I love words, and every once in a while one will pop into my head and I'll have to look it up again. For example: Recapitulate.
Fitting, seeing as how I want to continue (finish?) the discussion (rant?) I started yesterday.
I left off suggesting that we can't just "live and let live" because others would die (physically, metaphorically, spiritually, etc). But since people hold strongly to opposing views, what's to be done? Both sides often feel like the other is "The Enemy" and that truth resides on this side of the line. But as rational, intelligent, educated, and truly caring people, I think there are two things we can/should/must do:
1. Find the real enemy. While filming MathTacular, we said hunger is the enemy. The problem is not that Luke suggested we move a light. He's not trying to sabotage the shoot. No, we're just hungry and it's time to take a break.
As Christians we should have an even greater insight. And, no, it's not that Obama is the Antichrist. Rather, we know who the Enemy is. We know what he does, how he works, and know how to put him down.
Or, we should.
The problem--for me, at least--is that I often operate as a functional atheist. No wonder we have trouble recognizing the Enemy.
...that reminds me, for some reason, of one of my all-time favorite blog posts. If you haven't read it yet: Do so.
2. Consider your epistemology. How do you determine what is true/right/accurate? And the variance between these answers is what allows us to be ideologically 180° from each other.
If we could openly and accurately acknowledge our epistemological views, I think things would start to become much clearer. The step after that, the next impossible step, is to hash out where we are intellectually inconsistent. That would, I think, bring much more consensus in the world.
The difficulty of both of these steps often leaves me to throw up my hands. I can't do it. We can't get there.
And that, I propose, is why we find we can't do anything.
~Luke Holzmann
Filmmaker, Writer, Expectant Father
P.S. Of course, when I'm not functioning as an atheist, I realize that I can at least pray.
Ariana, I'm so glad to hear that I've been able to positively impact your life... no matter how minor the impact. Thanks for the encouragement <smile>. And you are most welcome!
Heather, glad I'm not the only one <smile>.
~Luke
Good post.
And hunger is often the enemy.
I really appreciate the links in your post today, Luke. They've really stopped me in my tracks and caused a 180.
The combination of the two, read one after the other, really helped it all sink in.
There were way too many parts that I very much enjoyed reading to comment on any specific thing.
The poem about the 1 corinthians verse, though, really opened my eyes.
Thanks :)
Se7en, big fan of bread here too... both kinds <smile>.
~Luke
He! The amount of mind bending I am supposed to do in the pre-dawn, I tell you! Just to say, and this is not very mind-bending: but our food schedule is the reason our house functions... fed people are happy people. No wonder Jesus said: "I am the Bread of Life."