[Dialogue] [Oe List ...] Spirit of the 20's

[Ellie Stock]

Hi John,
Thanks for this thoughtful piece--still pondering...
We continue to work with many others at the local level in our communities, and local, regional, national, and global levels through the church and other NGOS, specifically on issues related to the environment, racial justice/white privilege, immigration, root causes of poverty/hunger, indigenous rights--trying connect as many dots/movements as possible--hoping and trusting that all such work from every corner of the globe will eventually create a groundswell of action and change.
Sometimes, it is just overwhelming.  My mantra is to work toward the vision of what needs to be, rather than focusing on being against whatever/whomever we don't like.  Not always easy.  It just may take millions of people to take to the streets to change the tide, before it is too late--for us, our grandchildren or to the seventh generation.
Looking forward to reading responses from folks.
Ellie Stock :)elliestock at aol.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: John Epps via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe at wedgeblade.net>
Cc: John Epps <jlepps39 at gmail.com>
Sent: Wed, Aug 28, 2019 4:36 pm
Subject: [Oe List ...] Spirit of the 20's

The Spirit of the 20’s
John Epps, August2019The categories for determining the spirit of a decadesupposedly come from Kierkegaard: An External Situation creates an InternalCrisis which raises an Existential Question from which we try to Escape. I’veused them in trying to assess the situation since the 60’s. Here we go again:The Prevailing Spirit:
Our External Situation is best characterized as one of THREAT.Economically, health care costs are rising astronomically, the move away fromfossil fuels and the trade war with China have put markets in turmoil and talkof recession is in the air. Politically, we have cut off alliances and findRussia, N. Korea, and Iran all upgrading their nuclear capabilities. USACongress seems unable to act. Culturally, we are besieged with increasednumbers of immigrants and mass shootings now appear commonplace. Andencompassing all this chaos is the Earth’s environment which appears to beundergoing dangerous changes due to global warming.All this has generated or contributed to an Internal Crisisof FEAR. We increasingly fear those who differ from us, whether by race,gender identification, nationality, or ideology. Everything different seems athreat, and we fear the changes already in progress. Compromise seems weak, andwe’re increasingly in a black or white situation: agree or fight. The Existential Question in this situation is HOW CAN WESURVIVE? With the environment collapsing and threats at every turn, whatcan we do? Problems seem too big to tackle, and local action, while effective,remains local while the issues are larger. Institutions we developed to addresslarger issues appear paralyzed: CONGRESS, UN, NATO, NAFTA, ASEAN, Treaties withIran and the Paris Accords for Climate all appear ineffective in providingremedies. Attempts to inact gun control legislation, despite agreement fromboth parties, cannot move through Congress. We Escape through BLAMESTORMING; we look forscapegoats for each issue, then cast them as enemies toward which hatred is theonly suitable relation. We demonize NRA, GOP, “Moscow Mitch,” Trump, Kim, Putin,Refugees, Democrats, Immigrants, Socialists, and many others. Extreme hostilitytakes the guise of radical nationalism attempting to band “us” against “them”or in too many cases, mass shootings aimed at eliminating “them.” Towards an Authentic Response:
This is where we meet the question of God today: wrestling with thequestion of responding to threats to our existence. Local action may be the most we can do, and since that makesa difference, should be pursued with vigor. Maybe, over time, the mass changesneeded can come from local people. The threats are real. The status quo cannot and will notsurvive. The future is really open and unpredictable. We can, however, have ahand in inventing it.Your comments, additions, corrections, and insights are most welcome. _______________________________________________
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