There is a danger in polarization which neatly divides a complexity in half and obscures underlying issues which are multifarious and potentially irreconcilable.
Good and evil sets up a dichotomy which always results in a zero sum game. Arab vs Jew, Catholic vs Protestant, Black vs White, Rich vs Poor, Hindu vs Muslim-
leaving us at an irresolvable stalemate, a war of attrition where no-one wins and everyone loses.
We have to ask ourselves: why we are unable to resolve our differences and why do seem to thrive in perpetual conflict?
If we find ourselves in this position at every juncture, then there’s no hope for our survival as a species. The Death Trap is a certainty. The answers to questions: who, what, where and when will vary. But the constant remains: WHY are we apparently incapable of progressing without needless suffering?
Instead of insisting on a schematic which purports to separate Good and Evil based on faulty assumptions, we might seek to find an approach which incorporates the lessons of history with economics and the scientific disciplines, with the technology we have developed.
If l remember correctly, Stephen, you served as a Chaplain in the Marines for decades! If you are concerned that Joe Biden is “leaving it up to G-d Almighty”
- you might as well relax. Despite being a Catholic, the President is a seasonal politician with a personal history of “toughing it out.”
Biden realizes that it’s
basically beyond our control. And we need to recognize there are limits to what we can do!
I propose that we take stock of ourselves (which clearly the Biden-Harris team has done), and not take ourselves so damn seriously.
If our current situation appears all to familiar, it’s probably because we’ve been here before! Only the cast of characters has changed!!
Sit back and enjoy the show.
And bring plenty of popcorn and beer!
And don’t forget to honor your commitment to your personal values. We definitely cannot afford to lose those!!!
In the Arrival Building in Toronto after a short flight from NYC, l observed a small, cheering group with of Palestinians were welcoming the arrival of a young family.
There is a danger in polarization which neatly divides a complexity in half and obscures underlying issues which are multifarious and potentially irreconcilable.
Good and evil sets up a dichotomy which always results in a zero sum game. Arab vs Jew, Catholic vs Protestant, Black vs White, Rich vs Poor, Hindu vs Muslim-
leaving us at an irresolvable stalemate, a war of attrition where no-one wins and everyone loses.
We have to ask ourselves: why we are unable to resolve our differences and why do seem to thrive in perpetual conflict?
If we find ourselves in this position at every juncture, then there’s no hope for our survival as a species. The Death Trap is a certainty. The answers to questions: who, what, where and when will vary. But the constant remains: WHY are we apparently incapable of progressing without needless suffering?
Instead of insisting on a schematic which purports to separate Good and Evil based on faulty assumptions, we might seek to find an approach which incorporates the lessons of history with economics and the scientific disciplines, with the technology we have developed.
If l remember correctly, Stephen, you served as a Chaplain in the Marines for decades! If you are concerned that Joe Biden is “leaving it up to G-d Almighty”
- you might as well relax. Despite being a Catholic, the President is a seasonal politician with a personal history of “toughing it out.”
Biden realizes that it’s
basically beyond our control. And we need to recognize there are limits to what we can do!
I propose that we take stock of ourselves (which clearly the Biden-Harris team has done), and not take ourselves so damn seriously.
If our current situation appears all to familiar, it’s probably because we’ve been here before! Only the cast of characters has changed!!
Sit back and enjoy the show.
And bring plenty of popcorn and beer!
And don’t forget to honor your commitment to your personal values. We definitely cannot afford to lose those!!!
In the Arrival Building in Toronto after a short flight from NYC, l observed a small, cheering group with of Palestinians were welcoming the arrival of a young family.