11.28.05
Posted in faith, politics at 2:29 pm by brandon
I know it’s a surprise, but I got to thinking about faith and politics this weekend. It all started as I was reading Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz. My nitpicking here notwithstanding, I love this book (so far.) Anyway, the phrase that got me thinking here was Miller’s assertion (and I’m paraphrasing here) that Jesus knew not to mix politics with spirituality, it’s a shame that Christians don’t typically follow suit. (I think he asserts this in the Ren Fayre chapter for those of you who’ve read the entirity of the book.)
Now, I’ll admit, I haven’t really read ALL of the book. So, if somewhere else, Miller clarifies this thought, my apologies. However, I’m not so sure that I agree that Christians shouldn’t mix politics with spirituality.
Here’s my thinking: if we’re spiritual (meaning, of the spirit) shouldn’t that affect the whole of our being? Put differently, shouldn’t we be spiritual kingdom builders in all we do? Doesn’t faith necessarily coincide with politics? Isn’t that an essential part of faith that it comes into contact with life–all of life, even?
I think I understand what Miller was REALLY talking about, of course. He was making, in my view, a point about how Christian spirituality often gets prostituted, whoreing itself out for the aims of political conservatism. However, I don’t think that Christians are to separate their politics from their faith. Because, frankly, politics matter.
It’s my contention that it’s not the mixing of politics and religion that is the problem with Christianity. The problem is the fact that the brand of religion that most often gets mixed with politics isn’t one that recognizes God, Jehovah, YHWH, or however you choose to refer to her as God. Rather the so called “Christian” religion that’s mixed with politics that is problematic is one that worships our Wal-Mart temples, prays to our Barnes & Nobles, and humbles itself in the sight of Starbucks.
It’s not the mixing of religion and politics that’s the problem. The problem is the wholesale confusion of US-ian economics with spirituality.
So, how’s that for a can of worms.
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11.21.05
Posted in life, travel at 4:04 pm by
Well friends, it’s been some time since I’ve written. I’m sorry that things have gone down as such. I was away in Boston at a conference. I really liked Boston. It was fun. I’m pretty sure I even met some of you who frequent this place, and so to those of you who introduced yourselves, thanks!
Wierd things, conferences are. However, one thing’s certian: I’m woefully behind on my life. And, unfortunately, that means that I’m going to have to take a break from obsessing over writing blog entries and obsess about eating turkey, writing papers, doing research, writing personal statements for PhD admission, and generally catching up on the living of a more realistic (less jet-set) lifestyle.
So, stick around, discuss things, it’s just that I might be a bit lax about how quickly I’m able to remove spam, or I might not see all of your comments the moment they happen–but, I’m still around, and I’m still staying in touch…just a little less touch than usual.
Anyway, if you were wondering some events that were transpiring around here, here’s a short recap of the past evening:
- Audrey and Jacke are getting into a discussion about national health care plans and what works and what doesn’t here.
- Also, Uncle Sam is getting heated about the way we all hate Walmart here.
- Finally, Alexis shares some of her own thoughts and a story on body image here.
[service announcement]
One final thought. This one’s about blog ettiquette. If, by chance, I’m spammed, and a spammer fucks up my “Recent Comments” section, the appropriate response is not to make a comment of your own complaining about how you can’t see if people have replied to your comments on my blog. Especially is this the case if said spammer strikes between the hours of, oh, say, 2 and 6 am (EST). When I read your comment at 7am that’s complaining about my laziness at keeping my own blog free of comment spam, I start to resent you. Then, I start to play out little scenarios where I use various torture devices on you until you go mad or are pulled apart at the limbs–whichever comes first.
So…if you don’t want to be the object of my sadistic little fantasies involving chinese water torture devices, padded wagons, and large masked men named Igor, grant me a tad of grace with the fighting of the great spam battle.
[/service announcement]
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11.14.05
Posted in faith, politics at 11:02 pm by
Contrary to what Homer Simpson will tell you, the solution to all the world’s problems isn’t beer. Of course, nor is it the cause of all the world’s problems. Actually, beer doesn’t have anything to do with the post I’m setting out to write this evening. It’s really just a nod to my title and the Simpsons.
