All religious traditions have ethical concerns and many hold to a view of what the Christian understands to be the "Golden Rule". But, how one understands the "Golden Rule" is as various as the people who acknowledge it.
People hold to different values, depending on their cultural contexts and the values that are most important. In cultures where there is no freedom, whether in communist or traditionlist, the cultural climate is determined by government officials, or sacred texts. These culture's do not have "free reign" to understand the "Golden Rule" because what is done is "duty bound" to tradition or governmental authority.
In the West, we hold to individual's freedoms, where the individual can choose his "way of life" depending on the values that are most important. The "Golden Rule" could be a value of two individuals, but look different in how that is applied in one's life. This is because in politically free societies, the individual can choose how to prioritize their values. If a Republican believes in the free market, then he would affirm that value to another and argue for its "value" in regards to others; while a Democrat would argue for the "greater good", more a sense of social responsibility. While one values, individuality, choice in economic decisions, the other values a collective conscience, in regards to those same choices. Which view is more representative of the "Golden Rule"? Freedom or Responsibility? We are free to choose and that is what is great about our nation and culture. The important thing is "are we doing what we would want to be done to us"?
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
A Woman's Cause and Seeking Justice
I just heard about a woman who sought to bring lawsuit against a large corporation's attempt to destroy her neighborhood. She sought the counsel of the Institute for Justice.
The Institute for Justice seeks to protect individual rights where it concerns 'big business' interests. It is a libertarian organization.
I find that this woman's case was a case to be won, otherwise, big corporations have free reign to do as they please, leaving the individual at the mercy of their whims. This happened during the preparation for the Olympic Games in China, where many were put out of their homes because the government wanted to use their land to promote the game's image.
I respect the vision and cause of the Institute of Justice, as without the individual's representations, we are doomed to be pawns of larger interests that prey upon our rights as human beings. America holds up the indiviudual's right to liberty, because without liberty, we are slaves and we did away with slavery long ago!
The Institute for Justice seeks to protect individual rights where it concerns 'big business' interests. It is a libertarian organization.
I find that this woman's case was a case to be won, otherwise, big corporations have free reign to do as they please, leaving the individual at the mercy of their whims. This happened during the preparation for the Olympic Games in China, where many were put out of their homes because the government wanted to use their land to promote the game's image.
I respect the vision and cause of the Institute of Justice, as without the individual's representations, we are doomed to be pawns of larger interests that prey upon our rights as human beings. America holds up the indiviudual's right to liberty, because without liberty, we are slaves and we did away with slavery long ago!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Common Concerns for Societial Good
I just heard a discussion about the octupulets that were just recently born. Questions arise as to the ethical basis of the woman's decision to get pregnant and whether this was appropriate, and on what basis does one make the argument pro or con. As I was listening, it occurred to me that there is a similarity to the excess in Wall Street, and the disregard of limitation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
This woman is educated, but does not behave as if she is, because her desire for children disregards all rationale. She has no husband, and her only support is her mother. The family is also in bankruptcy. These children will need health care, and possibly special education. We, the taxpayer will pay. While it is legal to pursue pregnancy, even in vitro fertilization, is it the best for all concerned? These are questions that some would resolve by highlighting the "right to life". There are larger issues to be considered.
Larger issues are alos the case concerning the excess desire at Wall Street to get the most out of another's investment, without much risk in the process. Similarly, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, under the guise of "helping", gave to those who should not have been approved their loans, because everyone deserves their fair shake at owning their own home.This is the free market and equal opportunity to the extreme of societal interests.
Each example highlights a problem with our country's values; desire with disregard for anyone else, greed, as to another's posessions, and a mentality of entitlement. No wonder our country is on the verge of collapse. Americans have had these values driving their interests and lives for many years, now; desire, greed and entitlement. We are a people, that do not respect other's their right to life, liberty and the pusuit of happiness!
This woman is educated, but does not behave as if she is, because her desire for children disregards all rationale. She has no husband, and her only support is her mother. The family is also in bankruptcy. These children will need health care, and possibly special education. We, the taxpayer will pay. While it is legal to pursue pregnancy, even in vitro fertilization, is it the best for all concerned? These are questions that some would resolve by highlighting the "right to life". There are larger issues to be considered.
