“Politically speaking, tribal nationalism…always insists that its own people are surrounded by a ‘world of enemies’—‘one against all’—and that a fundamental difference exists between this people and all others, it claims its people to be unique, individual, incompatible with all others, and denies theoretically the possibility of a common mankind long before it is used to destroy the humanity of man.” -Hannah Arendt
by Pastor Donnie Brooks
Marcellus United Methodist Church
pastordonnieb@outlook.com
“Whoa, whoa!” you might be saying. “Why is something “political” being mentioned in the ‘Contemplative Corner’ section?” Well, firstly, I am emphasizing “tribalism” here. This “tribalism” here is something just as prevalent in religion or spirituality, say, as it is in politics. It’s often the case, too, that politics becomes “religious”, or religion becomes “political” (depending on how one looks at it). Arendt was speaking to a time of Fascism (in its original sense) in Italy, Nazism in Germany, Stalinism in the Soviet Union, and where authoritarian states (whether “fascist” or “communist”) would spring up across the whole globe. We’re in a time where authoritarianism may seem to have the upper hand…or is at least gaining ground where it had been kept at bay for decades. Tribalism is at its roots. We need any enemy and where our tribe is always right, everyone else is always and absolutely wrong!
Now, of course, we’re focused on religion: the potential tribalism there. We see where a particular religion, say Christian “evangelicalism” in the US, especially the heavily politicized versions, may feel that it is being attacked at all sides. Sure, it is the dominant Christian population in the United States: both in number and likely in political influence (though both are on the wane). But it feels that it is a victim of the changing tides of culture and religion. It wants exclusivity. It wants to be in control. To be the worldview that educates the world. It wants to teach its doctrines. It wants to oppose the doctrines of others. It wants to prescribe morality. Because it is being threatened and it is being sought to be destroyed. Or so it thinks. Most dominant groups, in times of change, feel threatened
It is surrounded by a world of enemies. No longer, perhaps, communists: Soviet or Maoist. But it’s now “liberals” or “progressive” Christians, wolves in sheep’s clothing, seeking to steel its flocks. Or maybe it’s supposed Muslims (all a whopping 1.34% of the US population) trying to impose Shariah law based on their own faith (do they see the irony? And have they ever actually met any Muslims before?). Or maybe it’s the New Atheists, the agnostics, evil scientists (even if they are Christians), the “spiritual but not religious” camp. Or maybe its “foreign” religions (even though they may have been here nearly as long as or longer than Christianity). You know, indigenous religions (Native American or African or Pacific Island), or Eastern religions (Buddhism, Daoism, Hinduism/s, etc.). Or, lastly, perhaps, it’s just the devil pure and simple: George Soros himself.
No, this type of paranoia is not a good mindset to uphold. Why can’t we see these other groups just as we might see ourselves. They are being good people (we hope) in their own spheres just as we might be in our own (we also or especially hope!). Not every one of our “enemies” may be all sweet and good and friendly (we may not be either!), but we may be surprised that if our goal is to find a common humanity, we’ll probably find it. If our goal, however, is to find demons and enemies everywhere, we’ll also find that too. We may not be too far from destroying our neighbor…when we were just supposed to love them.
Sabbath on the Sabbath
Saturday, August 2, 10:00am
Marcellus United Methodist Church, 197 W. Main
Open to all who are looking for “a quiet, serene beautiful sanctuary to spend time with God”
For more information, email Pastor Donnie at pastordonnieb@outlook.com
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