Fighting the Good Fight

 

I often find myself in a cycle when it comes to sharing political content online. Initially, I feel strongly compelled to post about issues I care deeply about and engage in the discussions. However, after a while, my own posts can become overwhelming and a source of anxiety due to the often divisive and upsetting nature of online political discourse. 

This leads me to eventually delete those very posts. It's crucial to understand that this isn't because my convictions have weakened or because I'm afraid to express my political views – quite the opposite. My desire to share comes from a genuine place of wanting to make my voice heard. However, I've also made a conscious decision to curate my social media into a space that offers a counter-narrative to the negativity and anger that can easily dominate online interactions. 

The world can feel saturated with hurtful news and conflict, and my hope is that my corner of the internet can be a place where light, hope, refreshment, and love can prevail. I firmly believe in 'fighting the good fight' and staying engaged with important issues, but for me, that fight looks less like constant public debate on my personal feed and more like actively nurturing a positive environment, both for my own well-being and for those who connect with me here. It's about contributing to the good in a different way, by offering a space for respite and encouragement amidst the often turbulent online landscape.

Crucially, I want to emphasize that I hold absolutely no judgment for those who choose to engage with political issues online in a more direct or consistent manner. I understand and respect that there are many valid and necessary ways to advocate for change and make one's voice heard. My approach is simply what feels most sustainable and beneficial for my own mental well-being and the kind of online space I personally wish to cultivate. We are all navigating this complex world and the digital landscape in our own ways, and I believe that diverse approaches to engagement are ultimately valuable.

Love,

+Brian

Jesus Called Out Political Leaders of His Day, Be Like Jesus!

 

Psalm 82

A Psalm of Asaph.

82 God has taken his place in the divine council;

    in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:

2 “How long will you judge unjustly

    and show partiality to the wicked? Selah

3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;

    maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.

4 Rescue the weak and the needy;

    deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding,

    they walk about in darkness;

    all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 I said, “You are gods,

    sons of the Most High, all of you;

7 nevertheless, like men you shall die,

    and fall like any prince.”

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth;

    for you shall inherit all the nations!

Dear Folks,

We live in a world and a society often consumed by the clamor of political discourse, a world where opinions clash, and divisions seem to deepen with each passing day. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to be salt and light in this world, but how are we to navigate the often-turbulent waters of politics? How do we engage in discussions that can be so fraught with tension and disagreement? To find our way, we must look to the life and teachings of our Lord, for his journey unfolded within a political landscape as complex and challenging as our own.

The Gospels paint a vivid picture of first-century Judea, not merely as a backdrop for spiritual pronouncements, but as a land firmly under the thumb of the Roman Empire. This was a world of occupation, where resentment simmered beneath the surface, and power struggles were rife. To truly grasp the impact of Jesus’ message, we must understand this deeply political context. Rome’s presence was not just about foreign soldiers; it permeated the very structure of governance, often through local rulers like Herod, who were seen by many as collaborators with the imperial power. Judea itself eventually came under direct Roman administration, ruled by prefects like Pontius Pilate. This constant presence of foreign power fostered a longing for liberation and a deep-seated tension within the Jewish populace.

Within this framework of Roman dominance, the Jewish religious authorities also wielded significant, though limited, political influence. The High Priest in Jerusalem acted as a crucial intermediary between the Roman prefect and the Jewish community. The Temple, the center of Jewish religious life, also held significant economic and political sway. Moreover, Jewish society was internally divided, with various sects holding differing political and theological viewpoints, adding to the overall instability. Against this backdrop of occupation and division, the hope for the Messiah burned brightly, a hope that carried strong political overtones, with many anticipating a deliverer who would restore Jewish sovereignty. Even the ministry of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus, was not immune to political realities, ultimately leading to his arrest by Herod Antipas.

