time on the the idea of "resisting not evil." He advocates living for, loving, and serving others. Among other things, he's against fame and possessions.

He gives "Five commandments given by Jesus for your welfare: Be not angry; do not commit adultery; Take no oaths; Resist not evil; Do not make war."

His ideas of an abundant life are interesting. He shows that most people who might be considered successful aren't really living a great life. They miss out on many simple joys like spending time in nature, having the ability to work hard and thus being healthier and sleeping better, being with family, and having the freedom to make choices about how to use one's time.

"To be poor means not to live in cities, but in the country, not to be shut up in close rooms, but to labor out of doors, in the woods and fields, to have the delights of sunshine, of the open heavens, of the earth, of observing the habits of dumb animals; not to rack our brains with inventing dishes to stimulate an appetite, and not to endure the pangs of indigestion. To be poor is to be hungry three times a day, to sleep without passing hours tossing upon the pillow a victim of insomnia, to have children, and have them always with us, to do nothing that we do not wish to do (this is essential) and to have no fear for anything that may happen."

I agree with many things in this book.

I believe the Bible as far as it has been translated correctly. I'm very thankful for the restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, for modern revelation, for modern scripture, and for modern prophets.

Would I recommend this book? Maybe. It was hard for me to read and a little exhausting. It isn't particularly entertaining. It is educational and thought provoking. It made me feel glad for the truths I know about who I am, why I'm here, and where I'm going after this life. (less)
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Feb 22, 2015Carol Apple rated it it was amazing
What I Believe is Leo Tolstoy’s follow-up to A Confession in which he describes his profound existential crisis: at age 50 and at the height of his worldly success, Tolstoy became so depressed that he wished to commit suicide. In desperation he turned to the Church of his childhood and discovered the saving power of a true belief in God. Reading A Confession led me to read his final novel Resurrection, which in which an aristocrat has a spiritual awakening of his own and discovers the far-reaching dysfunctions of the Russian justice system and the evils of bureaucracy. I had read his two great classics, War and Peace and Anna Karenina in the past, but Tolstoy’s post spiritual crisis phase produced writings much different in content, tone, and purpose. What I Believe turned my world upside down and I can’t wait to read his The Kingdom of God is Within You, a book considered so radical it was banned in Russia for many years.

Tolstoy begins What I Believe by explaining how he began to feel uncomfortable with the doctrine of the Russian Orthodox Church. He was attracted to Christ’s teachings about love, forgiveness, and the brotherhood of man, but he found the Church, while never denying Christ’s doctrine of love, put a tremendously disproportionate emphasis on ritual and ceremony and gave scant attention to how Christians should behave toward other people in their daily lives. Also he was disturbed that the Church supported such things as persecution of certain populations, serfdom, capital punishment, and war. Tolstoy read the gospels over and over, with special attention to the Sermon on the Mount – Matthew 5 through 7. Then, reading through all the church’s commentaries on the gospels, he found that the church seemed to ignore or distort the clear teachings of Jesus whenever they conflicted with the established systems of civilization. It was as if the world’s system were the default, and the teachings of Jesus, who they claimed to believe is God, had to be made to fit into that mold.

By the end of the book Tolstoy comes reluctantly to the conclusion that for centuries the Church has been teaching a form of Christianity far different from what Jesus intended. Jesus was teaching the eternal law that leads to life: real life on earth and life that continues after death. He also teaches how this law, based on love, is incompatible with the world’s law, which is based on fear and competition and is really just a sophisticated version the predatory law of the beasts. Tolstoy saw that Jesus’ primary message was that to be truly human, to rise to a level higher than a talking animal, or in other words, to be born into the new life of the spirit, you must stop living according to the law of the world and embrace the law of love. This is the only way to break the cycle of violence. Sure the world will probably not like you and may even crucify you, but you will be truly alive, and actually happier, both before and after your physical death.

