I want to understand the “other” side and why they are so adamant about things that seem downright scary and weird to me so I’ve read several books on the “orange” man, Evangelicals and even watched a good deal of the “other” national convention. I wanted to look at the individuals and picture them as my neighbors and boy did I find all sorts of prejudice in my thoughts. That disappointed me as well as pointed out how quick I am to judge. Then, Nadia, you wrote about Jesus putting his finger in that guy’s ear and spitting on him and I was like “Duh!”, I have my finger in my own ear. It’s been such a great metaphor for me. (I think a lot in pictures) I still don’t get “them” and their passions but I am working on seeing them as my neighbor, the one I talk to over the fence. Some of my friends look at me as if I were a bad guy - also a good reminder of our whole f**ked up country right now. Carolann
It’s so good to hear the best of biblical wisdom. In my deconstruction I had to distance myself from the Bible for some years. I’m beginning to be able to reengage with it as a book of interactive wisdom as opposed to an inerrant transcript of sorts directly from God.
Peace and power and joy to you in your work and life!
Dammit, Nadia! I was already half dressed in my unassailably self-righteous outfit and then you go and say all this stuff. Sigh. Guess I’ll just change back into my pensive shorts and tee.
I so needed to read this right now—especially “I guess what I am saying is that my ego loves being “righteous” but my soul can only rest in a God whose mercy is great enough for all.” About the only way I find to shut off the madding, manic crowd across the political spectrum these days is to consciously limit intake of media noise—except for The Corners, of course: Thanks for your Voice in times like these, Nadia! And thank God that God isn’t made in our own image—Jonah’s or anyone else’s.
Thank you, Nadia. Sometimes, when I'm in the middle of a rant (out loud, on line, or just in my head), a little voice comes to me: "But Jesus died for them, too."
🙄
It's like God elbows me with a little snort and maybe a wink (the way a good friend would) to nudge me back to the truth. And sometimes I flip Him off while I'm putting my ego back into its playpen because I don't know how to get over my angst without a big tantrum.
The truth is that I'm scared. But I'm hanging in there. Sort of.
No whales have scooped me up and spit me out on a beach, so I guess I've not been called to rant.
PS - having come out of evangelicalism I understand the blinkered fear that motivates so many to embrace ideologies antithetical to simple goodness. And I know many of my former friends to be good people whose lives are marked by a lot of goodness and kindness. Empathy undermines bigotry. Love does and will conquer all.
Nadia, I feel your pain. I don’t want to demonize anyone. I just want my country back. I think of all the people who have deeply felt religious convictions that still support a bigot. We have a candidate who keeps saying that we have more that unites us than divides us, but it doesn’t seem that many are listening. I am starting to get very worried.
Me too! Thanks for your genuine honesty....we just have to push on, pray a lot, and continue to believe that somehow this will all turn out for the best for all of us.
We got back to our neighborhood after a groceries run a week or so ago -- and discovered that our next-door neighbors had planted a small yard sign, expressing a preference for a current Presidential candidate who we, y'know, simply can't believe anyone wants to see in the Oval Office. My initial response was disappointment: the neighbors, after all, have struck as perfectly lovely people in the 18 months we've lived here. How could they betray our 100% reasonable view of what "goodness" is like?
But then I thought about it some more. In the old days -- like, oh, say, the pre-1980s maybe -- nobody openly declared their electoral preferences. Many of the people we knew and loved or for that matter had no opinion at all about -- many of them had probably helped Evil Doofus X,Y, or Z get elected. And it worked the other way, too: many of the people we loathed or felt indifferent about had probably voted, line by line, exactly as we had...!
I'm not sure where it started, but I wish to God that we could return -- in that one respect -- to those days. I'm soooooo ready just to love the way someone for the way they treat their pets, or to be p!ssed off at them for the casual way they care for their lawn, without (respectively) dismissing them out of hand or making excuses for them.
