Ado made much ado about religion. He was very religious. He was constantly religious. He was thoroughgoingly religious. He taught others. He taught others to be very religious. He taught others to be constantly religious. He taught others to be thoroughgoingly religious. He is a saint because there was no room in his life or in the lives of those under his rule for anything BUT religion and religiousness. Thoroughgoing religiousness.

Is this a good thing?? A bad thing?? Read the way in which Butler so glowingly extols Ado:

Religion alone can make mankind good and happy; and those who act under its influence are steady in the disinterested pursuits of every virtue, and in the discharge of every duty, even toward the world, their families and themselves. To sum up the whole character of this good prelate in two words, Ado knew all the obligations of his post, and discharged them with the utmost exactness and fidelity.

Where to begin with deconstructing this world view? First, the idea that the only thing that can make humans good and happy people is religion both is utter nonsense and makes no sense whatsoever. Good people exist who have nothing to do with religion, and even religious people are made happy by things not related to religion in any discernible sense–things like a child’s laughter, a word of friendship from someone who is not religious, a victory by the Pittsburgh Steelers over the New England Patriots.

Next, the idea that “good and happy” is equated with “disinterested pursuits of every virtue”–really?! Sucking passion and discovery (let alone adventure) out of one’s pursuits is a pathway to goodness and happiness? Just settling in and doing whatever it takes to be patient and kind is a pathway to joy? As if working at patience and kindness is a worthy (let alone effective) use of one’s efforts?

Consider how the Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, actually turns this whole drone idea on its head: Paul states that whenever one imbibes holy spirit deeply, partaking of that which stirs and enlivens our deadened (dare I say “disinterested,” too?) souls, then these wonderful things come to fruition, as day follows night: love! and joy! and peace, patience, and kindness! goodness, too! And also faithfulness, humility, and even self-control! And, Paul ecstatically continues, no government anywhere can legislate against these fruit of the spirit! (See the Epistle to the Galatians, especially Chapter 5.)

It doesn’t strike me as a bad thing that Ado knew all the expectations and duties laid upon him and carried them out with exactitude, year after year. No, not bad…only kinda sad. He deserved passion and joy and delight and tears–just as you do now! If a religion cannot offer these, how much good news does it have, and what is its point, exactly?