redemptive violence?

Just to forestall anyone ending up disillusioned, though you likely will at some point, not only am i a horrific speller, but I claim to have no answers for the readers of this blog. I have opinions, but please assume them to be statements begging discussion. However vehemently I argue, debate must never be lost. If it is, i need to quit everything entirely and move into that monastery i talk about. Now that is a place where debate cannot help but live, so i presume it is the only place that would force me back into it. Now, that ive gotten that long winded preface to life out of the way, to the main discussion introduced here.

So I just got finished watching "V for Vendetta" this evening. I liked it very much. Kind of. That little rebellious itch that likes to be scratched really liked it. And of course, well romance with a revolutionary (on the liberal side)... well... your assumptions are prolly accurage. I liked the symbolism a lot too, and the historical moments they tied into the present. That was well done. And of course, well 1812 Overture, you cant go wrong there. I wanted that in my wedding until mother informed me that there wouldnt be any sword brandishing or actual conquoring or anything that grand. So, in short, i was thoroughly entertained and really loved the symbolic nature creating a (real) new world order.

But i was really rather dissapointed. The lack of creativity or imagination on the part of the writers gave me pause. The lack of imagination and creativity by us, people so dissolusioned by the system that we throw up our hands and proclaim no way out, gave me, well, more than pause. You see, while the movie did teach us to sympathize with those labeled 'terrorist', to find the humanity behind the mask, it did not take the ever so vital next step. In order to defeat the system, one cannot simply employ the means of the system against itself. It's not that easy. Violence will always beget violence, and fear will always beget fear. Those that would unjustly have our allegiance have for the history of humanity, taught us who to kill and who to fear. The system of human history, never truly reformed, haunts us still today. The power has changed hands, yes, but little has changed. And those of us that detest the system, that desire change, that see the problem but do not know the solution have lost that which makes humanity beautiful.

Creativity. Imago Dei.

Draw on the past yes, but do so remembering that you will never use the weapon better than its creator. Evil created violence, and evil created fear, and should you choose to use them, Evil will demand you allegiance as it has demanded the allegiance of men of old. In the end, it will cost you your life. Change must come from the creation of a different weapon. And i'm going out on a limb here... but if it's not violence, let's name it.... peace. Now, peace does not imply the lack of struggle, by no means. The prince of peace himself met a violent end. BUT it does imply attemtping to limit the violence we ourselves inflict on others. He didn't fight. Yes, I know the temple story, very violent, but he made the point without killing anyone so it's still under the non violent resistance umbrella. I'm not claiming pacificsm in peace, im claiming something a little deeper i think. Perhpas the word here is love. 'For perfect love casts out fear' Yes, resistance is demanded of us, and if it is not demanded by our leaders, it is demanded by our position in history. But it must be a new kind of resistance. It cannot be a violent overthrow, but it must be a willful choice of each individual to choose love over fear. To choose help over hurt, thought over rhetoric, others over him/herself. I am not dumb, I know that it seems awfully silly and irational to choose love in a time of such fear. But, him who designed the weapon of peace will also claim one's allegiance, and to it too ones life is lost. But that must beautiful thing remains, for loosing ones life- does not mean death, it means here life.

Creativity.

All rather ironically placed on the eve of His first cry. Yes, very silly indeed to put on the skin of creation gone awry and teach them, heal them, love them. So in the end they can kill You. All to teach them that one thing will never die, and that is Love itself. Violence will pass away, but the work we have done in the name of love, the signature of divnity, creating rather than destroying. And divinity will have our allegiance.

Advent With Merton... Reflection

Today was Day six in the good ole Advent with Merton book I use every year. The scripture was Revelation 3:17-20. This passage is an exerpt from the 'devotional' portion. I found it quite interesting in light of my Global Justice & Religion course yesterday, which investigated the word 'fundamentalism' its origins and its meaning today. There is nothing wrong with Christian fundamentalism in it's strictest historical sense. But just as liberal Christians err toward the 'rebellious zeal' mentioned in the passage, more fundamental branches err toward to moral idolitry the passage also speaks of. Perhaps if there was a way to discourse with one another we could help each other grow. It's always really good for me to hear, "Anna, maybe thats a step too far," or, "Are you comfortable with that theological move. I'm not sure I am." Anyways- and I do this to- i think that sometimes since morality and christian ethics seem easier to grasp than God we go after them in the place of God. Also quite handy with the God of Morality (rather than say... The God of Love) is the ability to judge our selves and others into a neat little comfortable box. Quite unfortunate for us that Jesus had no boxes, and this box system ends in the proverbial hell- judging ourselves into alienation from God, Christ, The Holy Spirit, and the rest of humanity because in the end i fear we all try to judge ourselves to the top, alone. Perhaps there would be some way for the 'two camps' to talk to each other instead of remaining in polarizing sin for one another. I'm as guilty as the rest, but The Kingdom has to be worth sucking it up and starting the dialogue. It's only the second greatest commandment and all. So here's the passage hope you enjoy:

"It is normal and necessary for a mature Chrisitan to have to confront, at some time or other, the inevitable shortcomings of Christians-- of others as well as himself. It is both dishonest and unfaithful for a Christian to imagine that the only way to preserve his faith in the Church is to convince himself that everything is always, in every way, at all times ideal in her life and activity. History is there to prove the contrary. It is unfortunately true that Christians themselves, for one reason or another, may in the name of God himself, and of his truth, cling to subtle forms of prejudice, inertial, and mental paralysis. Indeed there may even be serious moral disorders and injustices where holiness should previal...
The Christian must learn how to face these problems with a sincere and humble concern for truth and for the glory of God's church. He must learn to help correct these errors without falling into an indiscreet or rebellious zeal..."

love,
anna

Apartment 2000-203 Procastination

Soooo, top ten procrastination techniques developed over the past few weeks... as the pressure goes up, motivation apparently plummets. Perhaps the inverse relationship to work and motivation is not so good. But hopefully these will be helpful if you and your friends are similar in this....

10. Cleaning the Apartment
9. Teaching Junior, the dog to act as a carrier pigeon between rooms.
8. Dressing Jr. up in a santa costume and taking lots of pictures for Christmas
7.Decorating a Christmas Tree
6. Making 'mailboxes' out of manilla envelopes (Highly recommend this one its lots of fun). -Jiff gets credit for this one. try it!
5.Teaching Junior to jump over hurdles constructed out of an unused mirror, tables, the ottoman, ourselves.
4. Narrating a thirty minute monologue for Junior, who is aparently both a british spy and has all the answers to suffering in the
world. Poor misunderstood genius that is our beagle. -my contribution
3. Barking out the window with Junior to see if it really IS fun. (And it is, everybody should try it once)
2. "I wonder how many different ways I can make my chair squeek. Maybe I could tape it and make a song." -Amber
1. Laying in the den for about 30 minutes constructing this list.


Hope some of these will be remotely helpful. Now I know why dogs help you live longer. They aid in procrastination more than any other single device known to man. And theyre really sweet, lovable, and obedient. :o)