The part of the book I found most fascinating is Tolstoy’s interpretation of the five commandments of Christ, all of which are clearly taught in the Sermon on the Mount. For each one he explains the research he did into the original texts and how he reached each conclusion. The key commandment for Tolstoy, the one that really opened the floodgates of light, is that followers of Christ are not to return evil for evil. That’s means no violence to anyone, including enemies, and not just personal enemies, but also those populations that your government calls enemies. When he realized that Christ did not mean this statement as an unreachable ideal but a practical lifestyle, all the pieces of the puzzle began falling into place. Here are the five commandments of Christ as interpreted by Tolstoy:

1. “Be at peace with all men, and never consider your anger as just. Never look upon any man as worthless or a fool, neither call him such. Not only shall you never think yourself justified in your anger, but also you shall never consider your brother’s anger as causeless; and therefore, if there is one who is angry with you, even if it is without cause, go and be reconciled to him before praying. Endeavor to destroy all enmity between yourself and others, that their enmity may not grow and destroy you.” Matthew 5:21-26

2. “Take no pleasure in concupiscence; let each man, if he is not a eunuch, have a wife and each woman a husband; let a man have but one wife, and woman one husband, and let them never under any pretext whatever dissolve their union.” Matthew 5:32

3. “Never take an oath under any circumstances. Every oath is extorted from men for evil.” Matthew 5: 33-37

4. “Never resist evil by violence; never return violence for violence. If anyone strikes your, bear it; it anyone takes away what is yours, let him have it; if anyone makes you labor, do so; if anyone wants to have what you consider to be your own, give it up to him.” Matthew 5: 38-42

5. “Never consider men of another nation as your enemies; look upon all men as you do toward your fellow-country men; therefore you shall not kill those whom you call your enemies; love all and do good to all.” Matthew 5:43-48

Tolstoy believes that these commandments are not intended to be impossible ideals but are in fact Christ’s instructions on how his followers ought to live. If we would only try them, we’d find they actually result in a happier life. In Chapter 10 he identifies the ingredients of a truly happy life: being in touch with the natural world, family, peaceful and unrestricted fellowship with all classes of people, and surprisingly, labor: working to supply our own needs and enjoying the fruits of our labor. A life lived according to Jesus’ commandments would produce to all of these ingredients.

Jesus said “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” and “Ye shall know the truth and the truth will set you free.” The law of love that Jesus taught, according to Tolstoy, is more in accord with our real nature than the world's law which tells us we are obligated to kill total strangers if the State tells us to take up arms and go to war. I am not so sure about it being more in accord with human nature. The law of love appeals to me but I am a peaceful person who does not find the least pleasure in killing living things. However I know plenty of people who say they sincerely enjoy killing animals, watching ultra-violent films, and even claim to relish the thought of killing certain people. And some of these people are Christians.

I understand none of us made this world and most of us feel stuck in its tangled web of systems. We are born into a world where we don’t have access to enough earth to grow our own food and are dependent from birth on government and complicated economic systems to obtain food and water. So I don’t know that God would hold us accountable for the situation we find ourselves in, and I am glad that one of the rules is that no one gets to judge anyone else. Maybe we could just not assume that the way the world is necessarily the way it has to be. Human systems are not set in stone. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to ask ourselves why we do the things we do every day: are we acting out of fear or out of love? Or have we somehow mixed the two concepts in our minds – as in I go to a job I hate because I love my children and am afraid I won’t be able to feed them. It’s more complicated than you think, Mr. Tolstoy, when you are not a world-renowned Russian nobleman. Also I am puzzled about how this doctrine of non-violence relates to crazed terrorists and keeping child predators and psychopaths off the streets. However, that said, I think Tolstoy is onto something here, namely the truth. It changed his life and it may yet change mine. (less)
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Oct 21, 2012Brian Sullivan rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Tolstoy narrates a discussion with a Rabbi where the basic teachings of jesus sermon on the mount were found to be in the Talmud. However, the Rabbi said that the Talmud did not offer anything similar to Jesus admonition to turn the other cheak or to not resist him that is wicked.
The Rabbi asked whether Chrisitians obeyed this law – and Tolstoy admits that in his time the Hebews were subject to the opposite.
Jesus words are usually said to be mystical, or impractical ideals, especially in a society where judges and military are required masters requests if I find them hard?
Mt 7:21, 22 says that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven a person must do the will of God. Tolstoy notes even the Jews were told the same by Samuel.
But if I am a servant can I simply dismiss my of a masters rules and remain in his employ?
Jesus claim that his laws are light, not burdemsone? So why are they dismissed in social life?
Did Jesus mean them only to be applied on a personal spiritual level?
The doctrines of Jesus divinity or the ransom held as essential by the church are referenced obliquely or found in few verses. Yet Jesus moral injunctions, dismissed as impractical by socialised ‘Christian society’ , form the basis of the Gospels.
How would a a person, hearing Jesus for the first time, have understood him? A child not exposed to church dogma or Christendom’s society would take Jesus at his word.
But Tolstoy argues we have tried to reconcile two different incompatible doctrines of written law and the ‘eternal law’ of God.
Tolstoy notes the Gospel are placed in contrast to Jesus.
He discusses Mt 5:17 often quoted to say Jesus would destroy but fulfil the law and the prophets.

