Moral Autonomy v. Manipulative Character

"Corporatism is about crushing the capacity for moral choice."

[irony: even as it "increases" individual choice]

I read this line in an article called "America is in Need of a Moral Bailout." While the author's language is quite vituperative, I think his main point is a good one: Corporations have a manipulative character that has subverted our morals.

And to make matters worse, we have been complicit in their endeavor to the point that we now feel enraged yet helpless. "Who am I in the face of such greed, gluttony and malice?"

In this time of grave economic instability, we each need to take responsibility for ourselves and our own moral compass, or what Kant referred to as "moral autonomy."

Now, it is true that we learn how to behave within our social interactions with others (see Rene Girard's Theory of Mimetic Desire). But each of us is a member of society, and therefore we each can have an effect, however small, on the whole.

Therefore, let us be renewed for peace, love and equality,
repenting from our jealous, self-justifying and selfish ways.

And let us believe in a world where there is more love, peace and hope, and less hatred, war and despair.

It's Official: Red Meat Kills

Em and I are experimenting with going vegetarian... and in the process are doing a detox diet consisting of lemon juice, maple syrup, water and a dash of cayenne - for 10 days(!).

Now, I'm all up for a challenge, but I'm also the guy who likes his meat rare, soft and juicy. Tofu just doesn't come close. So boy am I missing a hamburger right now!

Yet after reading this article, where daily consumption of red meat increases my chances of dying in the next 10 years by 30%, I have some questions to share:

- Will mortality keep me from these red, delicious juices?
- What's life without the pleasure of enjoying it?
- Can I enjoy life without meat?
- Can my habits and tastes and desires change?

A part of me hopes I can ditch red meat, live longer and enjoy other foods... and another part of me mourns the red-juicy-ness I'd be losing.

I suppose only time will tell if my desires for red meat will be satisfied or denied... and another desire takes its place.

Mmmm... now back to my lemony-juicy-syrup.

Inauguration Prayer

After such an incredible benediction from Rev. Dr. Lowery yesterday, I was inspired to write an inauguration prayer of my own, giving allusions to various works ("answers" below).

Inauguration Prayer

We know that progress is often an illusion of our finite minds,
Still, we cannot help but to celebrate what has happened this week.

The dream is no longer deferred. That dream has come.

In this New World
May we lend a helping hand
An open mind
And a hoping heart
Especially to the least of these

May our actions be full of compassion, grace & mercy,
Knowing that all good gifts come from you, the Father of Lights

May the hopes of this nation not rest on one man,
But be grounded in the hope we find in you, in Christ your Only Child
Who lived a life of love, service and devotion to you

Just as he was your beloved, we too are your beloved children.
May we remember that all of us are beloved by you
Give us the courage and strength to do your will
And hold us and mold us in your motherly love
As it is in your heavenly reign

May your abundant graces
Of Hope
Possibility
And Love
rain down on ALL peoples in this New World

Let us go outside and play in the rain –
And let the tears splash all over us

Amen.

Allusions:
Langston Hughes, "Dream Deferred";
Movie: "What Dreams May Come"; "that dream has come."
James 1:17; "Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights"
Dave Matthews Band, "#41": "Why don't you go out in the rain and let the tears splash all over you"

Inauguration Benediction

I just finished watching Barack Obama's Inauguration Speech - quite wonderful. I would like to go back and read it, and hear what others are saying about it.

In the meantime, let me direct you to Dr. Rev. Joseph Lowery's Benediction. A Methodist minister, Dr. Rev. Lowery co-founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Dr. MLK, Jr. He practically stole the show with his amazing imagery and astute humor, brilliantly capturing the seriousness and levity of the moment. In case you missed it or want to see it again, watch it below (read it here):



After watching this, I must say, words still do matter.

And for those who missed it, U2 performing "Pride" and "City of Blinding Lights" on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in front of Obama, Biden & a whole slew of other people (from yesterday's MLK Celebration of Service Day):



U2 - Best Band Ever.

