So many parts of this were what I needed to hear, Christine. Thank you! But one of the most sensitive and attuned things anyone ever anywhere has written (pardon my tendency toward hyperbole but I was raised by religious extremists, dontchaknow) is what you wrote about how it is OK sometimes to look away from these gigantic, complex, grief-provoking tragedies if and when we need to, rather than going under into overwhelm and than reflexively striving to hold our own feet to the flame and try to goad ourselves into "I've got to save them all" types of actions, and feeling wracked with guilt if and when we can't seem to summon the energy to try to take such action. So thank you for that.
P.S. I know I owe you an e-mail. Big apologies! I don't know if you saw it, but I left a longish comment (days after the fact, shucks) on your very thought-provoking "Jesus Christ Superstar" post, at least. I'm trying! [cringe cringe cringe] [insert apologetic face emoji] I am out here thinking of you, even if it hasn't been evident in comments on your recent posts and/or in e-mails of late.
Thank you for being who you are and doing what you do. The world is a better place because of you. And congratulations on finishing that race. Wow!
Hi MK! Thank you! I need to respond to that previous comment - I did read it and as always, much appreciated it :) I want to respond back there but it might come in email form!
I'm glad to help give you permission to look away from horror. I'm mostly following my own advice and realized that probably, lots of us (esp exvangelicals) need to hear that it's okay to not put ourselves through pain just because we think we "should." Sometimes we need to educate ourselves and do what we can... and other times we need to give ourselves a break.
Thanks so much for your encouragement. It means a lot!!!
Hubris is an apt description of the fuel to the zeal and the self-righteousness I had when I was yet swimming in NAR adjacent waters (and that I have to check in myself to this day). But it’s also because I witnessed in a sort of gaslighting way the steady radicalization of my neo-charismatic home church in Quebec and likewise of Youth With A Mission that I’m weary, even scared, of the influence of the NAR in American politics. Dominion theology is compelling to those indoctrinated from youth to crave power (like supernatural gifts) and purpose and to do “something big for God.” And its deadly corrosive.
As I’m beginning to heal my nervous system and reclaim my voice that had I shut up as part of my mask to stay safe as an undiagnosed autistic in parachurch and church ministry, I too not merely want to have the eyes to see but the voice to speak and the courage to press on. Thanks for being a source of encouragement on that journey.
I gotta say, it feels rather unfair that youngsters are indoctrinated in such a way that they become full of self-righteousness they might not otherwise have had! Such a good point about the deadly corrosion of dominionist theology and the inflated belief that the "true believers" will change the world for god by indoctrinating or forcing beliefs (or political stances) on others...
I'm glad you're here, sharing your thoughts and experiences with us!
lol don't let my chicken wing arms fool you - I wish I had muscles there! And... congrats on that period of calm and hope you enjoyed it while it lasted ;)
Omg we should just have a running assumption on these comment sections / threads where we share what our special interest has been lately. 100% support yours, feel free to share whatever (/whenever) you want 😄
I knooooow I'm nervous about the election! Doesn't help living in this county where I'm sure about 75% of ppl will vote no on Issue 1 and also elect a "culture wars" kind of mayor, but ... maybe good news at the state level?!?!
Congrats again on finishing an amazing run, Christine. I have never seen a finish photo that looks so overjoyed with triumph! 🙌
Really great insights about hubris as the common factor in the war and the rise of a christofascist speaker in the House. The great crime Hamas, Israelis, and Mike Johnson all commit is elevating themselves and their ideas above our common humanity which, according to our founding documents, entitles us ALL to LIFE... and LIBERTY... to live as WE choose, not as others choose to force upon us.
I also really resonated with the same passage Kandi did. It’s such a wise solution that seems like it may have come from your higher self: "My wish for us is this: the eyes to see, the voice to speak, the heart to hold compassion, and the steely courage to press onward."
Thank you, Chuck! Ooh my higher self is presenting me with some wisdom, yeah? (even when our conversations are intertwining intense spirituality with Israeli/Palestinian conflicts, perhaps that's just part of gaining eyes to see with and growing hearts of compassion!)
So many parts of this were what I needed to hear, Christine. Thank you! But one of the most sensitive and attuned things anyone ever anywhere has written (pardon my tendency toward hyperbole but I was raised by religious extremists, dontchaknow) is what you wrote about how it is OK sometimes to look away from these gigantic, complex, grief-provoking tragedies if and when we need to, rather than going under into overwhelm and than reflexively striving to hold our own feet to the flame and try to goad ourselves into "I've got to save them all" types of actions, and feeling wracked with guilt if and when we can't seem to summon the energy to try to take such action. So thank you for that.
