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

Thu Aug 29 12:54:07 PDT 2019

Thank you John. I find the article very helpful in jogging my memory and
extending my mulling about life in present time.

On Thu, Aug 29, 2019 at 1:21 PM Margaret Scott via Dialogue <
dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:

>
>
> On Wed, Aug 28, 2019 at 8:16 PM Ellie Stock via Dialogue <
> dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
>
>> Thanks, Rob.  So well said.
>>
>> Ellie
>> elliestock at aol.com
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Robertson Work via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
>> To: dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>; Order
>> Ecumenical Community <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
>> Cc: Robertson Work <warkers at msn.com>
>> Sent: Wed, Aug 28, 2019 08:54 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] [Dialogue] Spirit of the 20's
>>
>>
>> Dear colleagues,
>>
>> Good to see these concerns being shared. This is my brief summary of what
>> humanity is facing, from page 3 of *A Compassionate Civilization: "We
>> are living in the most critical time in all of human history, a time to do
>> what is needful or face the direst of consequences. Why do I say that?
>> Never before in the past five thousand years have we faced such colossal
>> dangers and such exhilarating possibilities. The very future of life on
>> Earth is at stake. We face multiple, interlocking crises, any one of which
>> could be decisive—climate chaos, misogyny, systemic poverty, oligarchy,
>> prejudice, and a culture of violence. A whole system transformation is
>> underway, and we are at the brink of either mass extinction or a whole new
>> way of being human on planet Earth. Which it will be depends on what you
>> and I do with our lives." *
>>
>> *And this is my summary concerning what we need to do at this moment in
>> history: "Let us dare to dream and realize a new civilization of
>> compassion. Let us take the necessary actions for environmental
>> sustainability, gender equality, socioeconomic justice, participatory
>> governance, cultural tolerance, and nonviolence and peace. Let us work
>> together to do all of this as a movement of movements (MOM.) Let us do this
>> as mindful activists using methods of innovative leadership including
>> participatory facilitation, integral frameworks, and social artistry. Let
>> us do this as global-local citizens. And let us do this while cultivating
>> understanding and compassion, realizing happiness, celebrating gratitude,
>> living lifelong commitment, choosing courage, dancing with time, and
>> embracing sadness, sickness, old age, and death." *
>>
>> Look forward to further thoughts on this ListServe.
>>
>> Best wishes,
>>
>> Rob Work
>>
>> ................................................................................................
>>
>> Recent book: *A Compassionate Civilization: The Urgency of Sustainable
>> Development and Mindful Activism - Reflections and Recommendations*
>> https://www.amazon.com/dp/1546972617
>>
>> Blog: https://compassionatecivilization.blogspot.com/
>> <https://compassionatecivilization.blogspot.com/>
>> <https://compassionatecivilization.blogspot.com/>
>>
>> LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertsonwork/
>>
>> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/compassionatecivilization/ 
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> *From:* Dialogue <dialogue-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net> on behalf of
>> Carleton Stock via Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, August 28, 2019 9:08 PM
>> *To:* dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
>> *Cc:* Carleton Stock <carletonstock at aol.com>
>> *Subject:* Re: [Dialogue] [Oe List ...] Spirit of the 20's
>>
>> Thanks John for your reflection on the times, insightful and disturbing!
>> I'd sum it all up with what we used to say fairly frequently to one another
>> and the world:  "Trust the Mystery and Build the Earth!". Trust the overall
>> evolution of life and work like Hell till your dying day!
>> Grace and peace,
>> Carl(eton) Stock
>> St. Louis, MO
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: John C via Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
>> To: Colleague Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
>> Cc: John C <jpc2025 at outlook.com>
>> Sent: Wed, Aug 28, 2019 6:50 pm
>> Subject: Re: [Dialogue] [Oe List ...] Spirit of the 20's
>>
>> Thanks, Ellie.
>>
>> John and Lynda Cock
>>
>> *From: *Dialogue <dialogue-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net> on behalf of
>> Ellie Stock via Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
>> *Reply-To: *Colleague Dialogue <dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
>> *Date: *Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at 6:09 PM
>> *To: *"oe at lists.wedgeblade.net" <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>, "
>> oe at wedgeblade.net" <oe at wedgeblade.net>, "dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net" <
>> dialogue at lists.wedgeblade.net>
>> *Cc: *"Elliestock at aol.com" <elliestock at aol.com>
>> *Subject: *Re: [Dialogue] [Oe List ...] Spirit of the 20's
>>
>> 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, August 2019*
>> The categories for determining the spirit of a decade supposedly come
>> from Kierkegaard: An External Situation creates an Internal Crisis which
>> raises an Existential Question from which we try to Escape. I’ve used 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
>> from fossil fuels and the trade war with China have put markets in turmoil
>> and talk of recession is in the air. Politically, we have cut off alliances
>> and find Russia, N. Korea, and Iran all upgrading their nuclear
>> capabilities. USA Congress seems unable to act. Culturally, we are besieged
>> with increased numbers of immigrants and mass shootings now appear
>> commonplace. And encompassing all this chaos is the Earth’s environment
>> which appears to be undergoing dangerous changes due to global warming.
>> All this has generated or contributed to an Internal Crisis of *FEAR*.
>> We increasingly fear those who differ from us, whether by race, gender
>> identification, nationality, or ideology. Everything different seems a
>> threat, and we fear the changes already in progress. Compromise seems weak,
>> and we’re increasingly in a black or white situation: agree or fight.
>> The Existential Question in this situation is *HOW CAN WE SURVIVE?* With
>> the environment collapsing and threats at every turn, what can we do?
>> Problems seem too big to tackle, and local action, while effective, remains
>> local while the issues are larger. Institutions we developed to address
>> larger issues appear paralyzed: CONGRESS, UN, NATO, NAFTA, ASEAN, Treaties
>> with Iran and the Paris Accords for Climate all appear ineffective in
>> providing remedies. Attempts to inact gun control legislation, despite
>> agreement from both parties, cannot move through Congress.
>> We Escape through *BLAMESTORMING*; we look for scapegoats for each
>> issue, then cast them as enemies toward which hatred is the only suitable
>> relation. We demonize NRA, GOP, “Moscow Mitch,” Trump, Kim, Putin,
>> Refugees, Democrats, Immigrants, Socialists, and many others. Extreme
>> hostility takes 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 the question of responding to threats to our
>> existence.
>> Local action may be the most we can do, and since that makes a
>> difference, should be pursued with vigor. Maybe, over time, the mass
>> changes needed can come from local people.
>> The threats are real. The status quo cannot and will not survive. The
>> future is really open and unpredictable. We can, however, have a hand in
>> inventing it.
>> Your comments, additions, corrections, and insights are most welcome.
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> --
> Margaret and David Scott
> Flathead Valley College
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