Hi I'm Andy - an ally

[andrewlittle]

I recently graduated with my MDiv, and I am going through the ordination process of the Presbyterian Church (USA). It is heartwarming to know that dying denominations will tenaciously cling to the old ways and attitudes, while ever hoping that renewal will come from them. Ecclesiatical insanity at its best.
I write - sometimes not very well - about things I am passionate about. Holy relationships for all people is one of those things, as are economic justice, integrity, ethics over morals, and many others.
On this sight, I will probably read more than write - I would only be preaching to the choir, anyway.
For now, I simply pray that each morning, when you look in the mirror, you see the reflection of the image of God in your own face and that you see the face of Christ in your partner's loving smile. That's my language and imagery from my faith tradition. Please don't be offended, but rather translate it into something that would be a blessing for you.
Shalom,
Andy:rolleyes:

[BruceChris]

A couple of short links:

http://www.soulforce.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1339

Andy, Please go back and read the (Edited) link below-- BC

http://www.soulforce.org/forums/showthread.php?t=1355


Peace and Love, BC

After reading your introduction, I guess my best response is in my (new) signature line:

[Jamie McDaniel]

I write - sometimes not very well - about things I am passionate about. Holy relationships for all people is one of those things, as are economic justice, integrity, ethics over morals, and many others.
On this sight, I will probably read more than write - I would only be preaching to the choir, anyway.
Welcome, Andy. I would love to hear more about economic justice (it was one of Dr. King's big three in his last years), integrity, and ethics over morals. I'm very excited about the quality of some of the writing on the forums, the time and care that members put into their responses whenever serious issues are being discussed. From reading your posts in other threads, I think your contributions to the conversation will be much appreciated.

[andrewlittle]

Okay, more about economic justice, integrity and ethics over morals. These will just be very short snapshots.

Economic justice - A focus on the common good, or ethical dialogue, presupposes at least as high a level of importance, if not greater, be given to the benefits of society and people than to profits. With regard to economy, economic justice is a primary focus of virtually all liberation theologies. Economy, and economic justice, is understood differently, however, in most “2/3 World” contexts, and this frames a significant part of the potential dialogue. Ujamaa, an African concept of community and politics, is not unique to that context and describes a common concept of most liberation theologies. "Ujamaa was supposed to be the third way between capitalism and socialism, viz., a communal way of life based on the traditional African understanding of communality within the framework of the extended family. The extended family was still more extended to cover the whole nation." Mika Vähäkangas
Economy, then, takes on a broader meaning. It is still a system of transactions, like the Western concept, but transactions are understood to mean more than those involving currency, commodities and materials and actually encompass all transactions and exchanges between peoples, communities and nations - social as well as material. Globalization, in reducing the significance of virtually all things to that of commodity, excludes social transactions, negates community and seeks integrated anonymity, as opposed to differentiated identities, for people and populations. A.Little 2005

Integrity - The mainline church in the “First World” is in crisis and is trying desperately to re-imagine and re-invent itself to be restored to its former glory - using the same theologies and the same techniques and the same blurred vision from the same dominant cultural precepts that created their problems. Subjugated peoples the world over are trying to re-emerge and resurrect themselves from dehumanization, by faithfully, imaginatively and courageously reclaiming and contextualizing the biblical witness into a new praxis, absent the same patterns that have bound the Mainline church in chains. Is resurrection possible? Our faith demands it - and, it depends on it. The dialogue between these two extremes is waiting - waiting for the opportunity to bring freedom to God’s people. Liberation theologians of all types are prepared and seated at the table - ready to teach and to learn. The context is established. Global vision is here. Dialogue, however, takes two participants - both willing to listen with ears eagerly pricked to learn - both willing to speak from the place of God’s abundant love - both bringing with them their integrity and humility. As yet, the second chair is empty.
A. Little 2004

Ethics over Morals - In technical terms, there is little difference. In popular culture, the difference is stark and disturbing. Concentrating on morality allows dominant culture to avoid judging its own behavior, and promotes doctrine and popular opinion to the position of "ruling norm". You see, morality is about what someone else does - someone different than us. When we have an "immoral minority" to scapegoat and indict, we are free to consider the ends more important than the means. We can kill in order to circumvent being threatened; we can consume voraciously because others don't deserve what we have; we can consume the earth and all the babies in it, because we have moral imperative on our side.
Ethics, however, that's a horse of a different color. That's how we judge our own behavior - before we behave badly. Ethics is the tool of self-criticism, self-control and self-reflection that enables us to judge the potential of our actions through its affect on others. Put simply, it is when we judge our behavior before we judge someone else's - when we take the log out of our own eye, rather than bitch about the splinter in someone else's.

[Lydia]

Welcome, Andy.

What do you like to read?

[tdogg]

Hi Andy

Thanks for the time and thought you have put into your wonderful posts in other threads - they have touched me and I appreciate what you have to say. Glad you are here!! :love: :pray: :D

Tdogg