Balancing our need for Autonomy with our need for Belonging...

Culture has a real, inextricable presence within the religious community. They are both tightly woven threads in the tapestry of humankind. The geographical sprawl of religion often causes cultural identity tension at the borders of the expansion. However, technology has given religious communities a different way of sprawling.

Technological sprawl looks much different than geographical sprawl. One of the differences is that religious and cultural identities converge deeper within and throughout the global group. Previously, undue tensions were resolved at the geographical borderline; however, technological sprawl means large groups must learn to mediate tensions rising up virtually (!) anywhere.

Now that technology is bringing the ends of the world into such close proximity, how do members of a religious group that are from a minority culture identity relieve the pressure and tension between themselves and the dominant cultural identity that is often (always?) tightly woven into religion?

It seems to me that people who join a group (i.e. religious) with a much different dominant culture will do one of two things to cope with the tension. They will find or create a subculture that reflects/aligns with their cultural identity, or they will adopt the dominant culture as their own.

My question is this: Why do humans have such a difficult time belonging to a like-minded group (ex: religious beliefs), while espousing a personal identity that does not necessarily conflict with this group, but also does not align with that group's dominant expression of identity?

Is it simply because we are social creatures with such a strong need to bond with fellow humans that we would rather sacrifice independence personal expression at the altar of group cohesion?

A thought on peaceful relations...

Following Buber's injunction to let the Other be integrally themselves brings us closest to discovering those points of resemblance and convergence between us.

Rather than dismiss or despise the distinctions that
flow away from our points of convergence, look first at these cross-points. Do they not provide a mutual point of agreement to begin from?

Finding the courage to come towards each other- to pass over this bridge (i.e. crossing point), both sides have the best chance of genuinely understanding the other through growing knowledge of one another.

Though each one may remain in disagreement over much, perhaps both may find that fear and disdain have utterly departed. Besides, familiarity ensures the discovery of similarities amidst the differences.

Just as darkness cannot reside with light, ignorance cannot remain alongside knowledge.

Overcoming the darkness between "I and Thou" occurs not only by accepting our differences, but by accepting the existence of ourselves in the Other.

That is love.

Written by Paula R. Howell, April 30, 2011

David Christian: Big history | Video on TED.com

David Christian: Big history | Video on TED.com

Ong (Orality and Literacy) spoke of the importance of human language, and the distinction of literacy in particular. Literacy is integral to "collective learning". Thus far, there hasn't been another species to exhibit this *powerful* ability. It makes us astonishingly different-- distinct from every other intelligent life form that we have discovered. But a trait can be terrible or terrific....
If you can't find 17 minutes for Christian's lecture- skip to minute 13... Find out more.

YEARNINGS

I yearn for stillness of movement and mind,
Timelessness found
always and only
in the presence of this moment.

I yearn for solace for my bereaved soul.
Sanctuary found
deep within
Where Love waits.

Peace on Earth: Comments about Religion and Technology as great Forces which Connect and Divide Humanity.

Religion is a ancient, powerful force. No doubt about that!

But religion has a long war record in human history. How can humanity achieve peace, while there are such differences between groups of people?

A relatively new power- but prevailing upon humanity with impressive force- is technology. We need to consider the profound and transformational effect that technology has had on humanity. We should be asking how this technology relates to the pursuit of peace on earth for mankind.

One of my professors said, "Technology giveth and technology taketh away." So I think a good question is: How has technology advanced *AND* thwarted the pursuit of peace among humankind???

Historically, distinct groups have often warred, but in "flat", linear expansion/contractions at borders. They also used to be able to ignore each other more easily/often, or at least find respite within their own borders.

One of the things technology has done is to bring the ends of the earth into closer proximity than ever before. Groups have less respite because our technology has everyone so connected that the (over?)exposure is multidimensional and permeates on these levels throughout groups and societies. It is as if everyone is heaped forcibly onto each others laps, so to speak, yet are strangers!

Maybe we have let our technology disrespect healthy personal boundaries. Maybe we needed that natural space. Maybe I am way off... I am not a historian, nor a Poli-Sci major, but I am just trying to think this through- and have a discussion with you.

But seriously, technology has advanced so quickly that humanity has not been able to catch it's breath, much less figure out how to manage it most beneficially.

Back to religious differences:

Different groups living in one community peacefully do so because they have some basic knowledge about each other (removing ignorance goes a long way to removing fear).

Firstly, religiously illiteracy is a problem, not only in our country but in the world (ignorance is a common culprit).
Secondly, thinking that peace between religions is achieved by melting away differences (koom-ba-ya) is the wrong approach!
Unity is not achieved by disrespecting real distinctions- but by understanding and respecting these differences.

Remember when this country was known as a melting pot of diversity? There were subcultures within the mainstream American cultures, where people could reside in relative peace. We respected the differences between us while living united under one flag (or tried to), didn't we?

The American tapestry was woven together (subcultures intact), and was all the more strong for her diversity. United but distinct. I think THAT is where/what America needs/wants to be.

What is NOT disposable?

My mother used to say, “Waste not, want not.”
Ah, the WWII generation!
Those were the days when leftovers were quickly eaten
or promptly “recycled” into the next meal.
A young couple would buy their first home,
raise all of their children in that home and then
retire there (after 30-40 years at the same company).
The dinner meal always took well over an hour to cook.
You know I am telling the truth- and it wasn’t that long ago.

Fast forward (a whopping three minutes, or so!)
and what do you find?

Suddenly, everything is extra-disposable and extra-fast.

An obvious, commonplace example of this,
especially in the West, is the drive-thru
(Apparently, it takes too long to write “through”).
Billions of people around the globe regularly partake in a diet of
fast-food in paper wrappers eaten while hurrying off to wherever.

We thoughtlessly throw things out as quickly
as the plastic cards made them appear.
Landfills are overflowing.
Courts are overflowing
(with divorce, bankruptcy cases, et cetera).

How many people do you know (outside of the WWII generation) who have lived in the same house for more than twenty years- or even fifteen?

Is it not commonly advisable to change jobs-
or at least positions, every three years or so,
to avoid looking professionally stagnate?

Whew!

Then there are issues like how often and easily people are aborted, euthanatized, and sold as slaves- though I admit these are not new problems...

There have always been the poor, the homeless drifters.
But now even the affluent have become transients-
perpetually moving into new neighborhoods.

There has always been murder,
though now many ways of taking human life are socially acceptable and accessible to the masses.

There are always been slaves, but technology has exacerbated
human trafficking problems exponentially.

I am going to pause..........

Who wants to offer a comment or two?
Let's get the discussion rolling!

uNpLuGGeD !

Later this spring
(brrr! This is Minnesota)
I am planning a little experiment
which will take me into
(drum roll, please)
...technological isolation.

I will be media free,
television screen free,
computer free
and mobile phone free…

I'll even be people free.

That’s right folks.
I’m going off the grid and into the woods!

You see, I have been wondering
if modern society has gotten
into a state of mind where it is
psychologically inconceivable to
truly unplug.

Think about it.

No electricity or running water.
No music.
No media.

Nothing tethering me safely down.
Just my gear in a pack and
a couple of great books.

Techno-Nekked
Alone with nature.

sigh

Nature...
Doesn't that include
"Cougars and Spiders and Bears- Oh my!?"



Ummm.
I might lure my eldest son into coming along.

In any case, when I return I will post
a report reflecting on my little experiment
which I will (predictably) call "Unplugged"

or maybe I will just call it "Nekked!!"

Until next time... ciao!