Catching up

On Sunday mornings we are still in conversations about forgiveness and the many levels that it has. We branched out and viewed several programs on the topic and have used them as well to delve deeper into the study.

Several questions have come up of particular interest; Can one person provide forgiveness for and entire group? Should a group be asked to provide forgiveness for the actions of a few? These questions came out of the conversations promoted by the book The Sunflower, but also from the programs watched which presented issues involving Native Americans, African Americans and the history that is involved with White Americans and the treatment these groups received. These are difficult question to pose and discuss with an all white middle class Sunday School class. Who do not have the same experiences as those who have presented the subject. We try but I feel that we have much to discover in regards to being able to comprehend the complexity of emotions that individuals and groups feel when discussing forgiveness.

So until the end of May we will be in conversation on this topic.

How do we approach the topic?

We had a very lively discussion Sunday morning in class. Several of the members we surprised by the tone that several of the authors of the responses took in regards to forgiving Karl. It was suggested that unless you have survived a horror like Simon and some of the essay writers, then you could not have any way to understand the attitudes and thoughts shared. My question was if we can not “understand” how will we be able to prevent such things from happening again?

Jacques Derrida(1) suggests in “On Cosmopolitanism and Forgiveness, that “ In order to approach now the very concept of forgiveness, logic and common sense agree for once with the paradox: it is necessary, it seems to me, to begin from the fact that , yes, there is the unforgivable. Is this not, in truth, the only thing to forgive? If one is only prepared to forgive what appears forgivable, what the church calls “venial sin’, then the very idea of forgiveness would disappear. If there is something to forgive, it would be what in religious language is called mortal sin, the worst, the unforgivable crime or harm. From which comes the aporia, which can be described in its dry and implacable formality, without mercy: forgiveness forgives only the unforgivable. One cannot, or should not, forgive; there is only forgiveness, if there is any, where there is the unforgivable.”(2)

I propose that in his own way, Derrida was also struggling with the aftermath of the crimes committed during WWI. The world had been turned upside-down and endured one of the worst chapters in modern history and philosophers and theologians alike were searching for a way to come to terms with the horrors of the times. It was world where little made sense and pain and brokenness were everywhere in Europe. We, in the United States did not suffer in the same way, little or no fighting took place in the continental US so that the vast majority of our population were shielded from the destruction, murder and horror inflicted during the way. Which leads me to question if I as an American born after WWI has the right to comment or judge the thoughts and feelings of those who survived? I may be putting to much thought into this, but I can not help but ponder the “why” the essayists took the position that they did in regards to the idea of forgiving Karl the dying SS officer in Wiesenthal’s book.

I suppose in relation to the larger topic of forgiveness understanding why people took the stand they did is not as important as the conversation that revolves around the concept of forgiveness.

(1) Britannica Concise Encyclopedia., Jacques Derrida, (born July 15, 1930, El Biar, Alg. — died Oct. 8, 2004, Paris, France) Algerian-born French philosopher. Derrida taught principally at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris (1964 – 84). His critique of Western philosophy encompasses literature, linguistics, and psychoanalysis. His thought is based on his disapproval of the search for an ultimate metaphysical certainty or source of meaning that has characterized most of Western philosophy. Instead, he offers deconstruction, which is in part a way of reading philosophic texts intended to make explicit the underlying metaphysical suppositions and assumptions through a close analysis of the language that attempts to convey them. His works on deconstructive theory and method include Speech and Phenomena (1967), Writing and Difference (1967), and Of Grammatology (1967). Among his other works are Psyche: Invention of the Other (1987) and Resistances of Psychoanalysis (1996). at Britannica.com

2 Derrida, Jacques, “On Cosmopolitanism and Forgiveness” ,English translation printed 2001 London, Routledge,., pgs. 32, 33.

Begining the conversation

Our first week of discussion centering on the topic of forgiveness and the story presented in “The Sunflower” was very interesting. We found that we had barely scratched the surface of meaningful conversation. The class grappled with a definition of forgiveness and what the act would look like. Many questions were posed; Is it necessary to forgive? Do we have a right to forgive an individual for the deeds against others? How do we forgive acts of murder and other crimes against persons?

Some members of the class found reading the story that Wiesenthal shares about an experience he had while in a Nazi prison camp to be especially difficult to read. Several others struggled with the realization that for them the story was less personal, but more historical. As you might guess that was a topic that was rather unexpected in our discussion. We do have several different generations that participate in our Sunday school class and often we do have very different perceptions on topics. For the people who lived through World War II the reality was still present for them and for those of us who are of the post-war generation we have grown up with the stories and the visual images of what took place in the camps.

