Hello online study participants!
Chapter Two opens with an admission of sorts from Parker Palmer. As a privileged, white American male since birth he admits that citizenship was an automatic kind of thing for him. He also questions what most of us see as citizenship, and wonders if we boil own our citizenship to partisan political activities that many (if not most) American citizens find unsavory, instead of considering our citizenship every day in our normal activities. He thinks that many of us believe "what's good for me and mine comes first" before we begin contributing to the community. Do you agree?
In the section, Faith and Doubt in politics, Parker states that he believes in three things: Democracy, American Political Institutions and the Human Heart. Do you?
Parker eloquently describes his visit to Americus, Georgia where he attends a church Bible study with three congregation members. What struck you the most about his story? Have you ever been in a situation when you have dramatically underestimated the dignity of "the other"? What happened?
Parker claims that at their core, Christianity, Islam and Judaism have compassion and hospitality as founding principals. Why do you think we have so many problems living in a religiously pluralistic democracy here in the U.S.?
Parker claims that we are a people that are inherently pulled between individualism on one side, and interdependence on the other. Do you agree? Where, in society, do you see this played out?
It is true that we are interconnected, and there are so many places where we can do more for the good of society than we can do alone: healthcare, education, roads, social reform. Yet, we are also separate individuals with different gifts and abilities. We group ourselves in tribes with others who are kinda like us. Often our first and best efforts go towards the "like us" group rather than the "other". It's a constant juggling act to balance needs of wider community with self, something I struggle with all the time. How about you?
With humility and chutzpah,
Pastor Jenn
I think Palmer is right that we seek for self first before considering community (which I think Jesus would have a real problem with).
ReplyDeleteI like how he uses Lincoln's "better angels of our nature" for us to consider how we have the power to create & uphold or destroy.
The poem he ends with reminds us that in community we hold hands together because it is too dangerous to go it alone! (in life and in a democracy)
Yes, it is certainly human nature to help oneself first, which is kinda what Jesus kept poking at in the gospels? And yet, so many Christians are concerned in personal salvation. Maybe salvation is meant to be broader than that, a communal thing.
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Kurt. I liked that closing poem so much I posted it on Facebook!