What I would like to talk about, however, is capitalism. I think many of you rightly guessed from my last post that I’m not really opposed to the free market. In fact, I think it’s a pretty friggin’ cool idea. In principle, the free market should generate wealth for the hardest working and give back to the community. And, as many would agree, this system isn’t really working well any longer.
So, the question was raised, what do we do about it? Well, I’ll admit I probably haven’t got a complete or satisfying answer. If I did, I’d probably be out running around evangelizing that answer, and probably having lots of followers. Instead, I’m here in my office writing about Homer Simpson, beer, and capitalism. So, take my thoughts for what they’re worth. (Of course, it occurs to me that you’re sitting there reading me blather on about Homer Simpson, beer, and capitalism…so you probably haven’t got the answer either.)
I think, to answer the question, how do we fix these holes in capitalism, we first must understand the nature of the problem. My most fundamental stumbling block with capitalism as a system is that the end goal of capitalism is not fundamentally the Kingdom of God. Shocker, I know. The end goal of capitalism is to generate wealth.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I think wealth is pretty cool. I’d love to be wealthy someday. I think it’d be great. And, further, I don’t think there’s anything essentially wrong with wealthy people. However, any system that does not have the end goal of bringing in the Kingdom is going to fall short of the mark.
Capitalism tends to instill in its adherents the idea that the gaining of things denotes success. Now, this might not be an essential component of capitalism, but like it or not, greed is an offputingly common byproduct of the system. Greed, though, has no place in the Kingdom of God.
So, how do we fix capitalism? Hmmm. I’m just not sure. I suppose when I’m pressed I’d have to admit that I’m not sure that ‘fixing the problems of capitalism’ is what people should be doing. I don’t know that even a fixed capitalism is the direction that the Children of God should be pursuing with reference to their Kingdom work. Such a view makes me think that capitalism is some sort of vehicle of social salvation. I simply cannot believe that to be the case.
That’s not to say that the tenents of a national socialism would be any better at bringing the kingdom. I suppose, I just see the two as fundamentally neutral–both fallen to be sure–but fundamentally neutral ways of ‘doing’ society. In that framework, it doesn’t make much sense to say that one is ‘better’ than the other. The minute we claim that, is the same minute we start to settle for the status quo, and things start to go to shit, quickly.
So, I suppose, to me the idea of ‘fixing capitalism’ or ‘fixing socialism’ is a bit foreign. I think that, rather, Christians should go about fixing the Church so that it stops holding up either capitalism (or for a much smaller contingent of Churches, socialism) up as some sort of God. Even to say that capitalism is a ‘better’ system than most seems a bit foreign to me…better or worse in reference to what? I mean, if we’re moving in the wrong direction (and I’d say that the Fundagelicals often are by being slaves to consumerism) it doesn’t much matter who’s better or who’s worse.
Our government, and oh is it ever hard to admit this, is not, nor should it be, the primary vehicle of the Kingdom of God. The Church is that vehicle. That’s my beef with folks like Haggard, and that’s why I find it so difficult to answer the question!
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11.13.05
Posted in politics, culture at 12:48 pm by
I got to thinking this morning about the tenets of capitalism. I’ve been inspired by a great conversation Zalm has going on over at his blog about the free market and Christianity. Further, my thinking was drawn along by a little junket Jen and I made last night to a local (in the sense that it is near our house) eating establishment. In the sense that the buisness is owned by someone in the community, our trip to Friday’s was in no way a trip to a local establishment. However, it is our friends (who were our dinner companions last evening) favorite place to eat, so we went there.
Some of you will remember a post that I wrote a while ago about spending our money at places that are worth patronising, adding value to your local community, etc. Really, that post is a modest defense of capitalism. That is, it defended the idea that casting our votes (spending our money) at places that are a benefit to their surrounding community is a good thing to do.
In theory, such a thoughtful capitalism sounds like a good idea.
Let me tell you the story of two restaurants. One is named Caramba’s. It is the little mexican restaurant that I told you about about a year ago. The food was great, the service was fantastic, and it was an investment into our local community to purchase food there. 100 percent of the proceeds that this restaurant gained would eventually be invested back into the community of Grand Rapids. A great place to spend money, both for quality of food and for the community.