Larger issues are alos the case concerning the excess desire at Wall Street to get the most out of another's investment, without much risk in the process. Similarly, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, under the guise of "helping", gave to those who should not have been approved their loans, because everyone deserves their fair shake at owning their own home.This is the free market and equal opportunity to the extreme of societal interests.
Each example highlights a problem with our country's values; desire with disregard for anyone else, greed, as to another's posessions, and a mentality of entitlement. No wonder our country is on the verge of collapse. Americans have had these values driving their interests and lives for many years, now; desire, greed and entitlement. We are a people, that do not respect other's their right to life, liberty and the pusuit of happiness!
The Problem of Exclusivist Claims
In all of my reading and sifting, struggling and I'm sure not understanding all of the complexities as it regards the tradition of Christian faith. One thing is for sure, there is no consensus, in regards to the text's understanding whether its hisoricity, it's meaning, and how the Church came to be.
I find that the dialogue is interesting, because it doesn't make absolute claims, but listens and stretches to understand.
I find, on the other hand, those who want to assert certainty in their exclusivist positions, are doing so for other reasons than "truth". There may be personal identity issues, or personal agendas, perhaps, even a "protection of the faith "once delivered to the saints". This stance saddens me, as it leaves large gaps in bridging an understanding among religious traditions, that would lend itself to human compassion, instead of dogmatic assertions and concrete opinions that harden one's attitude and approach to those who disagree.
I just heard today that the public schools were doing education in diverse religious traditions, helping students to understand another's traditon. I think this is a good exercise for minds to be expanded and hearts enlarged.
The Christian Church has much to loose, however, in opening up the discussion to others that differ in views. Although I do believe that culture is influenced by tradition, it isn't always in a positive way. Absolute claims are those that breed radicalism and an irrationality that leads to emotional reactions, instead of a steady and rational dialogue. We need more of the later in our world today, not the former.
I am hoping that those who are apologists will at least concede that their claims also "bridge a gap" of understanding within history. Whether one believes Scripture is historical or not, still need to admit that history is not a science of certain claims of exclusive interpretive texts.
I find that the dialogue is interesting, because it doesn't make absolute claims, but listens and stretches to understand.
I find, on the other hand, those who want to assert certainty in their exclusivist positions, are doing so for other reasons than "truth". There may be personal identity issues, or personal agendas, perhaps, even a "protection of the faith "once delivered to the saints". This stance saddens me, as it leaves large gaps in bridging an understanding among religious traditions, that would lend itself to human compassion, instead of dogmatic assertions and concrete opinions that harden one's attitude and approach to those who disagree.
I just heard today that the public schools were doing education in diverse religious traditions, helping students to understand another's traditon. I think this is a good exercise for minds to be expanded and hearts enlarged.
The Christian Church has much to loose, however, in opening up the discussion to others that differ in views. Although I do believe that culture is influenced by tradition, it isn't always in a positive way. Absolute claims are those that breed radicalism and an irrationality that leads to emotional reactions, instead of a steady and rational dialogue. We need more of the later in our world today, not the former.
I am hoping that those who are apologists will at least concede that their claims also "bridge a gap" of understanding within history. Whether one believes Scripture is historical or not, still need to admit that history is not a science of certain claims of exclusive interpretive texts.
Faith in Text, Tradition, or Life?
Dysfunctional systems are rampant within the Old Testament Scripture. Names such as Esau and Jacob, Saul, David and Jonathan, and Samson and Delilah all conjure up images that send messages about "meaning".
While most Christians understand these stories as Christian emphasis of historical revealation of God, aren't these stories also a challenge to our "modern sensiblities"?
When Jacob stole Esau's birth-right, the Christian believes this to sanction Jacob's desire to attain the "blessing of God" at "all costs", even lying to his father, with the help of his mother? Or Saul sacrificing was "out of order", which meant that he lost the Kingdom. Saul's jealousy over David, as God's choice highlights what extent jealousy will go. While some of these truths are human truths for today, some of the "spiritualized meanings" condone spiriutalized rationale for doing things that would be against modern understandings of 'justice". Most of us in the modern world would not condone this behavior. We understand such terms as fairness, which would not affirm the O.T.'s value of "attaining God's favor" through lying or pursuing God's favor through a "priesthood"'s sacrifice. Our understanding is based on the development of our laws, which protect us from lying, stealing and subterfuge.
