Thought Experiment #2
Yesterday, we engaged in a little thought experiment in which I asked this question: What needs to be true for me to push back the fear, oppression, hate, and anger of the world? Many of you responded with some variation on this theme: I need to believe God is in control. (Thanks to all of you who responded.)
This need—to believe God is in control—seems more prescient today than at any given point in my lifetime. It’s a core belief, a belief that should drive all action. But the truth is, I didn’t expect so many of you to answer this way. Why? I supposed you’d take the little thought experiment in a more practical direction, asking what we’d need to do in order to make the world a less fearful, oppressed, hateful, and angry place.
Belief is a good place to start, but belief isn’t always enough. How do I know? Consider these proofs.
Proof #1: A devout man from a historically oppressed people believes God is on his throne. Still, when the oppressor comes beating his child (or friend or neighbor or whomever), is the trauma any less?
Proof #2: The blue-collar family man believes God is in control of all things. On Friday, his supervisor meets him at the door, says the plant has to shut down for a month due to COVID concerns. He is told there will be interim payments, but no overtime. His position might be eliminated, in fact. Driving home, does he feel any less afraid?
Proof #3: You might firmly believe God is on his throne, but when your neighbor plants a yard sign for a politician (right on your property line no less), are you any less angry?
Emotions are tricky things, see. They don’t always bend to intellectual belief.
Today, let’s engage in another thought experiment. This time, let’s make it more practical.
Thought Experiment #2: What can I do to push back the fear, oppression, hate, and anger of the world?
Take the time to jot some ideas down, some practical ways you can push back against the insanity of the world. Then, email your responses to me. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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Thought Experiment on Waking Up
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I am white, and many of you here a](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56ba31db356fb05ecdc0b3bc/1591452672563-6H098FCYGTRU4I3378H9/image-asset.jpeg)
A Simple Thought Experiment
Let’s engage in a little thought experiment. (And this is a class participation event, so prepare thyself.)
Consider the world around you—the spread of a virus, the protests in the streets, the plight of the blue-collar worker who no longer has a shift at the factory. Consider the rhetoric—the anger spewing like a tarry geyser out of Washington, the political fanaticism of any old party, the posturing. Contemplating the state of everything, ask:
What needs to be true for me to push back the fear, oppression, hate, and anger of the world?
Be specific. And when you have your answer formulated, when you lock it in your noggin, email your answer to me.
AN THOUGHT EXPERIMENT ON WAKING UP:
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