faith for free thinkers

Great posts, Kendall and Kristin. Like you, Kend...

2012-03-09T11:56:50.209-05:00

Great posts, Kendall and Kristin.

Like you, Kendall, I believe I can see a corner in human existence. It is my hope that all the extremism, furvor and thrashing of the past century or two are the death throes of some of our as-yet-not-completely-defined flaws as relational beings. This is difficult, as these flaws are mixed in the mortar of our institutions and histories. No wonder it seems so destabilizing to change.

Kristin, I am often struck by your ability to float above so much shock and clutter to see a much wider picture than most will consider. Your stories of finding broader context remind me of the Thoreau quote I just shared on Facebook: "Through our own recovered innocence we discern the innocence of our neighbors."

Amen.

Oh great, now I'm going to have Synchronicity ...

2012-03-09T10:12:24.640-05:00

Oh great, now I'm going to have Synchronicity II stuck in my brain all day!

A quick, funny story about my mom's trip to the Abbey of the Genesee. She went with a guy she was dating at the time, they did the whole tour, brought the bread. And you know how my mom will talk to anybody right? So she talking to one of the monks, and at some point he tells my mom how much she looked like Lena Horne. To which the guy she was dating replied, "Shows you how long it's been since he's seen Lena Horne."

I actually turned off my TV 2 years ago, and use it only to watch videos and Netflix. Mainly to assert some discipline so that I can work on my dissertation. But I love Netflix because it permits me to be selective about what I watch, avoid commercials and avoid feeling inundated by the political diatribe that "passes" for news lately. That doesn't mean I don't get the news, or stay blissfully uninformed, I just do it on the Internet where I actually have to do some research and not just take what's being told to me for word.

As for the violence, a while back I watched the Swedish series of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, which is just a hotpot of violence and violation. Yet for me it wasn't just being passively received, and after a certain scene (avoiding spoilers), I shed some serious tears in empathy for this heroine in the rough as I came to understand the dynamics of her character and allowed this visual story to convey her experiences.

I can't remember who said this, or the overall context of the statement, but the gist is that when people communicate their suffering, it is our responsibility to pay attention. So for example having to hear the finite details of the atrocities of rape committed in Rwanda, or Sudan or Croatia horrifies and yet also deepens the understanding of the de- humanization of rape and the importance to take action for campaigns to end rape in all forms, but specifically as well, as a form of war. One example in a microcosm of the inhumane ways humans can mistreat each other. This also reminds me of the discussion about the ethics of editorial photographers who witness and photograph atrocities (that infamous photo by Eddie Adams of the South Vietnamese soldier shooting a Viet Cong operative in the head). The overarching question becomes what is their responsibility? Is it to bear witness and capture the moment, to intervene, or to turn away?

I think to some extent violence in our world has become de-contextualized which then contributes to it being normalized and that generates passive responses when we’re not compelled to examine what we’re seeing and understand the broader context. This brings to mind a story about a class trip to a movie theatre to watch Shindler’s List where the students were evicted from the theater for laughing at a scene when a young Jewish girl was shot in the head by a soldier. Once everyone was done being outraged, a broader conversation was sparked about how these students really didn’t have a solid understanding about this story they were told to watch. When I teach diversity, there is a film I show where people say some terrible things, and people laugh, and I’m often reminded about this story, that without context, people will often react without thinking, as well, laughter is at times, a coping mechanism for shock.

I think one the smartest things I did as a parent, as my daughter grew into identifying her own music and seeing movies that I would prefer she didn’t watch, was not to boycott it and try to restrict her, but to ask her to think about what she was listening to and watching. What emotions did it evoke and how does she understand the story, or message, or lyrics? In other words I (hopefully) conveyed to her to think deeper than what’s being presented on the surface and understand that everything has layers of context that may need to be “unpacked” or set aside. I like to think that somewhere past the eye rolling and the “God, mom, I just like to dance to this, okay?” she understood.