Argues that when Jesus says the law and the prophets he means the written law. But hje term ‘law’ I the eternal law of God, which he then sets out to show is not the same thing as the written code that regulated life and passed condemnation.

Jesus is not just standing against Jewish but also Roman justice – infact the whole retributory judicial concept.
“you heard that it was said ….. “ implies Jesus is talking a social legal position on how society should run. Retributive justice has only spread evil and Jesus, he believes, requires us to reject violence, the resistance of evil and legal retributory judgement.
To turn the other cheek, to give to those asking you, nt to judge, to go an extra mile are solutions to social ills. Therefore to be a judge or in the military is against Jesus teaching.
Conservative religionists and revolutionary athiests both argue for the right to right wrongs by violence so cannot deny the right of another, possibly enemy, side to do the same.
My favourite part of the book is Tolstoy’s discussing what the NT calls the Commandment of Christ:
Tolstoy argues that this is not the law of love, as this is found in the Torah.Rather he understands Mt 5:21-48 where Jesus contrasts the written law “you heard that it was said, but I say to you”:
1. Mt 5:21-26 not to kill, or to be angry. “The service of God is the annihilation of all enmity‘. Tolstoy argues that the translation not to be “angry without cause has allowed commentators to justify anger – all angry men think their anger is justified. E.g. The NT speaks of Paul and others as angry. This has led many to suggest you can simply make peace in your head .
Tolstoy claims ‘without cause’ is a 5th century addition. Clearly Jesus commands a person to attempt reconciliation before prayer, lest it not be accepted by God. It is wrong to justify anger by reducing him to a fool, calling him racca, ‘unworthy of being called a man’ or ‘lost’ (cp Judges 9:4) .
2. Mt 5:27-32 “Do not consider carnal beauty to lust after it. Avoid the temptation and do not use a pretext for divorce: to desire another woman lustfully is adultery in the heart. For a man to divorce his wife ‘saving for the cause of adultery’ makes her an adulterer is contrary to Jesus condemning divorce (Mt 19:4-8; Mk 10:4-12; Lk 16:18 also 1 Cor. 7:8-12). Tolstoy claims the text refers to a husbands ‘lewdness’: If a man divorces his wife because of his lewdness he makes her an adulterer …’
3. Mt 5:33-37 “Do not sweat al all” … “let your yes be yes”. Church authorities argue this refers to taking Gods name in vain, since Jesus and Paul responded to or made oaths. But Tolstoy argues this would also refer to taking an oath of allegiance, or a military oath that could require breaking Jesus position against violence.
4. Matthew 5:38-42: No vengeance, even if called ‘justice.’ Tolstoy takes it as “‘Never resist evil by violence; never return violence for violence. If anyone strikes you, bear it; if anyone takes away what is yours, let him have it; if anyone makes you labour, do so; if anyone wants to have what you consider to be your own, give it up to him.’” Tolstoy denies the argument from John Chrysostom on that this does not apply to the punishment of evil doers.
5. Matthew 5:43-48: “love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you “ Desissolve enmity between nations and races. Tolstoy “formerly considered these words as explaining, amplifying, and giving more emphasis to, even exaggerating, the doctrine of non-resistance. “ However, he concludes The use of the word ‘enemy’ in the singular number ……. referred to a national enemy Cp the story of the Good Samaritan applies love of neighbour to a national enemy.
Tolstoy argues these preclude justifying war, the use of judicial process against another. He quotes Origen: ‘Thus we fight better than any for the safety of our sovereign. We do not, it is true, serve under his banners, and we should not, even were he to force us to do so.”
“the doctrine of Christ, as I now understand it, has another signification: the establishing of the kingdom of God on earth depends upon us. The fulfillment of Christ’s doctrine, as expressed in the five commandments, establishes this kingdom of God. The kingdom of God on earth is peace among all men. Peace among men is the highest earthly bliss that man can attain. It was thus that the Hebrew prophets pictured the kingdom of God to themselves. “
“The fulfillment of Christ’s commandments will make the lives of men such as each human heart seeks and longs for. All men will be brethren, each will be at peace with the other, and each will be free to enjoy all the blessings of this world during the term of life allotted to him by God.”
The question is do you take a faith position – give up all courts and miliitary and expect divine protection? Remember pacifist societies have flourished but all eventually ended eg the short lived kingdom of Buddhist Asoka, or the community of John Penn.
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Feb 01, 2014Ci rated it really liked it · review of another edition
Shelves: re-read-books
Following "A Confession", Tolstoy here laid out his careful process of finding out the truth of Jesus's teaching. Much to his surprise, these teachings were opposite to what the Church and State have been expounded. Through careful scholarship, and much rumination, Tolstoy arrived at his own doctrine of a committed non-violence pacifistic stance in his Christian faith.

