Just some thoughts on the eve of this historic presidential election.
"Do not fear. He who fears, hates; he who hates, kills. Break your sword and throw it away, and fear will not touch you. I have been delivered from desire and from fear so that I know the power of God." Gandhi
"What constantly marked the life of Jesus was not nonviolence but in every situation the choice not to use power. This is infinitely different." Jacques Ellul
"Mack, the world system is what it is. Institutions, systems, ideologies, and all the vain, futile efforts of humanity that go with them are everywhere, and interaction with all of it is unavoidable. But I can give you freedom to overcome any system of power in which you find yourself, be it religious, economic, social, or political. You will grow in the freedom to be inside or outside all kinds of systems and to move freely between and among them. Together, you and I can be in it and not of it." from The Shack
"A primary agent for the propagandizing of technique in modern society is the involvement of people in participatory politics, especially in democratic societies where people are led to believe that it is "governance by the people for the people." Politics gives the individuals within society the illusion of freedom by having a sense of effectual participation. The "political illusion" of popular participation, popular control by the people, and collective problem-solving of social problems, falsely fulfills the need that individuals have for meaning, importance, effectiveness and security, leading them to surrender themselves all the more to the politicized state and the technicized system.
When all values are cast in political form, and all hopes are directed toward political solutions, believed to be on the verge of realization, politics becomes the "supreme religion of this age," propagating its "myth of the solution" for all social problems, despite the inability of politics to deal with good and evil, personal character, or the meaning and quality of life." James A Fowler....taken from:
A Synopsis and Analysis
of the Thought and Writings of
Jacques Ellul
"Jacques Ellul attempted to integrate sociology and theology in order to explain what it means to be "in the world, but not of the world."
9 comments:
His line about the "myth of the solution" is what strikes the truest to me. Had a couple of conversations last night with some brothers and sisters who just can't wrap their head around what I was trying (not very successfully) to explain. That by being so trapped in the fear of what might be we are not very likely to be able to live in the what is. Thanks for the link to the Fowler article...quite interesting.
Kent,
Perhaps one of the most painful parts of the disillusioning I've been undergoing with respect to the current political process has been the loss of a sense that my participation in that process was somehow meaningful, the "myth of the solution" mentioned by Fowler. I'm still not at peace with that loss, but I am finding an ever-growing sense of significance in my personal ability to be part of the solution by loving the one other in front of me, one at a time."If anything matters, everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important." Voting may merely be an empty symbol of what actual personal engagement in loving others one at a time is in reality.
I'm gonna hafta mull that one over some. I'll go ahead and read Fowler's article as well.
Thanks for the excellent post!
Bones
Kent,
Perhaps one of the most painful parts of the disillusioning I've been undergoing with respect to the current political process has been the loss of a sense that my participation in that process was somehow meaningful, the "myth of the solution" mentioned by Fowler. I'm still not at peace with that loss, but I am finding an ever-growing sense of significance in my personal ability to be part of the solution by loving the one other in front of me, one at a time."If anything matters, everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important." Voting may merely be an empty symbol of what actual personal engagement in loving others one at a time is in reality.
I'm gonna hafta mull that one over some. I'll go ahead and read Fowler's article as well.
Thanks for the excellent post!
Bones
Whoops! Sorry about the double post. The browser wasn't responding very quickly, and I began to think I'd not clicked on the "Publish Your Comment" button properly. My bad!
Bones, two years ago that feeling of frustration just evaporated and was replaced by a peace that is beyond understanding. It just doesn't make any sense to the mind that had been shaped by the illusion. I pray you find that also when it comes to these issues of nation state dealings and whatever else.
I have such a vivid picture in my mind these days of how Jesus lived completely free of the lie. He acted as if it was just irrelevant...which speaks to me of the power of knowing the Truth....the One with the power to actually set us free.
Which leads me to this sad reality. For all the wrangling going on in the religious system around "Truth Wars"....one seems hard pressed to find anyone who lives exhibiting the fruits of being free as Jesus was free.
"When all values are cast in political form, and all hopes are directed toward political solutions, believed to be on the verge of realization, politics becomes the "supreme religion of this age," propagating its "myth of the solution" for all social problems, despite the inability of politics to deal with good and evil, personal character, or the meaning and quality of life."
Very thought provoking....how easy a temptation this can be eh?
"despite the inability of politics to deal with good and evil, personal character, or the meaning and quality of life."
I love that.....
Anyone remember this?
"The change, it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the fold, that's all
And the world looks just the same
And history ain't changed
'Cause the banners, they were all flown in the last war
There's nothing in the streets
Looks any different to me
And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye
And the parting on the left
Is now parting on the right
And the beards have all grown longer overnight
I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss"
That about sums it up for me.
I don't know if The Who lyrics rank with Ellul and Ghandi (or if Ellul could
do windmills on an electric guitar for that matter) but it fits together.
it might look and feel a bit different under a new boss....but it is the same game.
Kent,
Excellent post. What especially resonated with the thoughts and feelings upon my heart about political issues is:
"...But I can give you freedom to overcome any system of power in which you find yourself, be it religious, economic, social, or political. You will grow in the freedom to be inside or outside all kinds of systems and to move freely between and among them. Together, you and I can be in it and not of it." -The Shack
This is what I'm beginning to live like. It's so liberating knowing in our hearts that whatever occurs in the kingdoms of this planet...we do not need to choose fear over. We are citizens of His Glorious Kingdom. :)
Blessings,
~Amy :)
http://amyiswalkinginthespirit.blogspot.com
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