I believe the human race is poised for a spiritual...

2012-03-09T09:39:52.872-05:00

I believe the human race is poised for a spiritual/psychological evolution. I also believe we're a long way from achieving it. Generations away.
While the realism of depicted violence, the technology to produce it, has increased, I believe we are actually more aware and less accepting of it than 50 years ago.
Violence is inherent in being human. The tendencies dwell in the primitive brain. We have known for hundreds, even thousands of years that we are "higher beings" with potential to self-determine. What is needed is the motivation to do so.
One could argue that the violent rhetoric has escalated in the political/social realms. I believe it is always darkest before the dawn. The optimist in me hopes we are purging, as a race, our basest tendencies. If we survive this purging, be it decades or centuries long, perhaps our great-grandchildren or their great-grandchildren will be a different kind of human- a more inately peaceful "elevated" version of the semi-knuckle draggers we are today.

Wow...this is kind of similar to what my latest po...

2012-02-13T20:52:43.099-05:00

Wow...this is kind of similar to what my latest post is about.

We are lucky enough to have access to so much information, but many people choose to ignore it out of convenience or fear. If I recognize that my actions endanger not only my health but that of others, I must take responsibility for my actions. That involves making sacrifice for a greater good, and that is something that our society discourages- sometimes even openly. We believe that we have a right to live destructive lifestyles, and it seems that those who stand to make a profit off our consumption do everything they can to reinforce this belief.

In a world where how much "stuff" you have determines your value as a human being, conspicuous consumption is a very difficult habit to break.

I think that the corporate machine is interested o...

2012-02-13T14:03:02.584-05:00

I think that the corporate machine is interested only in how much and how completely it can milk dry their human cattle and then consume their financial resources, minds, and health. By promulgating ignorant positions and denying evidence to the contrary, they stifle and subjugate any meaningful resistance to this juggernaut.

Are there monied interests suppressing certain are...

2012-02-13T13:43:55.952-05:00

Are there monied interests suppressing certain areas of scientific inquiry?
I'd have to say "yes". And I would suggest there is some complicity or even duplicity in supposedly non-commercial institutions. Why else would the populace of our state know of the probable side effects of hydrofracking, yet our state governments seem to be unaware of them? That NY's government won't ban hydrofracking outright and continues to "look into it", tabling decisions for a while (waiting to see if sentiments against it die down?) could indicate they are looking for ways to help the energy companies see their way to success.
When queries about their inaction have been answered, job creation is the usual excuse. But there could be plenty of job creation in further pursuing and subsidizing green technologies. I suspect there is money to be made depending on what their final decision will be, and there is a weighing of the danger to political careers that is the primary measure of risk.
Pardon my cynicism. When the government of the people seems to be deaf to the people, my suspicions are aroused.

Your reflection reminded me of this other reflecti...

2012-01-15T20:35:34.610-05:00

Your reflection reminded me of this other reflection titled Indra's Net from the Rig Veda as cited in Wheatley, M. (2002) Turning to one another. (practicing my APA formating :-))
"There is an endless net of threads throughout the universe... At every crossing of the threads there is an individual. And every individual is a crystal bead. And every crystal bread reflects not only the light from every other crystal in the net but also every other reflection throughout the universe."

This also tickled my irreverent side and reminded me this quote from the Hitchhiker's Guide, "The story so far. In the beginning the universe was created. This made a lot of people very unhappy and has widely been regarded as a bad move" Adams (1979).

Hmm. Paul's musings run close and parallel wit...

2012-01-04T09:22:24.735-05:00

Hmm. Paul's musings run close and parallel with my own. Nice to see a fellow traveler on the path.
This piece of two also considers us all fractions of one. And I believe we all are one with One, whether or not we are conscious of One. And if we look long enough at each other, whether into each others eyes or casually observing the big picture of two-ness, we will see not only the One there, but our own two-ness, so that the sum of any number or twos is both Two and One.