Last night, we ate at Fridays. The food wasn’t that good, the service was probably a shade worse than the food, and while some of the proceeds, I’m sure, were invested back into the community, much of the money the restaurant makes is also given back to a corporate entity. Realistically, buying food at TGI Fridays isn’t doing much for your community. You certainly aren’t getting much bang for your buck.
Theoretically, capitalism says that the market shops where they choose. Thus, it would make sense that places that benefit the community should do well. Thus, all is right with the world.
Unfortunately, Caramba’s went out of business at the end of this summer. It turns out they just couldn’t compete with the TGI Fridays, Logan’s Roadhouses, Famous Dave’s, Taco Bells, and Chilis of the world. Capitalism works in theory, but not in practice.
In practice, we Americans are shaped by the media, by our culture, and by the ads we see almost every minute. TGI Fridays has the money to pour into national and international advertising campaigns. TGI Fridays has the power to ‘win’ the battle over competitors not because of some altruistic motives that the buisness provides, but because it’s popular. I’m telling you, they’re not popular because people like going to Fridays (though I’m sure people do), but they’re popular because they’ve got the money to tell us that they are popular.
Capitalism is broke. It doesn’t work. It used to work. Before the days of the multinational corporation, when the small business was the primary foot soldier of the free market, capitalism probably really did reward hard work–to some degree. Those days, however, are gone. Capitalism will on rare occurances reward hard work, but with increasing regularity, capitalism now rewards privilege and old money.
The downfall of capitalism was individualism. In a society where we think of others more than we try to think of “me” capitalism could thrive. Unfortunately, we don’t have a culture that thinks of others. We’ve got a culture that rewards selfish action. Self-gratification is the purpose of money, not contributing wealth to the community.
Now, it’s true that free market Christianity supporters like Ted Haggard are crowing about how the free market generates wealth for the community. I would respond that wealth for individuals in a community does not make for a wealthy community. Especially not when the individuals gaining the lion share of the wealth were wealthy to begin with. That smacks frustratingly of a theology that says it’s okay to pave the streets with the poor as long as the rich have it well off.
This fairy tale that the free market generates wealth for a community is certainly an appealing one for the rich. I mean, wouldn’t it be great to know that you really didn’t have to change your lifestyle and could still be contributing to the poor. That’s why such a groundswell of support is likely to follow a character like Haggard. Hell, I’d love to believe that by shopping at Wal-Mart and eating at the local Chain Restaurant ™ I was contributing to the well-being of the most disadvantaged. It’d be great, I wouldn’t have to change my lifestyle at all!
It seems to me that if such a free market system was so good for communities’ wealth, we should’ve seen some empirical evidence of this by now. We should see communities to whom we’ve offered free trade benefits gaining wealth. We should see companies to whom we outsource buisness offering their employees better benefits and improved working conditions, right? Am I the only one who’s missing these folks’ improved condition?
Now, I haven’t given up all hope on capitalism. I still support initiatives to buy from organizations that have real value for communities (both here and abroad). Fairly traded goods are a great example of some of the fruits that a thoughtful capitalism could possibly reap. And, I’m so diluted as to think that a national socialism is without all ills (though, I admit that the thought of all people being able to go to the doctor when they’re, you know, suffering from a potentially crippling disease sounds appealing.) But, in the end, I just can’t believe that the free market would’ve been how Jesus would’ve handled society. I can’t imagine that Jesus would’ve left the well-being of the poor to the whims of a trickle-down system where the rich were given the luxury of continuing their lives in comfort.
Jesus was just way too hands on for that.
This all brings me back to Caramba’s and TGI Fridays. If capitalism was really contributing wealth to the right places, it wouldn’t be so hard for a buisness like Caramba’s to stay in business. BUT, it’s not. I’ve just got to pray that we don’t lose too many more places like Caramba’s to realize that capitalism isn’t a Savior–and the minute we set it up as a God it becomes an idol like everything else that we falsely set up as a God.
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11.11.05
Posted in fun at 9:35 am by
Sometimes, I just need to write. I know, it sounds like an odd way to blow off steam. And, I readily admit that I am, in fact, a geek. Something’s been bugging me about my blogging habits, of late. I think what gets my goat is that I haven’t really turned out anything laughable in a while.