Tolstoy had a lasting and deep influence on Gandhi and the eventual independence of India. One may quibble with the realistic view how a pure pacifistic view would work at nation / state level (i.e., it is a "dog-eat-dog world" still), at least one should take his deep thinking into one's personal life. A staunch view of nonviolence, brotherly love, kindness and tolerance, refraining from judging and condemning may not be easily to apply in one's life, but should be something to aspire to, and practice toward. Waiting for a world when everybody is full of "lovingkindness" before one actual practice such virtue is the imtrackable cycle of violence that homo sapiens have yet to break. One can talk about "competitiveness", "zero-sum game", "gamesmanship", "strategic positioning", yet they all have the pulsing heart of aggression and insatiable appetite. What Jesus may have really showed us is the step toward a major step in human development, a state beyond territorial and resource ambitions. (less)
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Apr 25, 2015John Sheehan rated it it was amazing
My, my, my how I enjoyed literature by Leo Tolstoy that you can not but help notice each word was truly well researched, though out, and controversial from a religious perspective. Tolstoy's insights are truly mind blowing. What a masterpiece of literature that has the ability to change how you view and understand Christianity.
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Jul 17, 2011Karen Chung rated it it was amazing
A different side of Tolstoy. He did deep research into the Bible and the basic tenets of Christianity to write this very thought-provoking book. He is convincing when you first read it, but the arguments tend to erode over time, especially considered in the light of Tolstoy's own life choices.
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Jun 08, 2017Corey Wozniak rated it really liked it

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오랫동안 생명사상을 주창해온 김지하가 도덕적 삶의 부재가 야기한 우리 사회의 가장 근본적인 문제점들을 '촛불'이 태동한 현상을 중심으로 특유의 날카로운 시선으로 파헤친 에세이 형식의 사회비평서. <방콕의 네트워크>, <촛불, 횃불, 숯불>, <새 시대의 율려, 품바품바 들어간다>, <디지털 생태학> 총 4권으로 구성되었다.

