Ethics Reading Reflection – Erin Kruger April 16th
Occupy Religion and The Occupy Handbook
Rieger and Pui-lan present a theology
of the multitude grounded in the Greek ekklesia
nature of church, God’s place in restoring relationships while siding with the
abused and exploited, and a consideration of ecclesial practices and rituals
that could structure this faith community.
Within light of the Ocuppy Movement’s focus on the ineffectiveness of a
top-down economy and the oppressive powers in a hierarchical economic
structure, these authors point out that the default images of God are dominant
and powerful. The classic theism
originating from dominant Roman philosophical ideas of God as omnipotent,
immutable, and impassable contributes to another oppressive hierarchical power
system in which God is at the top.
Striving to reimagine these concepts of God through scriptures in which
Jesus lives and teaches mercy, kindness, and a preference to the poor also
means a reimaging of neighbor towards appreciation and respect.
The articles
in the Occupy Handbook range in topics from Voluntary Financial Transaction Tax
and Medicare to Global Capitalism through Smuggling. Each author offering different critiques on
the current economic system supporting their understanding as to how America
(and the world) got here and what could perhaps change towards something more
positive. I must admit, I am still very
fuzzy within Gross’s explainations of Procyclicality as to the physics of
leverage, and find While and Li’s background on the difficulties of bankruptcy
legislation and reform fascinating, mortgages in general I find an elusive
realm. It was Mathews article on a
“Globalization from Below” that struck a chord with my worldview. In response to a story of the reality of a
merchant being cheated, Mathews explains “It’s
a common story, but most merchants talk neither or cheating more of being
cheated, but only of their ongoing efforts to make a living in a business whose
parameters, due to ever-changing rates, an ever-changing flow of customers, and
an ever- change array of phones for sale, are always difficult.” (Kindle, 462)
In a world
in which making a living is always difficult, the theology of the multitude
attempts to give a deep sense of hope rooted in God. Addressing these
very real everyday concerns, so quickly can become life or death especially in
developing countries, also must address who God is and as followers of God how
to live within broken relationships, class oppression, and as events of Monday
April 15th feature – violence.
Rieger and Pui-lan’s question if the dominant images of God speak to our
experiences (especially in The Occupy Movement) and the implications to how we
understand both humanity and divinity.
Although ones own anthropology does impact their theology, I have become
suspicious of approaching God through human experience if not also explicitly
also through scripture and tradition. My
own human experience is, like so many others, very broken, and it becomes easy
through that brokenness to want God on “my” side. Grounding in study, solidarity with the
community, and scripture all guide me to agreeing with many of the solutions
offered in envisioning what church could mean from the bottom up. I simply hold tightly to keeping the focus of
the faith and the church on God, and allowing a firm grounding in the love of
God to be what nurtures and inspires people of faith to care for every other
living thing.
I am drawn to this quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer (in Letters and Papers from Prison) "It is only by living completely in this world that one learns to have faith.... In so doing, we throw ourselves completely into the arms of God, taking seriously, not our own sufferings, but those of God in the world."
Yes - let's reimagine God together.
Yes - let's live in solidarity with one another with appreciation and mutual respect.
Yes - it's going to be hard.
Yes - let's challenge oppressive hierarchical systems like the economy.
Always through and with the Triune God who lives and walks in the world as is it, guiding us towards a world as it should be.
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