[Oe List ...] Secular truths and caring actions

[Robertson Work]

Yes, as you well know, RS-1 was the demythologization of the Christian symbols and story. It turned archaic, opaque symbols mired in myth and a two-story universe into contemporary, secular truths of how to be an authentic human being. We are driven into life by mystery and cut off from life by mystery. When our illusions burst, we encounter a transformative understanding that it is all good, that I am accepted, the past is received, and the future is open. We can then live a life of responsibility that includes both freedom and obedience to the way life is. We can answer the call to be social pioneers living between the no longer and the not yet, creating the future on behalf of all.  Our cultural studies curriculum dealt with how to be a family, a society, etc.

As long as we are alive, these dynamics take place. In our time of authoritarianism, wealth inequality, and climate disaster, we are each called to do what we can each moment through our actions and words to catalyze and embody a new community, nation, and world of social justice, ecological regeneration, and participatory democracy.

Onward!

Robertson Work
Books and bio<https://www.amazon.com/Robertson-Work/e/B075612GBF>    Essays on Substack<https://robertsonwork.substack.com/>    Videos and articles<https://www.globalcompassioncoalition.org/author/robertson-work/>    Interviews and poetry<https://www.globalheart2heart.com/a-compassionate-civilization-creating-a-new-future-now/?fbclid=IwAR2EAy4c64wCRzlzUCzVKXokqce3hePofFvzdzvCM5aDYRb9QgdFyQPUyxU>
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From: OE <oe-bounces at lists.wedgeblade.net> on behalf of James Wiegel via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
Sent: Monday, June 23, 2025 9:41 PM
To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
Cc: James Wiegel <jfwiegel at yahoo.com>; Lawrence Philbrook <icalarry at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] OE Digest, Vol 159, Issue 18

RS-1 in a Nutshell or even in a longer summary or even in 44 hours inspired me and many and I still hold onto a core that keeps me focussed.

At the same time, RS-1 was also, in a way, lacking in detail . . . How to sustain a family in that context, a community, raise kids,  grow into adulthood and beyond, be truly multicultural, etc.  I think, in the Christian universe of discourse this pointed to Sanctification -- the life long struggle to "get it right"

Jim Wiegel

“We are all time travelers journeying into the future. But let us make that future a place we want to visit. “       Stephen Hawking

On Jun 23, 2025, at 3:55 PM, Diann McCabe via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:


I remember hearing Pierce say this in a talk in Chicago. --Diann McCabe, San Marcos, TX

On Sat, Jun 21, 2025 at 3:10 PM Lawrence Philbrook via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net<mailto:oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>> wrote:
My Dad shared this with me years ago - RS1 in a Nutshell.  I do not know who said it originally except to know it was not my Dad or Mom

With respect,
Larry



 I was conducting collegium in London and got off on one of my tangents, and gave a carefully memorized speech to the group. The speech was this: He who does not know he lives in one hell of a universe peopled with son-of-a-bitches finally ends up in the corner sucking his thumb between tears and gripes and therefore, denies himself the experience of the glorious virtue of his one hell of a universe and the awareness of the warmth and the collegiality among us son-of-a-bitches. That's RS-I in a nutshell. Why we wasted 44 hours, I don't know. Anyway, then when we were boarding the plane at the airport, later, some guy at customs said, "Do you have anything to declare? I hear that in my dreams. "Do you have anything to declare?" "Do you have anything to declare?" So, one guy was looking at Pierce's passport and he said, "Mr. Pierce, do you have anything to declare?" And Pierce said, "Do I have something to declare? I do indeed have something to declare. I declare that this is one hell of a universe peopled with son-of-a-bitches and he who does not know it finally ends up in the corner sucking his thumb between tears and grips and therefore, denies himself the experience of the glorious virtue of this one hell of a universe and the awareness of the warmth and the collegiality among us son-of-a-bitches. I do declare!"


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