One More Opinion

"Particularly when people start hoping for a loving reality, we often get so scared—because we have been so deeply shaped by the pathogenic belief that we don't really deserve to be loved—that we try to prove to ourselves that a better world isn't really possible. That’s when we find people in our organizations hurting each other in the name of love, being brutal and lacking compassion, creating endless fights over theoretical differences, or clinging to ego at the cost of finding real solidarity with others. We will do what we can to provide a supportive context, but we will also not hesitate to ask people to leave our organization who would prefer to fight with each other than to lovingly support each other. Creating an international community of people who start with agreement on the points in this document can generate generous amounts of comradely love and solidarity."

I don't know if I agree with everything they say or that I plan to join their group, but I like where they're coming from in general. Being a deeply spiritual person who identifies as a Taoist and does not care for most organized religions, it's nice to see a group that seeks to find a spiritual center for the left.

I agree with their view that the progressive left can be deeply anti-spiritual. Not they always are by any means – we can assume the basic rules of generalizations here and the exceptions and contradictions therein – but it's a common reaction to the radical Christian right and their intrusion into American politics.

I appreciate they are not another American Jewish group that blindly supports Israel and our equally blind backing of that state. In fact, they seem to denounce extremism regardless of where it comes from.

I think it's important to show people that those of us on the left are not bereft of a moral and/or spiritual compass. On more than one occasion, when I've stated I'm not a Christian, the follow-up question has been; "So you're an atheist?" As if those are the only two possibilities. There's a lot of ignorance fostered by those in positions of authority to encourage divisiveness.

When I lived in Texas I talked with Christians and Baptists, and when we finished we realized we were not as far apart as we thought. For example; there's a common belief that gay people want to come into their churches and force their priests to marry them. When I tell them we do not wish to marry or worship where we are not wanted, they answered; "Nobody's ever said that."

Because divisiveness is the oldest weapon in the book. Divide and Conquer. The Romans used it to foster class warfare and enslave the Jews. It's been used in countless military campaigns. Karl Rove feeds on it. Fear of "the other," "those who are not like us," who don't "share our values."

Bullshit. We all share the same values, more or less. We want to be loved and love in return. We want to cultivate our friendships and care for our families. We want healthy food and a stable roof. We want to experience joy, communicate, be heard and acknowledged as worthy. We want to be valued as human beings.

"Ignorance and prejudice and fear walk hand in hand."

That's one of the most prophetic lines in rock music, ("Witch Hunt" by Rush.)

"They say there are those who threaten us, our immigrants and infidels.

"They say there is strangeness to danger us, in our theaters and bookstore shelves.

"And those who know what's best for us, must rise and save us from ourselves."

It's like a playbook for Rove and the Cheney-Rumsfeld neo-cons.

And I've heard the same close-minded hate from the left. "Southern Baptists are assholes!" As if any one group has a corner on the market. I've worked with and for Southern Baptists and I'm here to tell you, many of them are perfectly nice people.

A grocer I worked for in Texas also employed a gay friend as a corporate accountant. They were amazingly supportive towards Allen and his partner when Allen was dying from AIDS, and even called to check on his partner after Allen's death.

That grocer was owned by a Southern Baptist family.

Isolation and fear have brought us to where we are today. My country is polarized and ugly and I don't like it very much right now. I'm tired of those in power feasting on our fear. Aren't you?

The group I mentioned above is one way out of this situation, but they are not alone. There are many groups that destroy the image of "the other." It is the basis of Eastern spiritual thought. I think groups like this are important and they can help us move beyond that which divides us now. Once the ignorance is lifted and we see how alike we really are it becomes easy to spot those who wish to prey upon us and stop them.

We are NOT alone. That is part of the illusion.

# posted by Phillip T. Alden @ 8:01 PM