Will you be remembered for what you did right or what you did wrong?
Thursday, March 4, 2021 at 06:36AM 
For me, one of the most memorable images from Egyptian mythology is the "weighing of the heart." After death, the ancient Egyptians felt, one's heart was placed on a scale opposite the "feather of truth and justice" . If the heart, which recorded all things one did in life both good and bad, was too heavy, you did not go to heaven - simple as that.
A good number of people's lives seemed to being judged in a similar way right now - especially literary and historical figures. Figures from the Civil War, not just Confederate Generals, but even Abraham Lincoln, are being evaluated on their worthiness for public statuary. Here in Minnesota, Henry Sibley, our first governor, had his name removed from a high school and renaming Sibley Park in Mankato is being seriously discussed. The depictions of Native Americans, Blacks, and Asians by beloved authors Laura Ingalls Wilder and Dr. Seuss are being criticized, and by implication, the characters of Wilder and Seuss as well.
When Anubis weighed Sibley's heart, I would not take a bet on the outcome. Letter writers' (historians both amateur and professional) opinions in the Mankato newspaper about the renaming of its largest and most well-known park show two very different interpretations of Sibley's role in the Dakota Uprising of 1862. Was he a primary actor in a baseless genocide of Indians that included the hanging of 38 Dakota natives who may or may not have been part of what may or may not have been a justified uprising that killed white settlers? Or did he stand up to public opinion and save the lives of hundreds of Dakota men, women, and children from whites out for revenge in his role of military commander? Anubis, did Sibley gain access to heaven or not?
Theodor Geisel's (Dr. Seuss) heart may also be an interesting case for the postmortem scales. Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham were fun read-alouds both in my home and in my libraries. Seuss's pro-conservation and pro-kindness lessons were good for kids. Yes, some images were drawn in what are now considered stereotypical fashion. Do we leave his books on the shelves for their humor and sound messages - or do we remove them because he colored a "Chinaman" yellow and showed him with chopsticks? Will the scales of social media and the press consign him and his works to heaven or hell?
Most of us are lucky (or unlucky?) enough to not be sufficiently famous for the public to have an opinion of our value. But in our families, in our communities, and especially in our own consciences we are judged. I hope to be more remembered for the good works, however small, I tried to do than by wrongs I have surely committed. Or by the standards of a future generation.
Reader Comments (3)
I am truly frightened at the possibility of after life judgement. What person hasn't fallen short, in thought or action, of what they should have done? My heart would weigh a thousand pounds, found guilty by my own scale. The Golden Rule, Do Unto Others as You would have done onto you, seems the best measure of success. If I eat well, do I feed others? If I dress warmly, do I work to ensure others are warm as well?
Then, I am reminded of The Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25:31-46, esp 35-40). And, my soul gives a shudder. Dr. Seuss has brought many a smile to children's hearts, and grown ups, too. I can only hope that someone stands up for him and says, "The guy wasn't perfect, but he tried to overcome." And, I can hope that when it's my turn to be weighed, someone will say, "Please, please, let him stand with the righteous, though he failed so many times."
May your heart be light,
Miguel
;-)
Well said Miguel...
My personal beliefs and faith give me hope that I will be judged by God and not by man.
Thank you Doug for continuing to post relevant articles and allowed a few friends to respond with honestly. There seems to be few places that people can discuss issues and be treated with care and concern.
Well, MIguel, if you are heading to hell, I will certainly be in a circle well below yours! Unless there is a dark side of you I've never seen, you are among the most honorable people I have ever known.
I don't believe in a heaven or hell with clouds, harps, pitchforks, and fire. But I do wonder if we will be living our lives over and over again through eternity - the happiness, the grief, the regrets, the love. People who are happy and content in this life, may well be that way in the afterlife. If there truly is a "loving" god, I can't comprehend how s/he would inflict an eternity of suffering on any of his/her creations. But then, I am certainly no theologian!
Thanks much for the reply, Sir. Try to get Texas out of the news for a while!
Doug
Hi Kenn,
I am always honored when someone replies to a post of mine - in agreement, in disagreement, or to amplify or clarify.
Most of what I write simply echoes my thoughts for the day. I have no more expertise or authority on many subjects (especially theology!) than the average man or woman on the street. Perhaps writing is simply a habit, an addiction. Better than heroin, I suppose - cheaper, anyway.
Nice to know that others feel they can be themselves in their replies. I am greatly distressed by the anger and dissonance of most social media today. Very little that is constructive.
Take care,
Doug