Thank you, Forest.
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Diane Loomis:
Andy, I have been a long-time supporter of your work. I thank you for putting your gifts in the service of Good.
I've been mulling how the story you are telling can be a BETTER human story. Proposing that the intelligence and creativity of humans has led to brokenness from the ways of power does not seem to be an appealing, better story, at first glance.
But if we need to see things clearly in order to find successful solutions, then your parable of the tribes seems to be an original, and, ultimately, hopeful version of the human story. Hopeful, as you say, that evil is not an inborn part of our natures. Whereas Hobbes thought the world needed an authoritarian hand to resist the "war of all against all,"
I suppose in the world you describe we have a choice to choose global cooperation against the default of power. Humanity has made moves in that direction-- United Nations, for example- although we are clearly not there yet. And, of course, we have backslid as we make America great again, instead of collaborating for the good of the whole.
Maybe it would help us not to see people as bad, just broken in places. And I suppose all the cultural exchange programs and interfaith discussions help us to see the wholeness that people try for everywhere, Sounds sweet, but true.
I know you are offering your perspective as a better story that secular individuals can adopt. But I, personally, gained from growing up church. My church and individuals who attended were not perfect, but at least people came together there, trying for wholeness. Stories of redemption by faith from brokenness are many. Of course, lack of trust in basic human wholeness may also exist in certain churchgoing communities. Children in religious education can be admonished, even beaten, and strictly controlled so as not to let the "devil" out.
I do think it is important to seek out and to heal our own broken parts. I know you know this. I appreciate people who are offering study groups in race relations, for example. When one has offended, it helps with healing to apologize. Likewise, even though one personally did not create the brokenness of racial oppression, one may still be benefitting from the results.
I hope I can learn more and how I am still perpetuating brokenness and do what is helpful to heal in this regard.
Thanks again, Andy.
Andy Schmookler:
About "growing up church." I can see how that could be an important boost in one's striving for -- and looking for -- wholeness. (And how it can also be the opposite, depending on what the church chooses to communicate, and how it operates as a community.) The religious traditions contain so much that points toward "the good." And if the church also functions as a supportive, caring community -- operating in a spirit of goodwill -- that is important, too.
I've at times envied people who have had such communities of belief and mutual support. But it has not been my own path.
Instead, I've fulfilled my need for supportive community by assembling it myself, as with the people like you in this Co-Creator group.
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