Jesus’ own ministry emerged within this politically charged environment. His interactions with Roman authorities, particularly his trial before Pontius Pilate, reveal the inherent political dimensions of his life. The charges leveled against him were not solely religious; they were framed in political terms – perverting the nation, forbidding the payment of taxes to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king. When Pilate asked, "Are you the king of the Jews?" Jesus’ response, "My kingdom is not of this world," offers a profound insight into how we, as Christians, should understand the relationship between earthly and heavenly authority. While acknowledging the reality of earthly power, Jesus points to a different, transcendent realm of authority. His teaching on paying taxes – "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's" – provides a crucial framework. It acknowledges the legitimacy of secular authority in its own sphere while firmly asserting the ultimate authority of God. This delicate balance calls us to be responsible citizens while never forgetting our primary allegiance lies with the Kingdom of God.

Jesus’ interactions with the Jewish authorities also held significant political undertones. The Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish council, possessed both religious and political authority under Roman oversight. Jesus’ frequent clashes with the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians often revolved around interpretations of the law that had direct implications for social order and political power. His criticisms of their hypocrisy and self-righteousness challenged their authority and influence among the people. Even his deliberate association with marginalized groups, tax collectors and those considered "sinners," was a politically subversive act, challenging the established social hierarchies and the authority of those who benefited from them.

The concept of the "Kingdom of God," central to Jesus’ message, carried profound political implications. In a world where "kingdom" referred to earthly rule, Jesus’ use of this term to describe God’s reign was inherently political. For his Jewish audience, living under Roman rule, the "Kingdom of God" evoked hopes for liberation and justice. Jesus’ vision of this Kingdom served as a direct challenge to the "domination system" of the Roman Empire, offering an alternative sovereign authority in God. His teachings, such as "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," express a desire for God's justice and peace to permeate all aspects of life, including the political sphere. Yet, Jesus made it clear that this Kingdom was not to be established through earthly power or violence, but through love, sacrifice, and the transformation of hearts.

Jesus’ actions, like the cleansing of the Temple, were not merely religious acts but also direct challenges to the economic and political status quo. His disruption of the money changers and sellers exposed the corruption and self-interest that had infiltrated the heart of religious life, activities deeply intertwined with the political power structures of Judean society. This bold act enraged the religious leaders, contributing to their desire to see him silenced.

So, how does all of this inform our engagement with politics today? We learn from Jesus that our faith cannot be divorced from the realities of the world around us, including the political sphere. We are called to be aware of the systems of power and to engage with them thoughtfully and critically. We are to render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, fulfilling our civic duties, participating in our communities, and upholding just laws. However, our ultimate allegiance remains to God and his Kingdom. This means we must evaluate all earthly powers and political ideologies through the lens of the Gospel.

Jesus’ example calls us to engage with politics not with the aim of earthly domination or the pursuit of self-interest, but with the values of the Kingdom of God: love, justice, mercy, humility, and service. We are called to advocate for the marginalized, to speak truth to power, and to challenge unjust structures. Our political engagement should be marked by respect for those with whom we disagree, a commitment to truth and integrity, and a willingness to listen and understand different perspectives. Just as Jesus challenged the norms of his time, we too may find ourselves challenging the prevailing political and social norms when they contradict the values of God’s Kingdom.

To remain silent or indifferent to the political realities that shape our communities and world can be a profound disservice to the teachings of Christ. To claim ignorance of the impact of political decisions on the vulnerable, the oppressed, and the very fabric of society can be a form of willful blindness, neglecting the call to love our neighbors as ourselves. To shrink back from engaging in the public square with the convictions of our faith, perhaps out of fear of controversy or a desire for worldly approval, can be a form of spiritual cowardice, failing to be the salt and light Jesus called us to be. Indeed, when we consciously choose to absent ourselves from the pursuit of justice and the establishment of righteous governance, we risk aligning ourselves with the forces that perpetuate injustice, a stance that stands in stark contrast to the very essence of Christ's mission to bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, and freedom to the oppressed. Our faith is not a private matter confined to the walls of our churches; it is a transformative power meant to shape every aspect of our lives, including our engagement with the earthly kingdom in anticipation of the heavenly one.