You're right, Nadia: it *is* exhausting to be lured so unrelentingly into the trap of judging people -- especially people we know -- for this sort of reason.
Yup! Somehow we need to realize that we are all human beings. And yes, God loves all of us. Thanks for sharing that message. It seems to be one I need to hear over and over again.
As a subscriber, I continue to enjoy your postings & will continue to read, Nadia,….here comes the “however”….
With BOTH political sides (yes BOTH) presenting half truths, I was hoping to be uplifted by your writings without political commentary, which this recent writing included.
Like others, I wish your out & about visits included more areas; hopefully you’ll add more in the future!
Thanks for always presenting thoughtful postings….just please eliminate politics. I, like many I’m sure, will be glad when Election Day comes & goes
She is only speaking her truth. She also had a nephew killed by gun violence, so there are many causes near and dear to her. The GOP has made Christianity (their version) a considerable part of their party, so it's difficult to untangle it.
No. Speaking out about politics is absolutely necessary at this time. Our country depends on it. We can’t keep our heads in the sand - but we can try to love and forgive the “other.”
Talking about the effects of political unrest is not the same as talking politics. The uplifting message in this post is that God's love and mercy are available to everyone (even when our own egos get the better of us).
I really don’t want to keep harping on politics but saying keeping our heads in the sand speaks precisely to the political fallout issues of no one agreeing. I love Nadia precisely because we can hopefully all take a break from these insane political times…when we dwell on other opinions rather than our spiritual growth. I will now attempt to refrain from commenting on this topic. :)
I want to understand the “other” side and why they are so adamant about things that seem downright scary and weird to me so I’ve read several books on the “orange” man, Evangelicals and even watched a good deal of the “other” national convention. I wanted to look at the individuals and picture them as my neighbors and boy did I find all sorts of prejudice in my thoughts. That disappointed me as well as pointed out how quick I am to judge. Then, Nadia, you wrote about Jesus putting his finger in that guy’s ear and spitting on him and I was like “Duh!”, I have my finger in my own ear. It’s been such a great metaphor for me. (I think a lot in pictures) I still don’t get “them” and their passions but I am working on seeing them as my neighbor, the one I talk to over the fence. Some of my friends look at me as if I were a bad guy - also a good reminder of our whole f**ked up country right now. Carolann
It’s so good to hear the best of biblical wisdom. In my deconstruction I had to distance myself from the Bible for some years. I’m beginning to be able to reengage with it as a book of interactive wisdom as opposed to an inerrant transcript of sorts directly from God.
Peace and power and joy to you in your work and life!
Dammit, Nadia! I was already half dressed in my unassailably self-righteous outfit and then you go and say all this stuff. Sigh. Guess I’ll just change back into my pensive shorts and tee.
Funny!!!
LOL! Good one!
I would return to church if I could find one that told bible stories like that.
THANK YOU! This is exactly it. I am so exhausted and stressed right now - needed this perspective. Also - please come to North Carolina!!!
OMG, yes, we need Nadia to come to NC! How to make that happen?
Yes please!!!
I so needed to read this right now—especially “I guess what I am saying is that my ego loves being “righteous” but my soul can only rest in a God whose mercy is great enough for all.” About the only way I find to shut off the madding, manic crowd across the political spectrum these days is to consciously limit intake of media noise—except for The Corners, of course: Thanks for your Voice in times like these, Nadia! And thank God that God isn’t made in our own image—Jonah’s or anyone else’s.
Amen!
Thank you, Nadia. Sometimes, when I'm in the middle of a rant (out loud, on line, or just in my head), a little voice comes to me: "But Jesus died for them, too."
🙄
It's like God elbows me with a little snort and maybe a wink (the way a good friend would) to nudge me back to the truth. And sometimes I flip Him off while I'm putting my ego back into its playpen because I don't know how to get over my angst without a big tantrum.
The truth is that I'm scared. But I'm hanging in there. Sort of.