Corey, you lost me at "So..." Just kiddi...

2012-01-02T16:51:13.803-05:00

Corey, you lost me at "So..." Just kidding--although what was before or at the initial Bang is the holy grail of cosmology. So your "So" covered a lot of ground! My myth includes the notion that humans are God's heart (his feelings/emotions, conscience). In my myth, Two isn't created, separate, rather it is within the One, a portion of the One. The consequent idea that God is imperfect (not "all good" for example) and is (ohhh...the meaning of the word "is") striving to get better (Becoming)at least partially through us is fairly fascinating. Perhaps God is striving to feel as well as think! Thanks, I find your word plays fun and the writing inviting and provocative.

Beautifully stated. I'll be pondering the idea...

2012-01-02T12:03:31.664-05:00

Beautifully stated. I'll be pondering the idea of Matter and Doesn't Matter -- what a challenging twist to the story. Thanks, Corey.

I think a major problem we are facing today is the...

2011-12-01T14:01:05.678-05:00

I think a major problem we are facing today is the belief that healthy=expensive. Really, it is the other way around-- unhealthy, fatty food choices do great damage to your body in the long run, increasing your (and everyone else's) medical bills and decreasing your enjoyment of life.

I'm a strict vegetarian (I eat no flesh, no products with eggs, and try to limit my dairy intake) for both ethical and health reasons. The human body is not actually built for the consumption of animal products-- the length and complexity of our intestines is evidence that we are meant to be herbivores. Carnivores digest meat and eliminate waste much more quickly than humans can because of the layout of their digestive systems. Animal products are often high in fat, and because the concentrations of toxins increases as you go up the food chain, eating meat in a world of factory farms and heavy pollution can be downright dangerous. Just look at the swine flu scare of a few years back; people got sick from being in close contact with pigs at a factory farm in Mexico, where the animals were crammed together in cruel and unsanitary conditions. Now think of all the people who had been eating meat from that farm...and all of the people those people come into contact with. One of these days, a pandemic will occur, and we will have nothing to blame except society's desire for cheaply produced animal products.

The Looney Tunes glasses came from Carrol's re...

2011-12-01T13:36:35.018-05:00

The Looney Tunes glasses came from Carrol's restaurant, the last of which is/was in Batavia. At least, they did originally, in the first wave.
It was diabetes that made a convert out of me. having said that, I did have a McDonalds meal for lunch yesterday, having woken up a mere 15 minutes before my dental appt. and not having time to pack my leftovers for lunch. I had a salad. And it was good.
McDonalds isn't bad for coffee, though you have to let it cool an hour before it will be safe to drink. There iced tea, with no sugar or lemon, won't kill you either. Anything else? Not very often, thank you.
So it is up to us, the individual consumers. I mean, when a bill that would improve the nutrition in school lunches is defeated in Congress with the "urging" of food conglomerates such as Coca-Cola and a company that makes its "dough" selling frozen pizzas (pun intended), we know we can't count on our representatives to look out for our welfare and that of our children.
Change will only come by exercising the power of the pocketbook and shoe leather strategy. Don't buy there, and go someplace else.
Merry Christmas, All. Chow down.

I like this a lot Corey. But you know that this pr...