P.S. I know I owe you an e-mail. Big apologies! I don't know if you saw it, but I left a longish comment (days after the fact, shucks) on your very thought-provoking "Jesus Christ Superstar" post, at least. I'm trying! [cringe cringe cringe] [insert apologetic face emoji] I am out here thinking of you, even if it hasn't been evident in comments on your recent posts and/or in e-mails of late.
Thank you for being who you are and doing what you do. The world is a better place because of you. And congratulations on finishing that race. Wow!
Hi MK! Thank you! I need to respond to that previous comment - I did read it and as always, much appreciated it :) I want to respond back there but it might come in email form!
I'm glad to help give you permission to look away from horror. I'm mostly following my own advice and realized that probably, lots of us (esp exvangelicals) need to hear that it's okay to not put ourselves through pain just because we think we "should." Sometimes we need to educate ourselves and do what we can... and other times we need to give ourselves a break.
Thanks so much for your encouragement. It means a lot!!!
Came here to say the same thing. Excellent post, Christine.
Thank you, Stephanie! And yay, it's nice to see you here!!
Hubris is an apt description of the fuel to the zeal and the self-righteousness I had when I was yet swimming in NAR adjacent waters (and that I have to check in myself to this day). But it’s also because I witnessed in a sort of gaslighting way the steady radicalization of my neo-charismatic home church in Quebec and likewise of Youth With A Mission that I’m weary, even scared, of the influence of the NAR in American politics. Dominion theology is compelling to those indoctrinated from youth to crave power (like supernatural gifts) and purpose and to do “something big for God.” And its deadly corrosive.
As I’m beginning to heal my nervous system and reclaim my voice that had I shut up as part of my mask to stay safe as an undiagnosed autistic in parachurch and church ministry, I too not merely want to have the eyes to see but the voice to speak and the courage to press on. Thanks for being a source of encouragement on that journey.
I gotta say, it feels rather unfair that youngsters are indoctrinated in such a way that they become full of self-righteousness they might not otherwise have had! Such a good point about the deadly corrosion of dominionist theology and the inflated belief that the "true believers" will change the world for god by indoctrinating or forcing beliefs (or political stances) on others...
I'm glad you're here, sharing your thoughts and experiences with us!
"My wish for us is this: the eyes to see, the voice to speak, the heart to hold compassion, and the steely courage to press onward." Yes!
Look at all your muscles!! 💪🏻 I had a period of calm where I didn’t let all the Christofascism get to me, but I’m pretty sure it’s over.
lol don't let my chicken wing arms fool you - I wish I had muscles there! And... congrats on that period of calm and hope you enjoyed it while it lasted ;)
Hubris. That’s it exactly.
My recent special interest has been learning all that I can about “separation of church and state” 😅
Here’s hoping we get some good news in Ohio tomorrow 😱🙃🫣
Omg we should just have a running assumption on these comment sections / threads where we share what our special interest has been lately. 100% support yours, feel free to share whatever (/whenever) you want 😄
I knooooow I'm nervous about the election! Doesn't help living in this county where I'm sure about 75% of ppl will vote no on Issue 1 and also elect a "culture wars" kind of mayor, but ... maybe good news at the state level?!?!
Congrats again on finishing an amazing run, Christine. I have never seen a finish photo that looks so overjoyed with triumph! 🙌
Really great insights about hubris as the common factor in the war and the rise of a christofascist speaker in the House. The great crime Hamas, Israelis, and Mike Johnson all commit is elevating themselves and their ideas above our common humanity which, according to our founding documents, entitles us ALL to LIFE... and LIBERTY... to live as WE choose, not as others choose to force upon us.
I also really resonated with the same passage Kandi did. It’s such a wise solution that seems like it may have come from your higher self: "My wish for us is this: the eyes to see, the voice to speak, the heart to hold compassion, and the steely courage to press onward."
Thank you, Chuck! Ooh my higher self is presenting me with some wisdom, yeah? (even when our conversations are intertwining intense spirituality with Israeli/Palestinian conflicts, perhaps that's just part of gaining eyes to see with and growing hearts of compassion!)