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

[isobeljimbish at optusnet.com.au]

Thanks Ellie. I really resonate with your comment about keeping our eyes on the vision rather than being ‘ against’ the other(s). 
Thank you. 
So much silly pointless negativity gets in the way of love and compassion and generosity of spirit. 
Each day though we can have a visit to The Other World. This I enjoy. 
With love and in peace and gratitude. 
I admired Marshall’s comment about Jim Campbell’s book - that we are all filled with common memory and common commitments, from our Order days,
Isobel Bishop 

Sent from my iPhone

> On 29 Aug 2019, at 8:09 am, Ellie Stock via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:
> 
> 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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