2011-12-01T12:51:06.254-05:00

I like this a lot Corey. But you know that this problem stems from a vicious circle that started long ago when women decided that they "needed" to work. Thus, pick up the kids from day care and run through the drive-thu. I could go on and on about that one but that is a subject for another time.
We, as parents, have to be the ones influencing our kids to eat right. I may not be able to control what they eat now that they are grown and out on their own, but I hope some of the things I have done will stay with them.
Tips...
1. Like Jim said, make fast food a treat and try to choose Subs shops and fresh food type places.
2. Give the kids info on just how bad this food is. No mater how young, a kid will absorb info.
3. Don't buy a lot of junk food. Offer smart choices at home.
4. Don't give "Arch Cards" etc. as gifts. If your kids get them as gifts, buy or trade them from them, then donate them to a food pantry.
5. My best tip...Put a plate of fresh fruit, veggies and dip on the counter every day. You sub-consciously eat the food that is in front of you. Never leave a plate of chips or cookies out. My kids friends all come in and out and they grab the veggies too. I wish I had a dime for every time I heard one of them say "My Mom never buys this stuff". Or "My Mom buys it but doesn't cut it up and we end up throwing it away". The grocery stores now offer these trays already made and they are worth it if you know you are never going to cut the veggies your self. Besides, I've done the math, it is only a few cents more. It just seems like a lot of money because it is one item. Break it down and it is comparable in price.
Anyway, keep up the good work. It has got to be hard for you knowing your boss is always watching.
You Cousin Shari

All I can do is read this and sigh. For the past t...

2011-12-01T10:37:58.316-05:00

All I can do is read this and sigh. For the past two years I've been a semi committed vegetarian (I confess to an occassional meat break, but very small occassion). It really is a challenge on those days when work has run me in the ground, when I have a boatload of homework on my plate, and a kid to transport here, there and everywhere, to build a propper, well rounded, homecooked vegetarian meal. Yet, even with my questionable vegetarian diet, I feel a thousand times lighter and healthier than any fast food meal I can remember.

I do get frustrated with the way organic food is priced and how out of reach it is for working families to consistently have organic food products in the home. I would love to buy organic milk on the regular, but can't get past the $6/gallon price tag. Seriously?? And I have to question why is it that there is this lifestyle that could grow rapidly with increased consumer support, yet it remains financially out of range for many consumers. Where is the organic farmer response to the 'food deserts' in impoverished, urban neighborhoods? Yes there are farmers markets, but why are they only one day, and not ongoing?

I'm sure from the organic farmers' persepctive it's about the bottom line too. They have to insure a profit margin to keep the farm and maintain the integrity of their products, but it just seems there is a good recipe for a massive social justice food movement, that instead is still dwindling.

One of my professors is leading a research project on the neighborhood response to heathier eating and community gardening, so maybe once she's published her study, I'll come back and post it here.

And maybe once I'm done with my own dissertation journey, I can roll up my own sleeves and take part in helping that social justice food movement grow. Although I think I need to work on my own diet practices first. (I've found eating cookies while writing keeps the writer's block pre-occupied :)).

Thankfully Kristin and I both cut out fast food ye...

2011-12-01T10:35:45.285-05:00

Thankfully Kristin and I both cut out fast food years ago. Sometimes, when traveling long distances, we'll make a stop on the thruway to eat something quick. We usually try to find a place with subs but I remember on our way to Chicago we got McDonalds. I still remember how run down and awful I felt inside. Not because I felt as though I had done something wrong, but because that's how the food made me feel. I can't imaging eating there once per month, week, or even everyday. If the people that frequented there would just change their diet for a couple of weeks or a month, they'e be surprised just how much better they felt. Their moods would improve along with their energy levels.

When I started at Tom Wahl's in high school (first job), we learned that fast food places, such as McDonald's, could say their hamburgers were 100% beef because everything in the patty came from a cow. However, it wasn't 100% meat. Think about what else could be in their hamburgers that came from that animal...

Looking back now, I'm thankful that we didn't go to McDonald's all that often. It was a special treat or because we had been out all night and mom and dad wanted to feed us quick on our way home. I'm also proud to know that our children will probably never taste McDonald's food.

i don't know what there could possibly be to t...

2011-12-01T10:16:50.540-05:00

i don't know what there could possibly be to tell-all...but i may have a few photos for a coffee table book. lol

LuAnn: I highly recommend the Bloomfield Middle-Hi...