Just recently my grandfather met with my cousin, who is the executor of his estate. In going over all of his assests, my cousin insisted that my grandfather write up the specifics to his will. This protects his interests from others doing what Jacob did, as it is not a matter of attaining God's favor, so much as doing what is just. Justice is defined by our understanding by our laws, which is equality under law. It has nothing to do with "God's favor".
Last night, a lady shared her experience with a local business that did business according to local custom. She and husband were buying a house and put up ernest money. When a three week period went by without any response from the other party, she and her husband went to investigate, only to find out that the couple had changed their minds. To this day, the lady and her husband have not gotten their ernest money back. Local custom trumped the law. Of course, I am sure that if they had pursued the case, there would have been some recourse, but would they have higher legal fees than the ernest money they paid, in the first place?
Traditions hold sway over people's minds when it comes to undestandings of justice, fairness, right and wrong. While tradition maintains a culture's values, tradition can also be misinformed and short-sighted as to a broader context and world. Tradition works at a lower level of moral development than our Constitution or legal system.
"Biblical Christians" don't even recognize that their understanding is disconnected from the real world in this sense. They are committed to the "ideals" of a Christian reality, without understanding that these realities are traditions. And even those who base their faith understandings on the text are also ill-informed to the limitations of their view because of their particular bias. This is blindness and ignorance.
I think that reason is a gift within that must be used to inform our consciences and convictions. Tradition inhibits the full use of our reason because of fear that we might displease God, because the text or the people of God are the arbitrators of truth. Believers , in this sense, are not free, but in bondage to fear. Faith is not to bring bondage and fear, but trust in life itself. Grace is the gift to be and choose in this life without fear and torment.
While most Christians understand these stories as Christian emphasis of historical revealation of God, aren't these stories also a challenge to our "modern sensiblities"?
When Jacob stole Esau's birth-right, the Christian believes this to sanction Jacob's desire to attain the "blessing of God" at "all costs", even lying to his father, with the help of his mother? Or Saul sacrificing was "out of order", which meant that he lost the Kingdom. Saul's jealousy over David, as God's choice highlights what extent jealousy will go. While some of these truths are human truths for today, some of the "spiritualized meanings" condone spiriutalized rationale for doing things that would be against modern understandings of 'justice". Most of us in the modern world would not condone this behavior. We understand such terms as fairness, which would not affirm the O.T.'s value of "attaining God's favor" through lying or pursuing God's favor through a "priesthood"'s sacrifice. Our understanding is based on the development of our laws, which protect us from lying, stealing and subterfuge.
Just recently my grandfather met with my cousin, who is the executor of his estate. In going over all of his assests, my cousin insisted that my grandfather write up the specifics to his will. This protects his interests from others doing what Jacob did, as it is not a matter of attaining God's favor, so much as doing what is just. Justice is defined by our understanding by our laws, which is equality under law. It has nothing to do with "God's favor".
Last night, a lady shared her experience with a local business that did business according to local custom. She and husband were buying a house and put up ernest money. When a three week period went by without any response from the other party, she and her husband went to investigate, only to find out that the couple had changed their minds. To this day, the lady and her husband have not gotten their ernest money back. Local custom trumped the law. Of course, I am sure that if they had pursued the case, there would have been some recourse, but would they have higher legal fees than the ernest money they paid, in the first place?
Traditions hold sway over people's minds when it comes to undestandings of justice, fairness, right and wrong. While tradition maintains a culture's values, tradition can also be misinformed and short-sighted as to a broader context and world. Tradition works at a lower level of moral development than our Constitution or legal system.
"Biblical Christians" don't even recognize that their understanding is disconnected from the real world in this sense. They are committed to the "ideals" of a Christian reality, without understanding that these realities are traditions. And even those who base their faith understandings on the text are also ill-informed to the limitations of their view because of their particular bias. This is blindness and ignorance.