저자는 2002년 한일월드컵에서 나타난 붉은악마들의 거대하고, 단결된 응집력을 통해 우리 사회가 가지고 있는 고질적인 폐단을 극복하는 하나의 가능성을 발견했다. 그 가능성은 조선 말기 동학농민운동에서 보였던, 저자의 생명사상의 모태가 되었던 '후천개벽'의 거대한 흐름을 이어온 우리 민족의 뿌리요, 이 땅의 위기를 극복할 새로운 세대의 출현을 알리는 커다란 울림이었다.

이후 저자는 효순이 미선이 사건을 계기로 일어난 '촛불시위'를 통해 집회문화의 패러다임을 전환한 민족의 응집력에 주목했고, 이 네 권의 책을 통해 '사이버세대', '촛불세대'로 이어지는 거대한 문명사적 흐름과 우리 사회가 주목해야만 하는 시대의 역할에 대해 다소 무거운 질문을 던지고 있다.
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목차


<방콕의 네크워크>

-소근소근 김지하의 세상이야기 인생이야기①


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책속에서

6월 10일 이후 폭력의 악순환이 시작된다. 한쪽은 낡아빠진 보수 꼴통들이요, 다른 한쪽은 좌파 시위꾼들이다. 이것은 순수한 촛불을 훼손했다. 바로 이 폭력 선동자, 폭력 조장자 양쪽을 나는 ‘까쇠’라고 이름 지어 부르기로 한다. 촛불세대는 분명히 한 가지 입장만을 고수하지 않으며 다양한 사람들의 개성을 존중한다.
프랑스에서는 시민들의 평화적인 데모 때마다 복면을 쓰고 나타나 폭력 선동을 일삼아 그 결과를 난장판으로 귀결시키는 파괴자들을 가리켜 ‘Casseur, 까쇠르’라고 한다. 나는 이것을 ‘키워드’로 떠올리기로 한다. 이 키워드(촛불세대의 문화)를 통해 사태 전모를 인식하며 위험을 제거하고 비판해야 할 문제점을 순식간에 이 혁명과 인식해야 하는 것이 신세대 문화이다.
‘까쇠’는 ‘까부수는(파괴하는)’ ‘까부는(난동을 부리는)’ ‘까발리는(선동만 하는)’ 것을 직업으로 하는 쇠놈(마당쇠의 쇠)을 뜻한다. ‘까쇠르’를 이제부터 ‘까쇠’로 부른다. ‘까쇠’는 정부에도 반정부 좌파에도 있다(종북전술단위). 이들의 목적은 (시민에게) 아무 이익도 없는 파괴뿐이다. 인터넷에도 있고 활자 신문에도 있다. 인터넷에는 ‘댓글알바’가 그것이고 신문에서는 ‘극우선동꾼’이다. 인식과 이 이름 부르기를 대중화시키는 것은 실천적으로 매우 중요하다. - <방콕의 네트워크> 23~24쪽 중에서


현대는 개체 중심의 융합입니다. 촛불은 인터넷을 하는 친구들로부터 시작됐고, 이들은 저마다 홍길동입니다. 거기에 가서 김지하가 이리로 가자고 하면 ‘너나 가라’고 할 것입니다. 그렇다면 이 세대가 잘못된 것입니까. 아닙니다. 지금까지 공동체, 국가, 민족으로 묶어놓았던 것에서 해방되기 시작하면서 개체성이 튀어나오고 있는 것입니다. 진화론도 크게 바뀌었습니다. 종 전체 중심의 진화가 아니라 개체가 먼저 나오고 있습니다. 천 개의 다른 개체들이 자기 안에 있는 하나의 큰 우주적 달을 전부 다 자기 스타일로 나름 나름 자기조직화하는 게 현대적 진화입니다. 바로 촛불들이 그렇습니다. 지금의 아이들이 사는 스타일은 우리 시대와는 다릅니다. 그게 월인천강입니다. 그래서 지금 이 바로 화엄 시대입니다. 그렇다면 불교는 자신을 가져야 합니다. 후천개벽 모양으로 커다란 개혁을 한번 해야 합니다. 불교는 얼마든지 할 수 있고, 모든 것을 다 끌어안을 수 있습니다. 문제는 그 불교가 갖는 원래의 큰 잠재력을 누가 현실에 맞게 뽑아내느냐 하는 것입니다. - <새 시대의 율려, 품바품바 들어간다> 209쪽 중에서


