tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post7299316544946566349..comments2023-08-23T08:27:08.039-04:00Comments on UU A Way Of Life: Theodicy of the middle and upper classDavid G. Markhamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08336565533124142690noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-41506044483248162492009-10-22T22:55:33.515-04:002009-10-22T22:55:33.515-04:00Dear Tom:
Thank you very much for your comment. W...Dear Tom:<br /><br />Thank you very much for your comment. While I don't write so that people agree with me, it is reassuring that some people see the same things that I do and that I am not all alone.<br /><br />All the best,<br /><br />David MarkhamDavid G. Markhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08336565533124142690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-42014610830978228982009-10-22T21:58:05.357-04:002009-10-22T21:58:05.357-04:00David,
I agree with what you say in your essay.
...David,<br /><br />I agree with what you say in your essay.<br /><br />Tom BeallAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-6318966147820766232009-10-21T11:12:51.643-04:002009-10-21T11:12:51.643-04:00Dear Anonymous:
You are absoutely right that the ...Dear Anonymous:<br /><br />You are absoutely right that the perversion of Christianity in the United States came with Calvanism which deveoped and advocated the so called Protestant Work Ethic and transformed Greed from a sin to a virtue. Calvanism supported the rise of Capitalism and human values were shunted aside in favor of profit. Calvanism promoted Mammon as the God of favor and individual sin was seen as resulting in poverty and social stigma. Thus the rich were rich because of God's favor and the poor got what they deserved. This theodicy has seen a new revival in the Regan and Clinton and Bush years wherein the poor are blamed for their own poverty and the rich are to be rewarded beyond any rational basis but justified as a sign of Beneficience to which all should aspire as if it could be achieved if one were only smart, hard working, and deserving of such blessing.<br /><br />This upper class theodicy which is interdependent with Capitalism leads the poor and working class to vote against their own interests (What's The Matter With Kansas by Thomas Frank) and to be easily manipuated by the Upper Classes with discriminatory prejudicial attacks on mariginalized groups such as gays, immigrants, the poor, and women.<br /><br />The Upper classes have used attacks on Gays and Liberals and Arabs (terrorists)like the Nazis did on the Jews to manipulate the working classes to do their bidding.(Suppor the troops and God Bless America). When you catch on to the schtick it is quite illuminating. Religion has been used in the U.S. the last 30 years just like the Naxis co-opted the Christian churhes in the first half of the twentieth century.David G. Markhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08336565533124142690noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647562459433740241.post-66965290471993854132009-10-21T10:49:49.517-04:002009-10-21T10:49:49.517-04:00I partly agree with your observations. What you de...I partly agree with your observations. What you described in your first few statements sounds like what is generally called the Protestant work ethic.<br /><br />From the UUs I've known, many come to UUism because of the hurt they had experienced in their former churches. Many could no longer endure the hyprocracy. I don't think that many of the UUs I have known seek self-justification.<br /><br />Of course, there are a number of reasons that make UUism attractive to seekers. Some seek a acceptance, sanctuary, a place to be with like-minded people, etc.<br /><br />I think that UUism makes strong demands on those who are sincere. We aren't given answers to the questions of life and death. We are not guaranteed a place in heaven. Only those who are able to handle ambiguity will remain UUs. Therefore, UUism will never attract a large following.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com