You commented on LO3929, which I believe is where I talked about the need
to be aware of the scope and power of ignorance.
Christopher said:
>Aren't there elements in what you said and in other messages that coincide
>with Christ's teachings in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, 6, and 7,
>...
I'm a recovering Catholic, and my eye is still somewhat jaundiced, but I
agree that there are connections in Matthew, e.g., "Blessed are they who
know their spiritual poverty..." but I'm concerned that phrases like
"Blessed are those who are hungy and thirsty for righteousness" are used
to justify all manner of narrow pursuits, and that's what concerns me.
The concept of righteousness has gotten the human race into more trouble
than anything else. I'm thinking of the range of human experience - from
parents who insist on inculcating beliefs and behaviors in their children
that the children don't need, all the way to the myriad approaches to
oppression through warfare, slavery, and command-and-control management
methods. Come to think of it, I'm beginning to think that the arrogance
of ignorance - pushing ahead without considering what we don't know - is
the (root?) cause of most of the oppression human beings have experienced
in the past several thousand years. Well, maybe not - greed and fear seem
to loom large in that context, also.
But Matthew also talks about conciliation and says, "Love your enemy and
pray for your persecutor". There's some hope in this, because this sort
of attitude breeds compassion, which is a pretty good antidote for both
righteousness and ignorance. It doesn't necessarily help one learn facts,
but creates a spirit of forbearance, which is enough.
Matthew 7 opens with "Do not pass judgment, that you may not be judged"
and continues in the entire chapter with some of the best advice ever
given on compassionate and ethical living.
>especially when we look under some of the denominational and traditional
>overlays upon Christ Jesus' teachings?
Maybe some, but for the most part I'll just say I emphatically disagree
and let it go at that. Maybe this is the point our conversation should go
private.
>And aren't there workplaces changing as we individualy experience some
>rearranging of attitudes, as you put it, and shift our behavior accordingly?
I'd like to think that's true. We have two advantages over our forebears:
one is a brief but still growing trend toward personal awareness, and the
other is worldwide telecommunications. We have the opportunity to change
ourselves and share our learning with others around the world, and vice
versa. All we need to do is treat our learning as never complete, our
values as only way to see the world.
>I'm so glad to be a subscriber to learning-org. Chris
Me, too. The stimulation never ends.
Dave
-- David E. Birren Phone: (608)267-2442 Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources Fax: (608)267-3579 Bureau of Management & Budget E-mail: birred@dnr.state.wi.us"Our future is to be food - Wisdom's gift - for what comes after us." -- Saadi (Neil Douglas-Klotz)