Sarah Vowell makes a drastic comperison of 17th century England to modern day America, saying that she wonders if "its time to abandon her country because it may be deystroying itself."
Is this country deystroying itself? I dont believe so. Could it? Absolutely. Due to our president and many of America's leaders, this country is undergoing a lot of changes. Drastic ones. And there are more to come.
One of the biggest ones is Obama's Free Health Care Plan. The country is in an upstart over this huge change. Town hall meetings all over the nation are being broadcast to show just how active people have become and thats only one example of American disputes coming up, being for or against this Health Care Plan.
Will having this Health Care Plan destroy the country? I cant answer that. But what I do know is that Americans are coming out of their homes to discuss a change that has never before taken place in America, and thats significant. I firmly believe in order for this country to be destoryed our spirit would have to be destroyed and spirit is something that is hard to kill. Whether or not your for the Health Care Plan is not my point but rather an example, my point is that this one example stirs enough emotion and passion in people (which it should) that they are talking about it, thinking about it and arguing over it. " We, the people," are not going to stand by and just let the government (aka people we put in charge) change our country without being heard ourselves.
Sarah Vowell may think that this country is falling apart or will fall apart, but I think the contrary. As long as this country can hold onto what it was founded on, we will continue to thrive. Does the Free Health Care Plan support this countries fundamentals? Well thats the million dollar question isnt it. Because if it cant, will it be a big enough change to scar or bring down The United States? I really dont know. But I do care, as we all should. I dont think this country needs to be left because theres no hope of saving it, I think it needs to be supported in a time when people are pulled in such severly different directions because of how they want they're country run.
We dont need to abandon the country because theres no hope of uniting the people now that there are so many changes that are threatening to be made. We just need to remind ourselves that there is more to this country than just being able to push for what you want, theres also living in harmony with those who want differently than you do.
Thats awfully hard thing to do though. But then again leaving your place of birth for unknown land in the shadow of a murderous king all because of what you believe is a hard thing to do as well...What if that challenge had never been taken?...
Monday, August 24, 2009
Condemnation vs. Kindness
America relies on the strength of its people and their choices. We are free to make our own choices and live our own lives and yet we are united in our freedom to represent a proud whole.
We are constantly in a turmoil because we have this freedom, this right to do as we wish. The decision to be kind and love eachother in order to live together is one of the biggest challenges we face. Sarah Vowell touches on this point a multitude of times. How could she not? It is the essence of Jon Winthrop's speech. She recounts a story of Winthrop giving a theif wood from his own woodpile after being reported by another member of the community. Instead of punishing the man he simply supplies him with wood to cure him of this thievery.
This is a classic example of heart felt generosity and the Puritan way of loving thy neighboor. And it was quite a charming story.
But whats important about this story? Its that even though this man broke the law and and should have gone to jail, it was more important to use common sense and help him rather than condemn him.
I dont argue that this man not going to jail was lawful. In fact in order to satisfy the law he wouldve probably had to have spent only one night in prison. But was following the letter of the law more significant than why this man was stealing? No. Because showing kindness when a person needs it is a more effective lesson than prison ever will be.
We are constantly in a turmoil because we have this freedom, this right to do as we wish. The decision to be kind and love eachother in order to live together is one of the biggest challenges we face. Sarah Vowell touches on this point a multitude of times. How could she not? It is the essence of Jon Winthrop's speech. She recounts a story of Winthrop giving a theif wood from his own woodpile after being reported by another member of the community. Instead of punishing the man he simply supplies him with wood to cure him of this thievery.
This is a classic example of heart felt generosity and the Puritan way of loving thy neighboor. And it was quite a charming story.
But whats important about this story? Its that even though this man broke the law and and should have gone to jail, it was more important to use common sense and help him rather than condemn him.
I dont argue that this man not going to jail was lawful. In fact in order to satisfy the law he wouldve probably had to have spent only one night in prison. But was following the letter of the law more significant than why this man was stealing? No. Because showing kindness when a person needs it is a more effective lesson than prison ever will be.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Analysis of A Model Of Christian Charity
John Winthrop began his and his fellow Christian's journey with words meant for comfort, guidance and inspiration. What he delivers is a speech of timeless philosophy and life-guiding principles.
