The gospel very much wants us to think in terms of a neighborhood, in terms of being in solidarity with other people, in sharing our resources, and of living out beyond ourselves. Dr. Walter Brueggerman
Nothing makes you more tolerant of an neighbor's noisy party than being there. Franklin P. Jones
Love thy neighbor as thyself
Don't we all want a world that is neighborly and peaceful instead of one where there is so much acrimony, strife and prejudice? Don't we want a world where, even if we choose not to, we are invited to the neighbor's noisy party? The big question that I've been examining is cynicism and nastiness that is apparent in not only politics but also religion and attitudes of some of our people. Why there is so much free floating hatred and defensiveness? Some say it is justifiable to be this way, being cynical is the only right way to approach these times. I have an alternative theory: we are allowing people to be disrespectful, prejudice and selfish. It is high time we called these errors out when we hear them or see them.
Cynicism---the intellectual cripple's substitute for intelligence. Russell LynesAs a psychotherapist and from my long years of listening and commenting from a chair, I know that the people who are most cynical and paranoid are the least happy. The ones who approach each day with hatred and anger, spoiling for a fight are the least satisfied. So why not let them stew in their own miserable juices? Dunno. Guess as an optimist who specialized in relationships and solutions I can't just give up and let it go unconfronted. They could be happier and less troubled.
How does this cynicism get started? Sometimes it truly is mental illness but often it is from the grouchy, disrepectful attitudes surrounding a person. It then gets condoned.
Most of us are concerned about the lack of respect some children exhibit to their teachers. Worse and more painful is reading about their parents who threaten teachers and/or coaches for doing their jobs. These parents should be disciplining their children for being disrespectful. [Might I suggest removing their cell phones, TVs or their freedom and then writing an essay about their behavior before the restriction is lifted.] I realize that popular TV and movies show a level of disrespect that is sickening and children are vulnerable to coping what they see. Why haven't parents first discussed this with their children then raise up in arms about what is being taught on the media? Instead what gets reported are silly groundless fights about naughty words in books and banning science [think Kansas and evolution] from the curriculum.
Another thing that is disconcerting is a segment of our citizens who paint all police officers with the same brush. They believe all in law enforcement are a frightening group of thugs just waiting to arrest or worse kill any person of color. How unfair and untrue. Indeed, there are some who are problematic and of course and they need to be weeded out. But this is classic all or nothing thinking.
I watched this happen [the black and white thinking] back in the 60's when the soldiers came back from Vietnam. It was hurtful and ugly. Instead of blaming the higher ups for making these bad war decisions, it was taken out on the soldiers. Black and white thinking doesn't come from our higher selves and can unnecessarily hurts the just and innocent. Rather, it springs out of the worst part of humans, fear, prejudice and hatred. This is then passed on to the children who in turn become disrespectful, aggressive, fearful and hateful. Even wild animals, when cornered can become aggressive or flee in fear. Behold the mild mannered opossum who when confronted will either hiss and raised up on it's hind legs or play dead. That is what is passed on to the children. "You've go to be taught to hate and fear". Instead, teach your children well.
Do you value good citizenship? Do you value being a good neighbor? Then lead by example.
Almost all of us have read, heard, been subjected to the vitriol about our President. The theory is that these are justifiable criticisms. But look again they are from the cynics, they are hate filled baseless accusations.
For example our President advocates providing health care for all of our citizens. By the way, this was based on Mitt Romney's health care for the state of Massachusetts. Health care for all in my book is necessary for any workable society. We are one of the few first world countries who refuses to do this. So what we are basically saying to our citizens that can't afford health care is "you aren't worth our concern". Is this really what we want for one of the richest countries of in the world? Dr. Brueggerman says "that identifies and fosters a kind of disadvantaged class that is excluded from all of the resources of society." Doesn't sound very religious, loving, neighborly or Christian to me. Does it to you?
It is not enough to know what is right. Courage also is needed to do what is right. Arthur DobrinIn terms of love I like what Dr. Brueggerman says in regards to people and religion. He is appalled at the attempt by some of the "faithful" in the current religions who are making end runs around the best of their faith and trying desperately to justify parsimony, greed, violence, hatred and selfishness. This can also apply to the politicians that seek to improverish our citizens. Honestly, sometimes some religious people and politicians seem as unwilling as a feisty cat to share a house with a gentle, excluded dog. See above. Instead invite them to the party.
Being invited to the party of life is like being a "12th man", one who is part of the team. If one of your 12th man fellow neighbors is acting boorishly you'd gently tell him to stuff it for the good of the team. Can't we have a team U.S.? Can't we have religions that are team oriented? When people are being disrespectful to their leaders, teachers, coaches, etc. we need to confront them and tell them to knock it off. It's unsportsmanlike conduct.
