Responsibility

This is effectively attempt number two of my experiment I initiated earlier this week.  As with all experimental trials, some things work, others simply don’t.  So for this post, I’ll redirect my scalpel in an attempt to hit a different nerve.  Though I received two excellent comments from a couple readers, I’m not sure I hit the nerve I was hoping to.  And please remember, I am merely carrying out these observations in an attempt to spark conversation for positive change in the world.  I know that deep within the bowels of our being, we all want to be apart of something positive, affecting measurable compassionate transitions in the lives of people and in the overall life of this world we live in.

Thus, I issue my challenge again.  If you take time to read through this post, though it may be offensive or seem a bit curt, please be apart of the “conversation” and post even a short comment of your thoughts.  Maybe I’m being a bit optimistic and idealistic thinking that a random collection of blog readers and writers who likely disagree about a lot of stuff could actually work together to do good, but I like to aim high rather than wallow in my own self pity, throwing responsibility on someone else for the junk in the world.  So please, join us!

After a much longer intro than I was expecting, I’ll jump right to it.  In doing so, I’ll try to address some of the most taboo issues I can think of.

Responsibility.  I’ve got a couple thoughts.  First, let’s talk some politics.  Specifically, abortion.  Again, I’m arguing with an already constructed religious foundation that I hope to repurpose as a means to make a tangible, positive difference in this world, now.  We gripe and complain all the time about the politics surrounding these taboo issues.  I would even argue that Christians, especially in this country, are really good at making our disagreement known.  Here’s the problem: we disagree with the legislation, yet we are unwilling to provide an alternative.  As far as abortion goes, yes, I agree that there are many factors that play into that decision, no matter what side of the fence you’re on.  I’m not sure that I could argue for or against either side based upon my experience of almost losing my wife and child, unbeknownst to me.  Had I of known the severity of our situation, we would find ourselves in a very different state of affairs right now.

Back to the point at hand.  Traditionally, us evangelicals are perfectly okay with our blood pressure raising to dangerously high levels simply because we won’t bend on our pro life stance.  Now referring back to the notion of responsibility, I would argue that if we really are followers of Christ, we’d realize that pro life and pro choice are simply not adequate answers.  In my opinion, to hell with wasting our time trying to convince people to “join one team or the other.”  Who wants to join me in opening up my life and my home to women who are faced with that decision?  If you’re not willing to engage in someone’s life, even to the point of holding their hand as the procedure is finalized or taking their child into your home, you have no business even thinking you can tell someone what they can and cannot do.  Oh and I know, we can argue all day long about what the Bible says and all that jazz, but it’s likely we don’t know the same Jesus anyway if you think being a good christian means convincing me to think the same things as you do.  Just take a look at who Jesus spent most of his time with, and if you need help with some of the historical background, I’ll be glad to point you to some awesome resources.

My contention is this: don’t depend on the government to tell you how you are supposed to behave and act on behalf of your fellow humans.  Act as Jesus, which is usually not written in any law, either political or religious law.

Responsibility.  Second point and hopefully a short thought.  Slavery.  I think that hopefully, we can all agree that our world is a better place now that that sort of human exploitation is in the past.  Or is it?  One of the most popular criticisms of God is a question that wonders, how can a good god allow suffering in the world.  I would contest that its not so much God allowing it as it is we who are perpetuating the slavery and poverty of the world.  Here’s one example and then I’ll postpone for another post.  Do any of you know where your favorite pair of Nike shoes or Gucci hand bag comes from?  It is highly likely that a child not much older than my son, who is nearly four, is working for pennies a day, in horribly inhumane conditions, just so you can get your shiny new shoes at a decent price.  All the while, the parent company is making a ridiculous profit off the backs of slaves. For a humorous yet direct picture, take a look at the documentary, The Yes Men.

All in all, I maintain that if there is a group of people who will stop justifying our greedy and consumeristic lifestyles, across the board, and take some responsibility for the s*** that’s going on in the world, we can probably begin to make some positive change (in the spirit of Tony Campollo, if your more worried about the fact that I used a particular word than about the essence of the discussion, you’ve missed the point, and there’s really not much else I can do to articulate myself, and I fear this dialogue may come to an unfortunate end).  Now, don’t hear me say I don’t think there is any good happening, because that is not true at all.  In fact, it would likely be even more beneficial for us to join some of the groups that are already working to affect positive change in the world.

