"When men stop believing in God, it isn't that they then believe in nothing: they believe in everything." ~UMBERTO ECO, (Foucault's Pendulum)
Saturday, June 13, 2009
True. Sad. But True.
"The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments." - William E. Borah
7 comments:
Anonymous
said...
What do you think it means to "submit to" burdens? J
In this case, I would think submitting to a burden would mean coming under the thumb of the government. The next question that would come to my mind would be, is every submission valid? For example, an Islamic government would, by the very definition of the name Islam, require unwavering submission. However, I would be hard-pressed to submit myself to such a government because that would require a rejection of my faith.
Ever notice how the 10 commandments always sound more impressive in King James English? It's not nearly as ominous, and lordly to put it in 21st century vernacular: "Don't lie." Just doesn't leave the same cudgel-like impression, does it?
Submission can be done willingly or under duress or with reservation. It is not always a choice; sometimes it is survival, as in the case of oppressive governments. But who would willingly submit to burdens? Christ did. His disciples did. People who were martyred did ... or did they? This week I carried a burden. Some of it probably was not intended for me; some of it was unavoidable. But I still carried it. Sometimes we willingly carry burdens that are oppressive -- that are destructive to our health and well-being. Sometimes it looks like there is no other choice, but we have more choices than we realize. I am speaking from experience. I know that life is fraught with burdens. James speaks about those and encourages us. "Count it all joy ..." Is that only when carrying a burden for Christ's sake? Does that refer to those believers, during that time, who were undergoing persecution for the sake of the Gospel? Jesus knows all about governments that are oppressive. Even this weekend, we are watching and waiting to see if there will be a bloodbath in Iraq. When I watch the news, whatever burden I am carrying seems so light in comparison to those that others are shouldering. My story, in light of the bigger story sometimes looks insignificant and even seamlessly woven into something much greater. But ... if he cares when a sparrow falls ... J
7 comments:
What do you think it means to "submit to" burdens?
J
J.,
In this case, I would think submitting to a burden would mean coming under the thumb of the government. The next question that would come to my mind would be, is every submission valid? For example, an Islamic government would, by the very definition of the name Islam, require unwavering submission. However, I would be hard-pressed to submit myself to such a government because that would require a rejection of my faith.
I'll wait for you to respond.
This interesting quote from a 19th century progressive Republican sounds a wee like a modern day Libertarian, eh?
Cheers,
Wyatt
Wyatt,
And there's absolutely no way that I'd be attracted to any type of Libertarian sentiments.
Pop quiz: which of the 10 commandments did I just break?
Ummm... thought shalt not covet thy neighbours philosophy?
W
Heh. You've got the right grouping.
More specifically, 'thou shalt not lie'.
Ever notice how the 10 commandments always sound more impressive in King James English? It's not nearly as ominous, and lordly to put it in 21st century vernacular: "Don't lie." Just doesn't leave the same cudgel-like impression, does it?
Submission can be done willingly or under duress or with reservation.
It is not always a choice; sometimes it is survival, as in the case of oppressive governments.
But who would willingly submit to burdens? Christ did. His disciples did. People who were martyred did ... or did they?
This week I carried a burden. Some of it probably was not intended for me; some of it was unavoidable. But I still carried it.
Sometimes we willingly carry burdens that are oppressive -- that are destructive to our health and well-being.
Sometimes it looks like there is no other choice, but we have more choices than we realize.
I am speaking from experience.
I know that life is fraught with burdens. James speaks about those and encourages us.
"Count it all joy ..." Is that only when carrying a burden for Christ's sake? Does that refer to those believers, during that time, who were undergoing persecution for the sake of the Gospel?
Jesus knows all about governments that are oppressive. Even this weekend, we are watching and waiting to see if there will be a bloodbath in Iraq.
When I watch the news, whatever burden I am carrying seems so light in comparison to those that others are shouldering.
My story, in light of the bigger story sometimes looks insignificant and even seamlessly woven into something much greater.
But ... if he cares when a sparrow falls ...
J
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