I think that reason is a gift within that must be used to inform our consciences and convictions. Tradition inhibits the full use of our reason because of fear that we might displease God, because the text or the people of God are the arbitrators of truth. Believers , in this sense, are not free, but in bondage to fear. Faith is not to bring bondage and fear, but trust in life itself. Grace is the gift to be and choose in this life without fear and torment.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Family Systems in the Church
Family systems theory is a term therapists use to describe dysfunctional families. These families have members, who play or function in different roles. I find this interesting in light of certain in-group/out-group belief systems within the Church.
In some Churches, their belief systems are based on lifestyles or cultural understandings of the "biblical". These are defined by membership commitments and also define how and what one is "approved" to do within the Church. I find that this type of Church functions on a dysfunctional model, according to family systems theory.
In understanding how this therapy's model applies to certain churches, one must undestand that there are roles that are to be "played". Roles are defined by their duties within the group-think, i.e., the hero, the scape-goat, the care-taker, the lost child, the adjuster...etc..
The scape-goat acts out the family tension and anger and distracts from the real issues at hand. The scape-goat is the one that get help first, as they are usually the one that are emotionally honest and usually end up addicted or pregnant. While the "acting out" is only the response to abuse, this role is the ones that can gain entrance into the family system.
The hero is the controller, the perfect one, the judgmental and arrogant one, but underneath, is just as much negativity toward himself. This type of dynamic is a set-up for abuse, as the scape-goat usually takes the blame himself, whereas the others within the system only center the scape-goat as the "sacrifice" to rid their own consciences.
The scape-goat is a bibilcal term that is useful for the Christ imagery of taking away sin, dying outside the camp. The scapegoat is in need of understanding themselves in a different more hopeful light, which will help them be free from their dependence to the system and help them become responsible for themselves.
When one is addicted to a certain role or function, then one can feel secure to play out that role throughout one's life. Counselling will help, but sometimes just a good friend to hold one accountable will be just as helpful.
Heroes love the applause and the accolades that come from "behaving properly", while acting arrogantly toward the scape-goat. The heroe's attempts at control sometimes lead to the banishment of the scape-goat, as his very existence reminds the hero, that he has limitations and is imperfect.
Value-based ethics pales in light of roles that hold sway over a person's character, like this. Therefore, the only solution is virtue based ethics where the scape-goat takes on his own responsibiltiy without taking on the other's. This is healing and brings accountability to the hero, as it reveals the emperor with no clothes. While this is a loving and kind way to resolve the dysfunction, it takes all of one's strength and resolve to stand, after having done all, and not be swayed into an unhealthy role again.
In some Churches, their belief systems are based on lifestyles or cultural understandings of the "biblical". These are defined by membership commitments and also define how and what one is "approved" to do within the Church. I find that this type of Church functions on a dysfunctional model, according to family systems theory.
In understanding how this therapy's model applies to certain churches, one must undestand that there are roles that are to be "played". Roles are defined by their duties within the group-think, i.e., the hero, the scape-goat, the care-taker, the lost child, the adjuster...etc..
The scape-goat acts out the family tension and anger and distracts from the real issues at hand. The scape-goat is the one that get help first, as they are usually the one that are emotionally honest and usually end up addicted or pregnant. While the "acting out" is only the response to abuse, this role is the ones that can gain entrance into the family system.
The hero is the controller, the perfect one, the judgmental and arrogant one, but underneath, is just as much negativity toward himself. This type of dynamic is a set-up for abuse, as the scape-goat usually takes the blame himself, whereas the others within the system only center the scape-goat as the "sacrifice" to rid their own consciences.
The scape-goat is a bibilcal term that is useful for the Christ imagery of taking away sin, dying outside the camp. The scapegoat is in need of understanding themselves in a different more hopeful light, which will help them be free from their dependence to the system and help them become responsible for themselves.
When one is addicted to a certain role or function, then one can feel secure to play out that role throughout one's life. Counselling will help, but sometimes just a good friend to hold one accountable will be just as helpful.
Heroes love the applause and the accolades that come from "behaving properly", while acting arrogantly toward the scape-goat. The heroe's attempts at control sometimes lead to the banishment of the scape-goat, as his very existence reminds the hero, that he has limitations and is imperfect.