촛불!
촛불이다.
촛불은 제사다. ‘붉은악마’의 거칠고 불타는 생명력, 그 축제에 비하면 보드랍고 고즈넉한 영적 사건, 즉 제사요 음 陰이요 그늘이요, ‘밤에 켜는 제사로서의 촛불’이니 바로 ‘흰 그늘’이다.
촛불은 바슐라르의 물질신비주의의 영감의 원천이다. 촛불은 유럽 문화의 골수인 기독교신비의 중핵 ‘파스카 부활, Pascha’의 상징이다. ‘자기를 태워 빛을 발하는 예수 희생 제사’의 상징이다. 그것은 ‘넘어감’ 즉, ‘통과’의 의례다.
‘붉은악마와 촛불.’
마침내 현대 한국 민중의 새 세대 문화의 신비는 꼴을 갖춘다. 태극, 또는 ‘태극궁궁’의 음양통합이 나타난다. 붉은악마 ‘치우’의 숭고함과 ‘촛불’의 심오함이, 치우의 생명력(外有氣化)과 촛불의 무의식(內有神靈)이 통합된다.
아, 촛불!
나는 한동안 긴 침묵 속에서 혹시라도 내 생애와 촛불이 지닌 공유의 지점이 있었는지를 생각해본다. - <디지털 생태학> 43쪽 중에서
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저자 소개

지은이: 김지하
신간 알림 신청
최근작 : <흰 그늘>,<우주생명학>,<중심의 괴로움> … 총 89종 (모두보기)
1941년 전남 목포에서 태어났다. 1966년 서울대학교 미학과를 졸업했다. 1969년 ≪시인≫지에 <황톳길> 등 시 5편을 발표하며 등단했다. 시집으로는 ≪황토≫(1970), ≪타는 목마름으로≫(1982), ≪남(南)≫(1984), ≪살림≫(1987) , ≪애린 1·2≫(1987), ≪검은 산 하얀 방≫(1987), ≪이 가문 날에 비구름≫(1988), ≪나의 어머니≫(1988), ≪별밭을 우러르며≫(1989), ≪중심의 괴로움≫(1994), ≪화개≫(2002), ≪유목과 은둔≫(2004), ≪비단길≫(2006), ≪새벽강≫(2006), ≪못난 시들≫(2009), ≪시김새≫(2012) 등이 있다. 저서로는 ≪산문집 ‘밥’≫(1984), ≪남녘땅 뱃노래≫(1987), ≪흰 그늘의 길 1, 2, 3≫(2003), ≪생명학 1, 2≫(2003), ≪김지하의 화두≫ (2003), ≪탈춤의 민족미학≫(2004), ≪생명과 평화의 길≫(2005), ≪디지털 생태학≫(2009) 등이 있다. 아시아·아프리카 작가회의 로터스 특별상(1975), 국제시인회의 위대한 시인상(1981), 크라이스키 인권상(1981), 이산문학상(1993), 정지용문학상(2002), 만해문학상(2002), 대산문학상(2002), 공초문학상(2003), 영랑시문학상(2010) 등을 수상했다. 현재 건국대학교 석좌교수다.




출판사 제공 책소개

‘촛불세대’가 보여준 우리 민족의 가능성에 주목하라!

