I read this column yesterday and I want to share it with you......
Jim Carroll is a remarkable writer.....
He speaks in defense of EMPATHY........along with CIVILITY ( previously blogged about!) something we need so much.
Please tell me what you think...
You can click on:
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/08/17/in_search_of_empathy/
8 comments:
I think there is a theologic perspective to this situation which encompasses all of humanity not only Americans ( although we do seem to be a particualarly self centered culture at this point in our development). I think that clearly we are operating from a place of fear, from a place of scarcity, from a place where some individuals have " stockpiled their harvest" instead of sharing with their neighbor, from a place where we fear there won't be enough "bread and fish" to go around to feed the crowd. Both the Hebrew bible as well as Jesus teachings clearly show that we need to start from a place of gratitude, from a place of abundance, from a place of trust that indeed God will provide. When we have a change of heart that allows us to see things more and more from this perspective- it may not be easy but it is possible. We are then more able to share with our neighbors with a generous heart.
You are so right! And you really cut to the heart of the matter! THANK YOU!
The dominance of fear in many of our current policy/political discussions is all too obvious.....
Add a loss of TRUST to the loss of CIVILITY and EMPATHY...
Thanks for your reflections...
PB
I've been reflecting about my previous response and how it doesn't address the whole picture. While we are always striving to be at a place of gratitude there are times where it is appropriate to be angry. When we are the victims of injustice or see injustice, when we have lost our retirement or college savings, our jobs, our health insurance because greed and excess of those in power. While most of us in America still have more than most others in the world this climate of fear and anger is certainly understandable. I agree we do need to exercise civility butperhaps we as a people need to be more demonstative to those in power. Our GOD is certainly big enough to hear our anger especially in matters of injustice and through complaint, prayerful petition hopefully we can sustain or regain our place of gratitude and thanksgiving for the blessings we have.
I think you offer a necessary corrective here----
CIVILITY should not be misunderstood as passively yielding to injustice....
The lessons of King and Gandhi are universal......
LOVE others, but be prepared to fight PASSIONATELY for that which is right......
Remember DESIDERATA?
' As far as possible, strive to be at peace with all persons...'
I agree...........but sometimes in the name of JUSTICE...you have to outorganize them too!
PB
FOLLOWUP:
Those slaveholders just loved to have their slaves buy into a religion of PASSIVE ACCEPTANCE...
Thankfully, there were those many who found in Scripture that GOD stood on the side of justice and freedom and human dignity......
Though some resist what has been dubbed 'liberation theology', how does one separate Judaeo- Christian faith from the call to human liberation?
PB
We can not separate our faith from a call to Justice. Liberation theology can be traced to the exodus of Israelites from Egypt. The just treatment of our neighbors, laborers as well as the visitor, the widow, the orphan and other outcast is described in
Deuteronomy and certainly in the life and teachings of Jesus. But the prophets probably had the strongest voice against injustice.
And it is not a matter of liberalism vs conservativism in politics. It is central to our faith as outlined in the Bible.
I agree!!
PB
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