Folks, let us engage in political discussions with humility and grace, remembering that we are first and foremost citizens of God’s Kingdom. Let our words and actions reflect the love of Christ, seeking not to win arguments but to build bridges, to heal divisions, and to work towards a more just and peaceful world, a world where God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Love,

+Br'er Abbot

More Equal than Others

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

- George Orwell, Animal Farm

A friend of mine recently made a post on Facebook that referenced a quote from George Orwell's satirical novel Animal Farm. (Thanks Kate!)  It was a picture from an ATM she visited of a note posted on the machine itself:  

"The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."

Honestly, I had all but forgotten about that book and its relevance today.  Another quote surfaced in my mind as I began to remember:

"All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others."

This seemingly contradictory statement serves as a powerful critique of totalitarianism and the abuse of power. It highlights the dangers of hierarchical societies where certain individuals or groups are granted privileges and advantages over others, despite the rhetoric of equality.

Orwell's quote remains eerily relevant in today's world, where we see similar power dynamics playing out in various social and political contexts. The gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen, with the top 1% of the population accumulating a disproportionate share of wealth and resources. This economic inequality translates into political influence, as the wealthy elite often have greater access to lawmakers and can shape policies in their favor.

Furthermore, the quote can be applied to the concept of systemic racism and discrimination. While laws may guarantee equal rights for all citizens, the reality is that certain groups, such as racial or ethnic minorities, often face systemic barriers that limit their opportunities and perpetuate inequality.

Orwell's quote serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of vigilance against any form of inequality. In a society that truly values equality, all individuals should have equal opportunities and access to resources, regardless of their background or social status, politics or religion.

I invite you to reread the book and think about it. We're all on the farm.

Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On

I have wanted desperately to write something, anything but words fail me. I'm cycling through the stages of grief around and around again: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. It's tornado season again in the Ozarks, thanks to climate change, and I feel like I'm being buffeted and battered by an unrelenting funnel cloud of tumultuous feelings.

A song by Jimmy Buffett came to mind. It's about Katrina, a hurricane that shattered a community and shattered lives in New Orleans. We have just gone through just such a political hurricane and it too is shattering lives and shattering our country.

It speaks about what we do now. Breathe in, breathe out, move on.

Go easy on yourself for a few days. If you're like me, you're probably in shock. Feel your feelings. Scream, cry, get mad, whatever but most of all take care of yourself. Indulge in your favorite comfort food, hydrate, and rest. Stay out of of the news cycle and off of social media. Don't feed the emotional storm with hot air. There'll be plenty of time to catch up on that stuff later. Take care of you and those whom you love.

Breathe in, breathe out, move on...

Love,
+Brian

Perchance to Hope

Spoiler alert: Star Trek Discovery

I'm about to let my geek colors fly and embrace my inner nerdiness.  You have been forewarned.

I've always been a fan of Star Trek created by Gene Roddenberry and his vision for our future, a brave future exploring strange new worlds, seeking out new life and new civilizations, and boldly going where no one has gone before. 

In short, because volumes could be written on the topic,  Roddenberry's vision is a type of utopia centered around human society's future evolution as we reach out to the worlds and subsequent civilizations around us within the stars.  It's a time in earth's future when we've evolved to a point, not of perfection, but to one of being able to look beyond our more selfish individual base instincts to one of reaching out to other.  Other in terms of others not apparent, on the surface, to be like us at all; other in terms of embracing the inalienable reality of the importance of respecting life outside of ourselves; other in terms of attempting to understand, support, and embrace infinite diversity within infinite combinations; other in terms of the immutable truth that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is for everyone, not just ourselves.  This is what Star Trek has always meant to me.  This is the vantage point from which I go forth into my own exploration of life in the universe around me.  That's why "To Love So Well The World" exists for me as a blog. Homo sum; humani nihil a me alienum puto.

Yesterday something I watched made me weep almost uncontrollably, multiple times. No, not the presidential debate, sad as it was, but rather the newest episode of Star Trek Discovery.  I would suggest that if you don't want to encounter a SPOILER DO NOT READ ANY FURTHER.