‘모심(侍)’, 창조적 ‘진화’ 그리고 ‘개벽’
생명사상가 김지하가 내놓은 또 하나의 화두

『소곤소곤 김지하의 세상이야기 인생이야기』(전 4권)는 오랫동안 생명사상을 주창해온 저자가 도덕적 삶의 부재가 야기한 우리 사회의 가장 근본적인 문제점들을 ‘촛불’이 태동한 현상을 중심으로 그 특유의 날카로운 시선을 가지고 파헤친 에세이 형식의 사회비평서이다.
이 책은 저자가 집필한 이전의 저작물들에 비해, 좀더 쉽게 쓰려고 노력한 흔적이 곳곳에 묻어 있다. 저자는 책 곳곳에서 현재 자신이 쓰고 있는 글이 지나치게 어렵지는 않은지, 현재 하고 있는 강연이 대중들에게 보다 쉽게 전달될 수는 없는지에 대해 스스로에게 되묻는 일을 반복한다. 그 만큼 저자는 이 책이 가진 사회적 메시지가 얼마나 중요한 것인지, 이 땅의 위기를 극복할 유일한 방법이 바로 2002년 한일 월드컵과 촛불시위를 주도했던 대중 스스로에게 있음을 밝히고 있는 것이다.
저자는 2002년 한일월드컵에서 나타난 붉은악마들의 거대하고, 단결된 응집력을 통해 우리 사회가 가지고 있는 고질적인 폐단을 극복하는 하나의 가능성을 발견했다. 그 가능성은 조선 말기 동학농민운동에서 보였던, 저자의 생명사상의 모태가 되었던 ‘후천개벽’의 거대한 흐름을 이어온 우리 민족의 뿌리요, 이 땅의 위기를 극복할 새로운 세대의 출현을 알리는 커다란 울림이었다.
이후 저자는 효순이 미선이 사건을 계기로 일어난 ‘촛불시위’를 통해 집회문화의 패러다임을 전환한 민족의 응집력에 주목했고, 이 네 권의 책을 통해 ‘사이버세대’, ‘촛불세대’로 이어지는 거대한 문명사적 흐름과 우리 사회가 주목해야만 하는 시대의 역할에 대해 다소 무거운 질문을 던지고 있다.

새로운 세대의 등장 ‘방콕의 네트워크’

2002년 6월 월드컵 축구대회 때에 청소년, 여성, 서민 일반이 주축인 붉은악마 응원팀에게 한 신문기자가 물었다.
“당신들 붉은악마세대의 별명을 무어라 부르는 게 좋겠는가?”
“방콕의 네트워크라고 불러다오.”
“무슨 뜻인가?”
“방콕은 제 방에 혼자서 콕 박혀 사는 세대를 말하고, 네트워크는
저희들 맘 맞는 컴퓨터세대끼리의 소규모 연락망을 말한다. 또 다른 표현을 쓴다면 ‘밀실의 연대’라고도 하겠다.”
-『방콕의 네트워크』 서문 중

2002년 붉은악마의 등장은 저자가 지난 20여 년 동안 주목해온 ‘후천개벽’의 시대를 여는 하나의 신호탄이었다. 한 달여 동안 한반도를 온통 붉은 함성으로 뒤흔든 7백만 명의 붉은악마가 보여준 우리 민족의 응집력은 실로 놀라운 것이었다. 하지만 저자는 이들을 지켜보면서 이러한 현상이 단순한 이벤트성의 행사가 아니라 우리 사회가 직면한 위기를 근본적으로 해결할 수 있는 하나의 가능성임을 깨달았다. 도전과 열정 그리고 관용을 동시에 보여주며 한반도 곳곳을 온통 붉은 물결로 뒤덮어 세계를 놀라게 했던 붉은악마세대는, 이후 촛불세대로 이어지며 다시 한 번 전 세계를 놀라게 할 하나의 가능성을 이어가고 있다.
그들은 ‘개체-융합’이라는 새로운 개념의 네트워크를 형성하며, 온라인?오프라인 화백을 중심으로 각각의 네티즌 개체들이 그 안에 나름의 질서를 형성, 전체적 융합을 품고 있다. 동학은 각자가 그것을 자기스타일 대로 자각하는 것을 가리켜 ‘모심(侍)’이라고 부른다. 그리고 그 ‘모심’을 곧 창조적 ‘진화’라고 부르고 그 진화의 극단적인 절정을 ‘개벽’이라고 한다. 그래서 저자는 촛불세대가 보여준 하나의 가능성을 ‘화엄개벽’이라 명명한다. 저자 자신의 사상적 모태인 ‘동학’의 후천개벽 시대가 바로 이들, ‘밀실의 네트워크’를 이루는 새로운 세대에 의해 이루어지리라는 확신을 가지게 된 것이다.