Value-based ethics pales in light of roles that hold sway over a person's character, like this. Therefore, the only solution is virtue based ethics where the scape-goat takes on his own responsibiltiy without taking on the other's. This is healing and brings accountability to the hero, as it reveals the emperor with no clothes. While this is a loving and kind way to resolve the dysfunction, it takes all of one's strength and resolve to stand, after having done all, and not be swayed into an unhealthy role again.
Globalization the Market and the Economy
Yesterday, I heard on NPR that our country's financial crisis was viewed as the collapse of a pyramid type monetary scheme. This affects the global market and globalization itself...
The question posed and the answer to the crisis was to funnel money back into the economy. Thus, the stimulus package...but also, it was stated that the money had to be given to the poor, as that was the only way to ensure that the money would be funnelled back into the economy through spending...
I have two problems with this situation. One, while it may help the economy, does it help the poor really? Doesn't it breed dependence and teach irresponsiblity, by the dependence on government hand-outs and then spending, not saving or investing? What character does it breed? And what does it do for those of us who foot the bill throught taxes?
The other problem I have with this type of solution, is two fold. One, that our economic recovery will be dependent on cheap goods that are made by "slave labor" in other countries. Not only does this produce a country dependent on cheap goods made elsewhere, but it limits investments in our own country's econonmic future. Much of our economy is already owned by other rogue nattions, anyway. (will we see the collapse of our nation to these rogue nations because of our innate greed and materialism/)
Another program last night followed a graph that showed the history of the value of our money. After the Depression ("29), our money which was based on gold, was a steady horozonial line, and gradually (only slightly) increased at 1965 (gold standard devalued) and then sharply rose, as in a vertical straight line, after the Wall Street collapse...Our money it was proposed is decreasing in value at hisorically unprecedented rate. Even those of us who have been frugal, and saved, will be poor if money is devalued at this rate. I guess it's better not to be frugal based on this kind of economic evaluation. America has always been based on a free market economy, and now, the free market is no more.
There was other news last night that Mexico and our borders are seeing more problems with gang infilteration , drug smuggling, etc. What will be the future for our children and grandchildren?
Some of us are helpless to really make changes nationally, as the average citizen is at the mercy of the elite elected officials, who have their own interests to consider...which makes me wonder how much of the stimulus package is to protect those interests or to provide pay-offs before the inevitable collapst of our economy for good...
The question posed and the answer to the crisis was to funnel money back into the economy. Thus, the stimulus package...but also, it was stated that the money had to be given to the poor, as that was the only way to ensure that the money would be funnelled back into the economy through spending...
I have two problems with this situation. One, while it may help the economy, does it help the poor really? Doesn't it breed dependence and teach irresponsiblity, by the dependence on government hand-outs and then spending, not saving or investing? What character does it breed? And what does it do for those of us who foot the bill throught taxes?
The other problem I have with this type of solution, is two fold. One, that our economic recovery will be dependent on cheap goods that are made by "slave labor" in other countries. Not only does this produce a country dependent on cheap goods made elsewhere, but it limits investments in our own country's econonmic future. Much of our economy is already owned by other rogue nattions, anyway. (will we see the collapse of our nation to these rogue nations because of our innate greed and materialism/)
Another program last night followed a graph that showed the history of the value of our money. After the Depression ("29), our money which was based on gold, was a steady horozonial line, and gradually (only slightly) increased at 1965 (gold standard devalued) and then sharply rose, as in a vertical straight line, after the Wall Street collapse...Our money it was proposed is decreasing in value at hisorically unprecedented rate. Even those of us who have been frugal, and saved, will be poor if money is devalued at this rate. I guess it's better not to be frugal based on this kind of economic evaluation. America has always been based on a free market economy, and now, the free market is no more.
There was other news last night that Mexico and our borders are seeing more problems with gang infilteration , drug smuggling, etc. What will be the future for our children and grandchildren?
Some of us are helpless to really make changes nationally, as the average citizen is at the mercy of the elite elected officials, who have their own interests to consider...which makes me wonder how much of the stimulus package is to protect those interests or to provide pay-offs before the inevitable collapst of our economy for good...
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