Do Words Still Matter?

I'm in the middle of a second semester of Greek, where we're learning to accurately translate the Biblical Greek of the New Testament. We're not only learning what words mean but in what sense, tense, mood, etc. based on usage, context and pointing. I'm happy enough with just getting the gist of what the words mean, since no one really knows exactly what was the author's original intent.

This experience reminds me of a thought I've had previously: in a postmodern world, where meaning is contingent on context rather than having absolute meaning (that is, truth with a small "t" rather than a big "T"), does nitpicking over words really matter? Are we spending too much time debating semantics rather than focusing on a larger common ground that might mean different things to different people? It's the sentiment that asks, Can't we all just get along?

I remember when Darfur was first coming onto the international news cycle, there was noticeable talk about how the Bush administration was not using the word "genocide" in referring to the, well, genocide. I think it was Colin Powell who first used the word as then-Secretary of State, and the news analysts all debated if this word usage would force the US to act decisively.

Now here we are in 2009, and the genocide continues in Darfur, unabated. The US has made a few strides to stop the genocide, but haven't used all available options - and thus the people of Darfur continue to be slaughtered, maimed and raped of their human dignity. Here is an instance where words should matter, but they don't lead to any substantial action.

And after years of being told by Pres. Bush that we as a nation do not torture, in this most recent WP article, the top overseer of the military trials for Guantanamo Bay detainees, Susan Crawford has declared the sum total of the interrogation methods used on the alleged 20th-9/11 hijacker to be torture. Yes, that's right. We, the US of A, have tortured our alleged enemies. Thus we have lost any ground to object to questionable interrogations of our own citizens and soldiers. Our righteous words cease to matter, for the actions of our hands have negated the words from our mouths.

Will anything happen? I doubt it. Words are cheap. Anyone can blog. Anyone can spout. But where is the action? Where is the change? We're inundated with words on the 15-min news cycle, the talk shows and the conversations we have with each other. But if these words do not translate into concrete action, I fear all this talk is for nought.

Actions speak louder than words. Let us act with our hearts and minds, speaking truth as we see it and showing people we mean what we say in the way we treat each other with respect, dignity and love.

A Call to Rest

This post from UTNE Magazine is an incredible plea for us to get more rest. The post is actually an excerpt from an article by Matt Carmichael, a writer, teacher & activist, in the magazine Resurgence, which aims to raise the awareness of spiritual and ecological issues

He breaks down the forms of tiredness we feel during the day:
Sleepiness: When we're so tired we don't function properly
Fatigue: When we're tired of what we're doing; tired of our activities
Ennui: When we're tired (bored) of what we have
Satiation: When we're tired of consumption

The answer? Get more rest. And this will mean sacrifice; namely, choosing not to do some of the things we currently feel compelled to do.

What can you stop doing today? How will rest help you to focus more on other activities? How can getting more sleep help you be more productive and enjoy your "waking life"?

All That Has Ever Been Hoped For

Sometimes I ask myself why I'm in seminary. I think it's a good question to ask, however scary. One of Emily's friends is in law school, doesn't enjoy it and is struggling. I enjoy seminary a lot and feel quite comfortable here, but the question of "why seminary?" can quickly lead to "so what are you going to do next?"

Recently, I have been leaning more towards seeking out a teaching role rather than a pastoral role. Not only does the idea of being a role model for high schoolers and teaching them how to think with more nuance excite me, but also having so much more contact time with them than the average parish ministry. I'm interested in community building and teaching people not to just deconstruct their world but also reconstruct

In the meantime, I'm in Seminary, wondering why I'm here, "searching for the living among the dead." I found this post to have a very thoughtful answer:

“I'm searching through all that has ever been hoped, in praise of what can never be known.”

In praise of always searching and never knowing,
yet ever hoping.