07 Jul, 2011
When I set off from LA one month and one long state ago, I thought I was setting off to engage in dialogue that entailed me telling others what I thought about Christianity and its relationship to ecology. I thought I was going to teach. What I’ve found is that I am on this journey to learn. As I learn, I am most grateful for those who have been willing to learn with me. Together, we’ve set aside our differences or stepped out of our comforting similarities and gained immensely from facing our ignorance.
NOTE: I’m trying something new this week. I’m going to split up the blog a bit into two different posts that will be spaced out by a few days. That might just mean that you get this Special Edition preachy/touchy-feely blog on Interdependence, but maybe it will make for two thematic, more focused blogs. Next post in a few days: “Mountains.” Stay tuned!
For the last few years, I have moved in social circles in which the words “evangelical” and “conservative” were anathemas. I developed sentiments for those words that wavered from condescension and disdain to fear and anger. This week, I had several experiences that dismantled those sentiments. I realized through these interactions how my prejudices separated me from others and hindered my ability to love my neighbors. By relegating those neighbors to categories, I prevented myself from knowing and loving the people I had categorized. This is a lesson I will surely learn over and over again. But I hear it’s clear ring in my ears now, and for that, I am grateful.
The devise effects of categorization are apparent in our behavior as a nation. For many, “the environment” is a liberal issue. This cannot continue. We must shift the rhetoric that claims ownership of or repulsion by environmental concern. The future of our planet—of us and our children—depends on it. If we claim the love of neighbors, we must set aside our political agendas and categories.
While individuality and personal freedom are important, it is also crucial that we acknowledge our interdependence. None of us exists in isolation on this planet. Everything we do is dependent upon others. In urban life, everything we use, consume, sell, or exchange is based on the behavior of others. Even if you live in total isolation, you are dependent upon others for food—whether those are human “others” or plant and animal life. Living on this planet requires interdependence. Our actions necessarily affect our neighbors. By getting to know my neighbors and the land in which we all live, I am learning a love that transcends independence.
There are many fine spices of people that flavor this blog with their presence. Some folks are religious professionals. Some are spiritual-but-not-religious. Some are born-again Christians. Some are atheists. Some are wealthy. Some are not. Whoever you are or however you categorize yourself, I thank you for being you. I am happy to know you and/or to share this experience with you.
Until we meet again
Less dependent upon categories
To love one another
More deeply than we thought possible.