Now, I know all three of you stop by for my in depth cultural and religious critique, by sheer wisdom in the face of adversity and my patient, kind hearted demeanor (yes, friends, that was me laying the sarcasm on with a shovel). But, sometimes, a blogger has to write to make him / herself laugh.
Oh, I could just remember back to the time I wrote about my trip to the swankiest mall in Michigan (and the events that transpired therein). Or, I could, perhaps peruse my thoughts on the perfect rinse. But, I wish, this Friday I could recount a new story. One that hasn’t graced the pages of a bad Christian blog yet.
But, quite honestly, I can’t think of something worthy of telling. And, that positively depresses me. Have I really run out of material? I mean, sure, Benjamin and I could go on another masturbation euphemism rampage, paranthetically, if anyone would like to participate in a google bombing of the previous link, I’m in favor. Or, I could weigh in on Benjamin’s flag debate. (If you’re wondering, a great place to get your daily dose of funny is at Benjamin’s site. If you don’t visit regularly, start now.)
You know, in the end, remembering those funny blogosphere moments are almost as good as creating another. So, that was my personal trip down funny memory lane, what’s yours?
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11.10.05
Posted in fun at 7:46 am by
You are Statler or Waldorf.
You have a high opinion of yourself, as do others.
But only because you are in the balcony seats.
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Those two old guys in the box.
SPECIAL TALENTS:
Heckling, complaining, being cantankerous
QUOTE:
“Get off the stage, you bum!”
LAST BOOKS READ:
“The Art of Insult” and “How To Insult Art”
NEVER LEAVE HOME WITHOUT:
Their pacemakers.
What Muppet are you?
brought to you by Quizilla
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11.09.05
Posted in faith, culture at 7:34 am by
Zalm, who I’m quite proud to call a friend, wrote this.
Go read it.
Now.
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11.08.05
Posted in blogvention at 5:57 pm by
Dearest Blogventioneers,
If you were curious, blogvention is a little gathering I’ve been planning for the last few months. Okay, it’s been like a year and a half. In order to get a little taste of what exactly I’m talking about when I use the word “blogvention” check out my blogvention category.
There should be lots of merriment; I also hope that the nectar of the Gods (beer) should flow quite freely.
Blogvention is set to coincide with another fantastic convention hosted by Calvin College called the Festival of Faith and Writing. It should be great, in addition to the blog-community, there’ll be a number of other cool folk in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
It has come to my attention that Registration for the Festival of Faith and Writing has just come online! So, if you’re planning to come to FFW / blogvention, now may be the time for you to start making those plans.
If you’re driving, you should check out the ride board forum that I’ve got up at: blogvention.badchristian.com. There you can find info about blogvention, ask questions, check on sharing a vehicle with other blogventioneers who may be coming from your neck of the proverbial woods. Also, there’s a section where prospective blogventioneers/FFMers can see about splitting hotel suites (read: sleep for cheap at a place that’s not a dive.)
If you have questions, check the blog category first, then the bulletin board, then email me! I’ve got a rough figure of folks who’d be coming, and I won’t ask for you to sign up again, at least not right now. When we get closer to the big hurrah, I’ll probably get an ‘official’ headcount.
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11.06.05
Posted in faith at 6:30 pm by
First off, welcome to all of you who’re coming here via the ColinMcEnroe Blog Class. If anything strikes your collective fancies…feel free to chime in! I’m honored to have y’all around.
Steve, over at his blog, made what I believe to be a really good point. I know, I know, all I’ve been citing lately is Steve Chastain this, and Steve Chastain that. You’re thinking, “Brandon, if you keep this up, people will start to wonder.” *wink, wink, nudge, nudge*. Well, I don’t care. Steve’s had some pretty good thoughts of late, so I’m springboarding, dammit.
