Winning Words 8/20/09
“The trouble with life isn’t that there is no answer; it’s that there are so many answers.” (Ruth Benedict) The church group to which I belong is currently in a convention and, among other things, will be discussing human sexuality and how it relates to the Church. Benedict, an anthropologist, objects to generalization and abstraction, when it comes to characterizing the human being. She would have us be more understanding of differences that exist among us. ;-) Jack

FROM R.I. IN BOSTON: Over all the millenia the one subject that has forever confronted us is the concerns of human sexuality. The Church dispensed its own answers, but generally to the disinterest of the people. There is so much new data that's been compiled about human sexuality and needs to be examined objectively. That convention you mentioned better be a long one.

FROM HILLTOPPER JOHN: No bias or slant in those words, is there? FROM JACK: The point that I tried to make is that in the questions that life poses, there are many answers. You can read into it what you choose.

FROM S.H. IN MICHIGAN: Having so many answers is indeed a trouble for us humans with our limited
understanding. I believe it is only God who can give us more understanding of the differences that exist among us, may God give us hearts open to sharing and hearing the different stories we are living. I strongly believe our church group is doing well and going to be OK.

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: That's why we were given the Bible. It has the answers...but sometimes we don't like what we read so we change it to fit what we feel is correct. I am praying for the correct answers always. Free will though, don't always mean we choose the correct answer. FROM JACK: We each make the choices we make, because God has given us free will. People read the same biblical words and come up with a variety of interpretations. We read and come up with our own interpretation. Usually this is colored by listening and reading a variety of other interpretations. There are many answers.. "Choose this day etc."

FROM INDY GENIE: Ruth and I would get along just fine. FROM JACK: She had an interesting life. It's worth the time to Google her story.

FROM MOLINER C.F.: If we didn't question so much, we wouldn't need so many answers. Sometimes faith is answer enough. FROM JACK: Faith usually comes from asking questions.

FROM R.G. IN AZ/MI: I think the idea that one can suggest that there are "so many" answers, indicates that one doesn't necessarily find the answer(s) in one simple idea. As we make new discoveries in physics or in our own personal constructions, we are confronted with the complimentary adjustments to be made -- or ignored altogether [living in a fantasy -- like our governmental officials]. Faith exists in the unknown, not the known! You are right on the money with your comment regarding the development of one's faith through the process of questioning. As Socrates would suggest: we are better served to ask more questions rather than to think we can have all the answers. By the way, we are the Church. It isn't a "thing" that exists outside of us! Hence, "it" cannot speak for me/us -- we are it! FROM JACK: Thanks for your perceptive comments. Check for news of the Church assemby NEWS@ELCA.ORG Not all government officials are living in a fantasy world. The Executive, the two Houses, and the Judiciary each have a role to play. There will never be unanimous
agreement on decisions that each branch makes, but that's the system we have....and that's life. As with the Church, we are "the Government."

FROM CWR IN B'MORE: ......here in Baltimore, two of those with whom I socialize or worship and have as friends ,each in different settings, one a Policewoman and the other a health care worker , are both Lesbians. That's how it relates to the Church and society. We're all hungry and looking for bread.

FROM EMT SINGS IN MICHIGAN: Amen!

FROM CJL IN OHIO: So what else is new?