Yet for some of us the realization that the acts of violence against the Jews, still take place in many regions of the world today against many different people. Darfur, Bosnia, Congo, and yes the Middle East countries of Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Palestine and Israel all have wars, violence against women and children; genocide still happens, but we tend to find words that soften the reality of the atrocities. How can we forgive those who commit such brutal acts against other human beings? Do we have a right to forgive them if they ask for our forgiveness? We have many questions and very few answers.

These are just some of the topics we are discussing in our morning together. Yes, religion does play a role in this discussion, but it is not simply an act that is based in any one religion. We have a number of weeks of conversation a head of us. I know I have been challenged to search myself as I read the book. It is a large and important subject to tackle. I’ll let you know some of the thoughts that others have on the subject as we proceed.

Conversations on Forgiveness

The adult Sunday school class that I lead is beginning a study on forgiveness. While this is a very large topic, and one that I think most of us have some difficulty with at times, I believe it is an important thing to discuss. We have been looking at different materials and settled on the book, The Sunflower by Simon Wiesenthal., to uses as a basis for study and conversation.

I find that this subject is always one that elicits many reactions and thoughts. It is a concept that is driven by emotions as well as intellectual processes. It is a topic that all religions, philosophies and cultures seem to incorporate.

I hope to be able to share some of the conversations we have over the next few weeks in regards to the topic. It is a relevant topic in light of the political and social events these days.

A Glorious Day

Tuesday was an exciting day for me. I watched as the new President took the oath of office and was moved and overwhelmed at the historical significance of the day. Having an interest in history I could not help but reflect upon the meaning of Barack Obama’s presidency for so many Americans as well as people all around the world.

I was also reflective upon the gift that my parents gave my brothers and myself as we were growing up of believing that all people were equal in every aspect. Living in a small town in Ohio, with nearly no minorities during the sixties and seventies, I did not have many opportunities to meet people who where of different ethnic backgrounds but that did not stop my parents from instilling in me the importance of the messages that Dr. King and the civil rights movement were bringing forth during that time.

I remember watching the marches, the speeches, the riots and wondering what it was all about. I was taught that there were many people who did not have the same rights and privileges that “white” Americans did and that they were struggling to gain these freedoms and to be treated the same as those people with whom I grew up with and attended church with. My dad borrowed from the library the documentary “Eyes on the Prize” at a time when you hade to have a projector to see it to teach us about the Civil Rights movement and the events and hardships that those active in the struggle had to endure. (Yes, there was a time before DVD’s and Videos that made it more difficult to see movies!”) That made an impression on me then and it continues to guide my actions and believes today.

I will always be grateful that I was able to see such change in attitudes and people in my life time. I am glad to see someone from my generation leading the country. It is a bit strange for me to realize that the new President is the same age as one of my brothers and that for the first time I am older then the President!

Tuesday was an important day for me and my family as well as so many people in the United States. Where we go from here is, as it has been suggested, up to the people to do our part in making our country and our world a better place to raise our children and our grandchildren. Politics aside, I know I will continue to hold the leaders of this country Republican and Democrat alike in to the light, praying for honesty, compassion and wisdom for all as they do the work that needs to be done.

Getting ready for change

Here in the States the big news is of course the changing of the governing powers. I am glad to be seeing a change in the administration. The excitement is building as we get nearer to the Inauguration next week. I must admit I am pretty excited about the new President and am hopeful that his words will be followed by actions that confirm the rhetoric from his campaign. I will pray for the President and the members of his administration, much like I prayed for the Bush administration.

Now I do not feel much sadness at the change, in fact I am glad that the Bush administration is “out” of power, but I do feel great sadness at the opportunities that were lost over the last eight years for real positive change to have taken place. I have to ask is the world safer then it was? Are we more secure then we were do to any of the actions taken? Are people in this country and around the world closer to achieving peace and understanding? My answer is unfortunately a big NO.

Do I think that one person can make that much of a difference in the lives of so many? Yes is my answer! I am hopeful that my new President will be able to bridge many of the gulfs that surround us here in the US but also those around the world. I am hopeful that people will find a renewed commitment to making a difference in the lives of those around them, in a positive way and yes I am hoping for a kinder, gentler world in which to live.

Will all of this be done by the actions of one man? No, it takes all of us to commit to change and to be willing to work harder and longer to make change happen. I am. For the first time in a very long time, hopeful that people will be able to work together a bit better, listen actively, and keep an open mind to what others are saying. We do not have to agree, but we do need to be willing to find common ground in which we can live, work, and play. I pray that we can find those places and that our actions, thoughts, words and deeds can reflect a new sense of purpose and that the Spirit will move among us, guiding us as we work for peace.