No whales have scooped me up and spit me out on a beach, so I guess I've not been called to rant.
Love your comment.
PS - having come out of evangelicalism I understand the blinkered fear that motivates so many to embrace ideologies antithetical to simple goodness. And I know many of my former friends to be good people whose lives are marked by a lot of goodness and kindness. Empathy undermines bigotry. Love does and will conquer all.
Empathy undermines bigotry. Amen to that!
Nadia, I feel your pain. I don’t want to demonize anyone. I just want my country back. I think of all the people who have deeply felt religious convictions that still support a bigot. We have a candidate who keeps saying that we have more that unites us than divides us, but it doesn’t seem that many are listening. I am starting to get very worried.
Me too! Thanks for your genuine honesty....we just have to push on, pray a lot, and continue to believe that somehow this will all turn out for the best for all of us.
Ouch..
We got back to our neighborhood after a groceries run a week or so ago -- and discovered that our next-door neighbors had planted a small yard sign, expressing a preference for a current Presidential candidate who we, y'know, simply can't believe anyone wants to see in the Oval Office. My initial response was disappointment: the neighbors, after all, have struck as perfectly lovely people in the 18 months we've lived here. How could they betray our 100% reasonable view of what "goodness" is like?
But then I thought about it some more. In the old days -- like, oh, say, the pre-1980s maybe -- nobody openly declared their electoral preferences. Many of the people we knew and loved or for that matter had no opinion at all about -- many of them had probably helped Evil Doofus X,Y, or Z get elected. And it worked the other way, too: many of the people we loathed or felt indifferent about had probably voted, line by line, exactly as we had...!
I'm not sure where it started, but I wish to God that we could return -- in that one respect -- to those days. I'm soooooo ready just to love the way someone for the way they treat their pets, or to be p!ssed off at them for the casual way they care for their lawn, without (respectively) dismissing them out of hand or making excuses for them.
You're right, Nadia: it *is* exhausting to be lured so unrelentingly into the trap of judging people -- especially people we know -- for this sort of reason.
P.S. Highly recommended:
https://www.5bigideas.com/p/what-really-matters
Yup! Somehow we need to realize that we are all human beings. And yes, God loves all of us. Thanks for sharing that message. It seems to be one I need to hear over and over again.
So, I'm a friend of Bill W., who urges us to pray for those we have a resentment towards. Changes us subtly.
Scripture tells us to pray both for our neighbors AND our enemies.
Awesome and timely observations. Thank you for making me uncomfortable!
Pray for those who spitefully use you. Hard sometimes, but produces empathy and aligns with the heart of the Divine. Love you, Nadia! Safe travels!
As a subscriber, I continue to enjoy your postings & will continue to read, Nadia,….here comes the “however”….
With BOTH political sides (yes BOTH) presenting half truths, I was hoping to be uplifted by your writings without political commentary, which this recent writing included.
Like others, I wish your out & about visits included more areas; hopefully you’ll add more in the future!
Thanks for always presenting thoughtful postings….just please eliminate politics. I, like many I’m sure, will be glad when Election Day comes & goes
She is only speaking her truth. She also had a nephew killed by gun violence, so there are many causes near and dear to her. The GOP has made Christianity (their version) a considerable part of their party, so it's difficult to untangle it.
No. Speaking out about politics is absolutely necessary at this time. Our country depends on it. We can’t keep our heads in the sand - but we can try to love and forgive the “other.”
Talking about the effects of political unrest is not the same as talking politics. The uplifting message in this post is that God's love and mercy are available to everyone (even when our own egos get the better of us).
I really don’t want to keep harping on politics but saying keeping our heads in the sand speaks precisely to the political fallout issues of no one agreeing. I love Nadia precisely because we can hopefully all take a break from these insane political times…when we dwell on other opinions rather than our spiritual growth. I will now attempt to refrain from commenting on this topic. :)