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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.

Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.

Monday, October 17, 2016

Opus 2016-276: Cornerstone Considerations: D of I, A Wake Up Call, part 2 of 2

Riots.  Insurrection.  Violence.  The criminal element is taking advantage of the moment.  It is like a societal temper tantrum.

But what if they are on to something?  What if this is about justice?  What if the system is so broken that it can’t be fixed?  What if the real problem is complacency on the part of the majority.  Those of us who are not rioting assume that because all we see are looters and gangsters that there is no legitimate gripe.  It is easy for us to overlook the underlying way in which the system is rigged.  I imagine that is how the English Crown saw Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty. 

Maybe we need to think a little deeper here and not just assume.

It isn’t the fourth of July but maybe a look at the Declaration of Independence is in order.  It was a document that was responding to real life situations. 

Here is what Thomas Jefferson said in the Declaration of Independence,
“But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a Design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their Right, it is their Duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future Security.” 
This came after many attempts to resolve the issues both peaceful and thugish.  At one end you have the Olive Branch Petition that tried to reason with King George.  At the other end you have the mob that burned and looted the head tax collector’s home in Boston.  Because the King ignored the issues it led to the American War of Independence.

Perhaps those of us who are concerned about real justice need to look a little closer at what is happening in the big cities.  I doubt if the dudes with their faces covered and carrying TV’s out of stores are concerned about the big issues and the Declaration of Independence but that does not excuse us from refusing to consider.  There will be no easy answers but there are probably some right answers.

homo unius libri

2 comments:

  1. My concern is report of rioters being bussed in to places to cause a ruckus at any excuse. Then the folks that actually live and work in the location are left to pick up the pieces and clean up. That to me seems very unjust. Who exactly is foisting all this mayhem on them?

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    1. I agree with everything you are saying. I am not going to accept the mantra that I am a racist because I am a white male. I am not for reparations. I think I am starting to see that the same destructive behavior of those in power that has destroyed the black culture is also being turned toward all other groups and especially the middle class of this country. It might take a lot of sifting and careful analysis but this might be a wake up call before we are forced to riot in the streets.

      Grace and peace.

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Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.