It snowed here over night, not a lot, but enough to make a nice covering. Something I have always appreciated about snowfall it the quiet it brings. As I sit and ponder what to write today, I can not help but think about how in many parts of the world the noise is overwhelming; bombs exploding, gun fire, screams of the wounded and dying, the cries of the hungry and homeless. I am grateful for the quiet I am privileged to experience day in and day out for I have not had to “hear” the world in the ways that so many others have had to endure. Yet many times the quiet of my home is broken by the laughter of family, the racing of our cats up and down the stairs, birds in the tree outside my window, the occasional car that drives by. I am humbled enough by the silence I experience to ask for forgiveness for any complaining I might do under these circumstances when so many would relish that type of noise.

Following the blog of the Christian Peacemaker Team currently in the Middle East, I am reminded that just hoping for peace and wanting peace does little to achieve peace. I know that my role is limited; I can only do what I can for today to achieve peace in my home, community and country. However, I can pray with the conviction that if there is an overwhelming cry from everyday people around the world that a small amount of peace may be achieved and from that the “mustard seed” a mighty movement in the Spirit will convince people that Peace can be attained for all people.

Renewed intrest in poetry

In the last few weeks I have realized that I need to do some additional reading. Now, I do read a lot, novels, history, science fiction and lots of other things, but one area thathas been lacking in attention is poetry. I have always enjoyed reading poetry and I guess that goes back to my childhood. My mother is a big fan of poetry and as kids she was always reading or writing her own poems and reading them to us.

I’m not sure when I lost sight of poetry in my everyday life. I have a number of collections that I enjoy. I am always listening to the Poet’s Corner on or local Public Radio Station, but I cannot remember when I last read a poem. Actually that is not quite right; I have read a number of the poetic verses found in Psalms on a fairly regular basis. But to read a poem by Robert Frost or Emily Dickinson, I can’t remember when I last opened a book to take in the prose and poetry they offer.

It is funny that all of a sudden I find that I have a great need to delve into the world of poetry once again. I wonder if I am searching for words to describe my feelings in a way that only poetry can do? There is something in the very nature of poetry that touches the soul, I can’t really explain it, but I do feel it.

So if I was going to make a resolution for 2009 I would have to say that it is “to read more poetry”. What about you?

Here is a poem I would like to share:

Peace Everywhere

Peace, everywhere, peace today!
Peace in lands of scruffy trees and pine,
Peace in lands of olives and wine,
Peace in lands where peaks are white,
Peace in lands where fields are bright.
Peace in lands of oasis and sand,
Peace in lands where people band,
Peace in lands where children play,
Peace in lands where people pray,
Peace in lands in the thick of the fight,
Peace in lands ruled by force and might.

Everywhere, everywhere, peace this day!
Pray that all world leaders lead the way,
Encouraging moral people to stand proud and tall,
No government too great, no nation too small.

Joseph T. Renaldi

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/peace-everywhere/

Well we are a wild and wacky group! We had this photo taken when we celebrated mom & Dad’s 50th Anniversary in 2007. Clarence and I, my brother & Sister in law Tom and Patti, and of course our brother Tim. I have a photo of the three of us when Tom was still in high school and we were goofy even then. Some things just don’t change! Poor, Patti & Clarence to have married into such a family. Ah well, at least we are able to have a good time, laugh and not take ourselves too seriously (well…except Tom maybe).

I have been thinking a lot about my family the last 6 months or so. Mom & Dad really have had a difficult time with numerous medical issues. So many in fact that Tim moved back to Ohio after almost 30 years of living in the Southwest, Texas & New Mexico. Tom, Patti and the kids will be leaving for Germany in June, so we won’t be seeing them for quite a while. Usually Tom is stationed at his assignment for at least three years. While that does not sound like a very long time at first, when you think about how much the kids will change during that time, it takes on a new meaning.

Balance in research

I visited a new web site today and found it to be interesting. http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/

I try to research different sites when I am learning about an area of interest. Often here in the US we are unable to really obtain a "whole" view of an issue covered by the media outlets. I would not go so far to say that our media is controlled (but I do wonder about that) however I do feel that I have a responsibility to find other sources. I find the BBC to be pretty good in it's coverage and explanations on topics, but as with many things it too has a bias.

I know the excitement I often feel when I begin to research information on an event or topic on the web is due to the realization that there is a large number of places I can go. I can seek out places beyond the bounds of my life, to discover people and ideas that are vastly different from what I am in contact with in my daily experiences. Yet there is a hesitation that creeps in as I do "surf". I want to believe what I am reading, I want to embrace the ideas of others but that doubt of what is true under lies my quest. I guess being cautious in accepting everything as being"true" is not a bad thing, but it does bother me.

So I will continue to tread carefully and attempt to obtain a balanced perspective of events and issues as I venture out into the world.