He expounds upon one common lesson that will be the reacurring theme to his hearty words, that we must love and honor all around us, friend or foe in order to succeed in our societies and in particular, The New World. In telling the excited yet wary Puritans that God has made it human nature for there to always be the fortunate and unfortunate, he sets the stage to empower the listener's as "God's chosen people." He is ultimately preparing them to bear the burden and gift of a "covenant with God" so that God may manifest his spirit among them in what is to be "a city upon a hill."
Winthrop is insightful in weaving together supporting passages from the Bible, such as giving all you can to those in need, putting aside your own interests for God and Love being the bond of perfection.
Not only is he knowledgeable of the meanings of their sacred Bible but he knows how to answer the people's worries and questions. Particularly their concerns about just how much they should be giving away and just how much they need to sacrifice to satisfy the Lord. Winthrop uses an interesting combination of commerce and kindness in his replies to the people.
For example, Winthrop stresses how important is to love thy neighboor and give to him when he is in need, but he also tells the people to not over extend themselves. In other words, do not give your house to a homeless person so you and your family will be forced out onto the streets, but rather do what you can for them without putting a stranger before you loved ones.
He guides the people to not only be generous whenever they see need of it but to be generous in their love for God by putting his will before their own. They must put aside any petty desires of their own to better themselves in serving the Lord. But part of serving the Lord is doing what
God has already given as guidance to follow Him.
This is how Winthrop shows the people that loving eachother and doing all of what he has said thus far in achieving success for The New World is indeed God's will.
The peak of these rich words and heart felt phrases comes when Winthrop tells the people of Love being the bond of perfection. Here is a poignant piece of wisdom that applies to all people living as a community, religous or not. We are a body of one people, and to the Puritans the body of Christ. Love is first a formost a bond and in it's kniting us together to imbody Christ it becomes perfect.
This is when Winthrop makes a clear and beautiful statement of God's desire and his own desire for the Puritans in their New World. God and Winthrop want the Puritans to support eachother in their quest for religous peace and in doing so build a close and loving village. They cannot and will not survive if they do not bring together their lives to build one glorious life for all under God.
He expounds upon one common lesson that will be the reacurring theme to his hearty words, that we must love and honor all around us, friend or foe in order to succeed in our societies and in particular, The New World. In telling the excited yet wary Puritans that God has made it human nature for there to always be the fortunate and unfortunate, he sets the stage to empower the listener's as "God's chosen people." He is ultimately preparing them to bear the burden and gift of a "covenant with God" so that God may manifest his spirit among them in what is to be "a city upon a hill."
Winthrop is insightful in weaving together supporting passages from the Bible, such as giving all you can to those in need, putting aside your own interests for God and Love being the bond of perfection.
Not only is he knowledgeable of the meanings of their sacred Bible but he knows how to answer the people's worries and questions. Particularly their concerns about just how much they should be giving away and just how much they need to sacrifice to satisfy the Lord. Winthrop uses an interesting combination of commerce and kindness in his replies to the people.
For example, Winthrop stresses how important is to love thy neighboor and give to him when he is in need, but he also tells the people to not over extend themselves. In other words, do not give your house to a homeless person so you and your family will be forced out onto the streets, but rather do what you can for them without putting a stranger before you loved ones.
He guides the people to not only be generous whenever they see need of it but to be generous in their love for God by putting his will before their own. They must put aside any petty desires of their own to better themselves in serving the Lord. But part of serving the Lord is doing what
God has already given as guidance to follow Him.
This is how Winthrop shows the people that loving eachother and doing all of what he has said thus far in achieving success for The New World is indeed God's will.
The peak of these rich words and heart felt phrases comes when Winthrop tells the people of Love being the bond of perfection. Here is a poignant piece of wisdom that applies to all people living as a community, religous or not. We are a body of one people, and to the Puritans the body of Christ. Love is first a formost a bond and in it's kniting us together to imbody Christ it becomes perfect.
This is when Winthrop makes a clear and beautiful statement of God's desire and his own desire for the Puritans in their New World. God and Winthrop want the Puritans to support eachother in their quest for religous peace and in doing so build a close and loving village. They cannot and will not survive if they do not bring together their lives to build one glorious life for all under God.
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