‘생명과 평화의 길’을 이끄는 새로운 리더 ‘촛불세대’

저자는 지금 우리사회에 일고 있는 인류 문명사 대전환의 미묘한 흐름을 일부 김항의 『정역』에서 집어내고 있다. 바로 후천개벽의 과정을 나타내는 ‘기위친정(己位親政)’, ‘십일일언(十一一言)’, ‘십오일언(十五一言)’ 세 마디가 그것이다.
‘기위’는 ‘맨 꼴지’를, ‘친정’은 ‘임금의 직접정치’를 의미한다. 결국 ‘기위친정’이 의미하는 바는 개벽이 시작되면 세상에서 가장 천대받던 소외계층이 임금처럼 우주정치를 담당하게 되는 큰 전환이 일어나게 된다는 뜻이다. 불교의 ‘중생이 곧 부처’, 예수복음에서의 ‘모퉁이 돌이 머릿돌이 된다’라는 의미와 상통한다.
‘십일일언’과 ‘십오일언’은 이제껏 정치에서 제외되었던 20살 미만의 학생들과 젊은 여성들이 우리 사회의 중추 세력으로 떠오를 것이며, 기존의 정치인이나 지식인 종교 지도자들은 정치 전면에서 한 발 물러서 교육, 문화, 종교 본연의 임무에 몰두하면서 음으로 이들을 돕게 된다는 말이다.
120여 년 전 김일부가 『정역』을 통해 주창했던 ‘후천개벽의 시대’가 2002년 월드컵 당시 막강한 응집력을 보여주었던 붉은악마나 효순이 미선이 사건과 미국산 쇠고기 수입 반대운동을 통해 나타났던 ‘촛불시위’라는 새로운 개념의 시민사회운동의 태동으로 ‘촛불세대’라는 민족의 위기를 근본적으로 해결할 새로운 세대의 등장으로 이어진 것이다.

사회적 대통합을 통한 문명사의 대전환
촛불이 던지는 우리 사회의 희망메시지

붉은악마로부터 이어진 ‘촛불세대’의 등장은 사회적 대통합을 통한 인류 문명사 대전환을 이루는 하나의 거대한 흐름으로 이어졌다. 저자가 남은 시간을 오직 ‘촛불’ 연구를 위해 바치겠다고 할 만큼 ‘촛불세대’가 가진 가능성은 우리 민족이 처한 위기를 극복할 유일한 희망임을 스스로 고백한 것이다. 상대적으로 소외되었던 쓸쓸한 대중들은 물론, 청소년, 젊은 여성 그리고 아이를 데리고 광장에 나온 ‘유모차 부대’에 이르기까지 ‘촛불’이 던지는 희망메시지에 반응하여 스스로 이 땅의 주인임을 인식하게 된 것이다.
이는 결국 불교, 가톨릭, 기독교 등 종파 간의 통합과 시민사회의 대통합으로 이어지는 하나의 거대한 물결을 이루고야 말았다. 그동안 잠들어 있는 수많은 가능성들이 ‘촛불’이 던지는 메시지와 의미를 중심으로 하나의 거대한 ‘통합’을 이끌어낸 것이다.
이제 저자는 그들이 만들어낸 하나의 거대한 힘을 가능성에서 멈추지 말고 민중 스스로의 것으로 만들어야 한다고 말한다. 2002년 월드컵과 촛불시위의 눈부신 현장들이 바로 그들이 공부해야 할, 구체적인 힘으로 만들어야 할 과제임을 밝힌다.
이제 이 땅의 위기는 그들 스스로 가지고 있는 가능성의 발현 여부에 따라 크게 변할 것임을 기대하며 저자는 희망이 가득 찬 가슴으로 하루하루를 살아갈 것이다.
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승혜 2010-01-15



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