In the third season of Star Trek Discovery, the intrepid crew of the USS Discovery has been forced, in order to save the universe, to leave their own time period in a one way trip and head into the very distant and unknown future.  In this new future, they discover that the United Federation of Planets (UFP), once a great unifying force in the galaxy dedicated to the above mentioned vision and it's exploratory arm Starfleet has been all but destroyed.  They then begin their quest to unravel the mystery of what has brought down the United Federation of Planets and all they hold dear while at the same time trying to discover what this means to them, their identity, and their mission.

Much like another Star Trek series, Star Trek Voyager which follows the lives of the crew of the USS Voyager who have been displaced on the other side of the galaxy in relation to their home in the Alpha Quadrant, the crew of the USS Discovery must learn what it means to follow the vision and goals of the UFP while essentially being on their own, displaced in time, while experiencing life threatening challenges.

Without getting into to much plot and scene work here, suffice it to say, their moving commitment to the ideals of the Federation and as such, Gene Roddenberry, and by extrapolation, the ideals of the United States is heart moving.  When faced with becoming something else, something less than, and betraying those ideals mentioned above in order to expedite their plight or save their very lives, they choose instead to make a stand, asserting:  "That is not who we are; that is not what we're about.  We're Starfleet."  And I wept.

I wept in large part because I think we as Americans are in the middle of a existential election and have been losing our way.  In the past 3-4 years we've embraced a political reality that is diametrically opposed to those ideals mentioned above and the ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. Other is now dangerous, less than, and somehow wicked because other is not like us.  We seem to be embracing a world where it's okay to make fun of people for whatever reason; to name call in order to denigrate and diminish other; to boldly lie about anything and everything even in the face of verifiable reality and truth to the contrary; to warp cultural understanding of reality into something it's not because we fear to lose our own personal identity and reality; to disregard science and verifiable fact in service of personal preference or convenience; to abuse other families and children through killing, separation, and caging because they are not like us, their skin is a different color or their gender and or sexuality is different than ours and we fear them.  These are just some of the ways we seem to have gone off track.  And I wept.

I hope we can find our way back to our mission, back to our goals, back to our ideals instead of embracing this fear filled and self-focused isolationism that we seem to have embraced over the last 3-4 years.  I hope we can once again embrace the Great Experiment and the noble and bold goals it embodies.  I hope that we can again be the United States of America, albeit not a perfect union, but one committed to the ideals enshrined in the Declaration of Independence.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

And now perchance to hope...

Heroes

 

 

I am not a flag waving kind of person. My patriotism is a very personal and private thing for me. I have too much respect for our flag to treat it frivolously, salaciously, or manipulatively. I have never even flown a flag at my home because I was concerned that, with my kind of schedule, I couldn't give it the respect and care that it deserves.

I am also not a huge fan of war nor do I elevate our service people to the level of celebrity or worship as many do. I do, however, have a deep respect for the danger in which they place themselves for what we call service to our country. For that act alone, they are heroes in my book. 

I feel that way about all of our first responders, paramedics, police officers, firefighters et cetera. They are, in their own way and in their own time, heroes. However, so are our teachers, nurses, doctors, and all of our essential employees and in fact everyone is a hero to someone.

In my everyday walk often I'll smile at someone doing a job that impacts my life in some way, be they a convenience store clerk, fast food employee, customer service rep, or whatever and say to them, "you're my hero!" They always brighten up and flash a genuine humble smile. In that moment, with those simple words, you give acknowledgement to their lives, their worth, and their seen and or unseen struggles. You are saying to them that, "I see you. I value you. I appreciate you." 

We all have the opportunity to be, and indeed are, everyday heroes within the scope of our lives. Not everyday or in every way but all of us are at times heroic and make a difference to one another. 

I find it telling and deeply disturbing that our President speaks the way he does about people. I hate the name calling. I hate the belittling. I hate the divisiveness. I hate the casual brutality of his constant dismissiveness of anything that doesn't serve his ego, image, or agenda. I hate his presidency for what it has done to our society socially, psychologically, and spiritually.  Be that as it may, even he, the 45th President of the United States is a hero to many and that, my friend, is something that we need to acknowledge, try to understand, and wrestle with.