Anywho, Steve was reflecting on what Jesus would or wouldn’t do. Here’s a brief excerpt:
First, if those of us who are outside of church and are thinking we can make it on our own without sincere face-to-face connections with other Christ-followers… we are wrong. We just can’t. Christ was our example as he gathered around him those who he could share his life with, encourage, challenge and then they learned together what it meant to to do the second part, which is…
As a church, those in leadership better get serious real quick about sharing how vital it is to build relationships and be friends with those who don’t go to church. And I don’t mean to become their friends with an agenda or a means to an end to get them to your church functions. Pastors need to ask themselves how many friends they have, real friends, that aren’t Christ-followers and don’t attend their churches. To be succinct, how many “pagans” or “notorious sinners” do we have as our friends?
So as those of us here begin to ask the question “now what”, I am a certain of one thing… we need to be involved with the things Jesus would be involved with… and one thing I know, Jesus wouldn’t blog.
Now, there are a number of things I would probably disagree with here; however, I think we’re all pretty tired of disagreeing. It just gets old. So, I’m not going to disagree–at least not directly.
I’m going on the record as saying this: If we’re asking the question “What Would Jesus Do?”, we’re asking the wrong question. As far as I’m concerned I think we should have a big fucking bracelet burning ceremony. We can torch as many of those infernal things as we can get our grubby little hands on. Maybe we can roast some marshmallows over the gigantic open fire.
Here’s my point. When we objectify a phrase or slogan like WWJD, we miss the point. Why is it the wrong question? Well, because Jesus would probably be off healing the sick, and helping the poor, loving the unloveable, and hanging with the outcasts. I mean, seriously. The guy was a loser!
You’re never going to end up driving a Hummer pulling shit like Jesus pulled. Always talking about doing nice things for people, and loving ALL people. There’s no friggin’ way we’re supposed to be doing that. Who’d tell all the gays they’re going to hell, who’d be there to ensure that our taxes were constantly being lowered so that I could drive an ‘ever bigger’ SUV?
[/satire]
Less satrically, though, Steve’s right. Jesus probably wouldn’t blog. But that doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t. It shouldn’t be the ONLY thing I do (and it’s not) but frankly, I wholeheartedly believe that I should blog so Jesus doesn’t have to. Fundamentally, my question should be how should I be doing what I do so that I behave how Jesus would behave. The question is not what Jesus would do, but rather how is it he would have me behave based on gifts.
My answer to this second question, though, is more telling, I think. How would Jesus blog? Jesus would seek not to have a blog that gave all the answers. (He was kind of slippery when it came to easy answers.) He also wouldn’t have a blog that appealed to only Christians, or Jews, or Hindus, or atheists, or whatever…he’d be inclusive, and he’d foster a place where dialogue and discourse was valued.
So, while I agree with Steve, Jesus probably wouldn’t blog. I do think that we can see certain sorts of ways that Jesus would behave in an online community. I don’t think that the blog is the be all end all medium of spiritual choice…but it is a good one. And, one worth thinking about.
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11.05.05
Posted in fun at 7:41 pm by
I have a weakness for Christmas music. And, God knows, now that Halloween (Reformation Day) is over…tis’ Christmas season. I’m looking for some suggestions for good Christmas songs that I can download.
Here’s what I’m looking for…I like traditional Christmas songs, though newer ones are okay, too. Y’all know I don’t believe in secular/sacred so any classification is fine. I like the blues–a lot–I like folk music (also a lot), I particularly like music by popular artists that one might not associate with Christmas music (for example, The Barenaked Ladies, Natalie Merchant, Avril Lavigne (who has a kick ass version of O Holy Night), Bob Marley, etc…)
Here’s what’s currently on the ole’ iPod Christmas Music-wise. Any suggestions are very welcome. (However, if you want to criticise my tastes, you can just sod-off you bloody fools.)
Anyway, no further adieu and all that Jazz…ooohh…Jazz would be good too…:
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Martina Sorbara
It Came Upon Midnight Clear - Sixpence None The Richer
Maybe This Christmas - Ron Sexsmith
Rudy - The Be Good Tanyas
Sweet Secret Peace - Neil Finn
Gaudete - Mediaeval Baebes
God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Barenaked Ladies
Green Christmas - Barenaked Ladies
O Holy Night - Avril Lavigne & Chantal Kreviazuk
Song for a Winter’s Night - Sarah McLachlan
Go Tell It On the Mountain - Bob Marley & The Wailers
White Christmas - Roomful of Blues
Children Go Where I Send Thee - Natalie Merchant
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