So let’s get the conversation going.  Let’s work to bring the kingdom of God here, now.  Let’s quit wasting time trying to convince each other to join our team or think like we do or categorize ourselves in the same political party. Forget all that stuff and let’s follow Jesus into the hurting places of the world and take some responsibility for what’s happening.  I believe that it is in that place that we’ll find God within us all, while at the same time discovering our true selves, being vital pieces of a much bigger and grander concept of life in abundance.

An Experiment in Living

I want to begin this post by issuing a challenge and the challenge is this: If you choose to read through this entire post, please post a comment.  I don’t want to break some sort of wordpress comment record or win a popularity contest, rather I’m much more interested in conversation, in as much as this neutral arena allows.  And even more than conversation for conversation’s sake, I hope to address a serious illness that we’ve all been infected with.  In short, I label it as clamming up, or judgement.  Especially in a time where we read an article or opinion and instead of talking about our feelings, we simply cast judgements like mortars instead of working through our own insecurities.

So let’s try this out.  Share your honest feelings, and don’t feel the need to filter who you are.  Something else that we have issues with is the bogus idea that we are supposed to be all put together, prim and proper in all of our interactions.  Sub-challenge: be yourself.  If you don’t buy the status quo, say it.  If you’re questioning all this religion stuff, share it.  Let’s be real, because in accepting who we really are, we can actually make some positive progress instead of trying to work from a place that we don’t even buy into.  Let the experiment begin.

(Just know, it’s entirely possible that something I say could rub you wrong, but let’s talk about it.)

I’ve been wondering for quite a while, especially during this time of heated political vernacular, what is most important?  I am speaking from the religious camp because that’s what I know, so I feel like I’ve got a little bit of credibility.  So for those of us who would consider ourselves spiritual people, why is it that we spend the majority of our time railing on our political system?  Can we honestly claim allegiance to the realm of God if, without batting an eye, we proudly sing the star spangled banner while removing our hats, covering our hearts and worshipping “the land of the free?”  Do you really believe that this country was founded on “Godly principles” and that the statement on our currency is at the forefront of our governing authorities’ minds?  On a side note, I would argue that the inscription on our coin should be “In this god we trust.”  Essentially, I would argue that I have two choices, and I’m cautious to spell them out, nonetheless I will.  I am either a disciple of Jesus (someone who journeys with him), in the absolute fullest sense of the word, or I am loyal to the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Second, why in the world do Christian people get upset when our screwed up, broken government is doing, or attempting to do, the job we are supposed to do?  By that I mean, providing some pretty basic human needs such as health care, food (state and government run food banks) and shelter.  I would argue further that we’ve bought into a toxic lie that it’s our governments job to take care of people in as much as they don’t take any more of my hard earned money.  Basically we are saying, “it’s not my responsibility to take care of other people, so you take care of it.  And by the way, don’t bother asking me to help because I’ll just get my ass chapped.”  Anyone else picking up on how ridiculous a notion this is?  Find me an example of something Jesus taught that says taking care of people is someone else’s responsibility and over everything, covering your own hind end is most important.  If your honest, you won’t find anything.

And one final thought for today that will hopefully spark some more discussion.  There are a couple of phrases that us religious folks like to throw around.  Let’s agree to disagree and Love the sinner, hate the sin.  Just a couple thoughts and I’ll be finished.  I’m of the opinion that these two phrases are due some serious criticism.  My first issue with both of them is that they absolve us of any responsibility to make positive change.  When we agree to disagree, why not just say, “I’d rather not work through this.  I have my opinion, which is right, and you have yours, which is wrong.”  And can we honestly say that we love the sinner and hate the sin?  In opinion, no.  The assumption there is that for someone to “join our ranks” they’ve got to be different.  For now, feel free to spare the arguments of “in such-and-such verse of the Bible…”  Let’s quit Bible beating.  It’s not our job to fix others, or ourselves for that matter.  Who’s to say we aren’t supposed to be busted up, screwed up morons?  If someone told me they loved me, but not what I do, I’m checked out because what I do is part of who I am.  If you can’t love me for the person I am, including the things that rub you wrong, then what are we doing?  Let’s just draw some more lines and create yet another “us and them” game.

Hopefully I’ve said something that’s offensive to you and that you are willing to talk about it.  Otherwise, I’m not sure we’ll be able to make any progress.  I look forward to the questions, thoughts and even concerns.  And let’s not keep it at “I’ll argue my point and then leave.”  We need to talk if we honestly desire positive change in this world.  If you’d rather remain immersed in your own life and looking out for number one, that’s fine.  Just admit it so I know where you stand.  I don’t care either way.  And one thing I know for sure, it’s not beneficial to anyone if you can’t be yourself.

So, let’s see how this works.  I eagerly await the possibilities.  Thanks in advance for participating.