2011-11-19T07:17:51.169-05:00

LuAnn: I highly recommend the Bloomfield Middle-High program for vets in the Performing Arts Center on the Thursday before Veterans Day (they hold it then because the kids are not in school on Vets Day). It features speakers, ceremony and a moving tribute. Many vets attend.

Also, check out the Dress Your Pets for Vets contest originated by my wife and the BCS Student Council. A halloween picture contest raises money for Honor Flight.

First let me say I am a pacifist at heart and an o...

2011-11-17T20:27:26.615-05:00

First let me say I am a pacifist at heart and an opponent of war and what it does to those who participate in it. However, I don't think the holidays have anything to do with supporting our so called military complex.

On Memorial Day I remember my father and his friends - not just my memories of them, but of the stories they told and laughed about and also the ones they told, late at night, that i overheard because i was laying at the top of the stairs eavesdropping. And I go to the parade, I pledge allegiance to our flag, listen to the speakers and catch up w/old friends. It is the least I can do.

It saddens me that on Veteran's Day there are no parades or church barbeques or speeches because Veteran's Day is for those men and women that are still here among us. Many of those were drafted but still served - my husband, my 2 older brothers, my cousins are among this group. And now we have a volunteer army ...they serve over and over...how brave they are and how changed they become.

2 days a years is not enough to ask of all of us.

Daegan, here. We need Veteran`s Day and Memorial ...

2011-11-17T18:06:13.228-05:00

Daegan, here.

We need Veteran`s Day and Memorial Day to prevent future wars. It`s when we forget about the cost that we resort to violence too quickly.

Nothing to add, everything to agree with.

2011-11-17T15:27:47.042-05:00

Nothing to add, everything to agree with.

I will share the following, translated from Swedis...

2011-09-23T14:43:29.671-04:00

I will share the following, translated from Swedish, bare with me.
It is an open debate between the editor of "Dagen" ( The Day), a religous newspaper, and the Swedish archbishop, KG Hammar. The editor is Elisabeth Sandlund and she is a woman. The topic is same sex marriage.
Closing arguments:
Elisabeth: I can not find a single word in the bible that supports marriage of two people of the same sex.
KG Hammar: You are right, but I can find several passages that support the silence of women, so be very careful when referring to the scripture.

This goes along the same thoughts as Steve Gretz outlines.

I just had to post this, I hope nobody took offense, not my intention.

// Håkan

"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blin...

2011-09-23T09:36:13.547-04:00

"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." (Ghandi)

A question for my friends whose literal reading of Scripture leads them to favor capital punishment: In the Genesis story of Cain and Abel, when there is no question that Cain is clearly guilty of a horrendous murder, and God alone serves as judge and jury--how does God sentence Cain?

How can one claim to be a Christian and go against...

2011-09-22T17:30:36.308-04:00

How can one claim to be a Christian and go against the basic principles that Jesus taught? Love one another as you love yourself. Love your enemies. Love God. In my opinion there is entirely too much emphasis placed on worshiping the person/divinity of Jesus and too little on his teachings.

Now that I am living in one of the majority of cou...

2011-09-22T11:22:35.799-04:00

Now that I am living in one of the majority of countries that does not have the death penalty, I am made even more uncomfortable by it. Paying back murder with murder does not create a society that respects the value of life. I saw an interview with MacPhail's mother, and she was saying that she would not be satisfied until Davis was dead. While her pain is understandable, it saddened me to see that after 20 years, this woman was still convinced that the only way she could have peace was if another mother was deprived of her son. The death penalty punishes innocent family members and friends even more than it punishes the convicted; when an inmate is executed, his earthly pain disappears, but that of his loved ones multiplies. And that is not justice by any measure.

Daegan

Well said, ( and written). May I ad that you need ...

2011-09-22T09:04:40.600-04:00

Well said, ( and written). May I ad that you need not be a follower of Christ to reach the same conclusion. However, I do agree that you build a very good case by quoting John 8:1-11. I take great joy in reading your posts.
// Håkan