...

Picked up some Merton and last night randomly turned to a page; found the breathtaking line:

Nothing goes towards God unless it comes from God.

Of course, you've heard this before...alpha and omega, but it also resonates deeply with a Muslim perspective. I think any genuine religion-as a lived experience-tends to build bridges, see similarities, erase useless distinctions. Perhaps it is the other way around as well: those who try and connect, listen, are already in some sense 'religious'? If one does not have faith or an 'object of love' that is transcendental then what?  Is there some truth to the belief that if one desires something enough it becomes valuable, is valuable? Or must we say that only the inherently desirable is desired, truly desired?

On the one had, you're inclined to go against the 'taste model' since it would be odd to think that, for example, an irresistible desire for drugs was of any value. On the other, to ignore subjectivity or the personal point of view is a bit like saying an 'objectively' not so attractive woman cannot be desired. (Of course, using such analogies itself is indicative, you might say, of the problem at hand).