I am thinking that we might be “approaching Zion” at the wrong end: striving to “become one – of one mind, of one heart”, but Gandhi suggests here that satyagraha (the power of truth) is the fruit of inner unity already achieved – not the means by which we may attain that unity…

So the same with Zion. Zion is not a strategy, it is a way of life. Zion as a way of life IS the strategy… It is the fruit of us already having achieved inner unity within and amongst ourselves. Ahh.

May 17, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Like most of what Beck says, this call to nonviolence really makes no sense whatsoever, especially considering the fact that just this past week he gave a talk at a National Rifle Association meeting, urging all the firearms fanatics in the audience to be ready with their guns because “revolutionary marxists” are plotting to destroy American freedom. He also is a vociferous supporter of the U.S. invasion and occupation of the middle east, so I guess his nonviolence doesn’t apply when the violence is directed against Arabs, Persians, Kurds, and South Asians. Heck, he is one of the few people in the country willing to defend Arizona’s racist SB-1070, so I guess he doesn’t mean for cops who attack immigrants to denounce violence. Interesting, though that he used Martin Luther King Jr. as his reference point, considering that MLK was the paragon of the “social justice preachers” that Beck instructed his followers to avoid. Perhaps Beck doesn’t realize that MLK stood for everything that Beck opposes. MLK wanted a more equal distribution of wealth and he spoke out against the Vietnam War. MLK didn’t just want integration, he wanted an entire transformation of our social and political institutions (see his letter from Birmingham prison). MLK stood for everything that Glenn Beck fears.

When I say that Glenn Beck is an unstable nut, I’m not just using hyperbole or joking around. I really do think that the guy is mentally unstable. How else could he call for nonviolence one day, and then call for NRA members to arm themselves to fight “marxists” the next day? How could he tell everyone to leave their “social justice” churches one day, and then pretend to be down with the social justice church leader Martin Luther King Jr. the next day? He has absolutely no concern for consistency or clarity. If you’re looking for a prominent, well-known LDS example of Gandhian nonviolence, keep looking because it aint Glenn Beck, that’s for damn sure. Glenn Beck is the same guy who supports “I shoot wolves from a helicopter” Sarah Palin. He is like a drunk guy in a bar who says whatever crazy thing pops into his head, no matter how stupid or nonsensical it is, and, apparently, that makes FOX News alot of money so they keep paying him a fortune to do it.

But, if you still don’t believe me that Beck hasn’t actually put any thought or consideration into his call for nonviolence, then ask him if he wants to abolish military and police. Ask him if he takes back what he told the NRA and if now he believes that NRA members should lay down their arms. A person who believes that military and police are great, is a person who really isn’t that much of a pacifist after all, and the NRA rolls its eyes at the idea of nonviolence.

To put this call into context, it sounds to me like he is simply urging dumbass teabaggers to be nonviolent at their tea party rallies, and that’s all. He’s worried that all these teabaggers showing up to rallies with guns slung around their backs are making the teaparty “movement” look stupid (although it still looks stupid even without the guns). He’s not a pacifist in any sense of the word, so don’t get your hopes up.

Reply

Mormongandhi said

May 18, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Thanks Tariq. I will post your reply at the end of my article. For what I’ve seen and heard of this guy over the last few days, it’s really beyond weird. I don’t get it – and yet, 50’000 people signed up? As you say, “He’s not a pacifist in any sense of the word, so don’t get your hopes up”.

http://bycommonconsent.com/2010/02/28/teaching-the-war-in-heaven/

I’ve just uploaded two rare interviews with the Catholic activist Dorothy Day. One was made for the Christophers [1971]–i.e., Christopher Closeup– and the other for WCVB-TV Boston [1974].

Day had begun her service to the poor in New York City during the Depression with Peter Maurin, and it continued until her death in 1980. Their dedication to administering to the homeless, elderly, and disenfranchised continues with Catholic Worker homes in many parts of the world.

Please post or announce the availability of these videos for those who may be interested in hearing this remarkable lay minister.

They may be located here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/4854derrida

Thank you

Dean Taylor

I think that the concept of gender is something that we’ve only scratched the surface on. I did a post about it a while back and it was interesting to hear the perspectives of some transgendered people. http://thefaithfuldissident.blogspot.com/2008/12/gender-state-of-mind.html

While listening to the Mormon Stories podcast with Claudia Bushman, I found it interesting that one theory that she personally held was that God had both male and female parts. So, coming from such an active and well-respected Mormon, I don’t think these are theories that we can automatically dismiss or declare with certainty as being untrue.

Since 1999 Michael Taylor has been Professor (now Emeritus) of Social Theology in the University of Birmingham. He was Director of Christian Aid from 1985 – 97, the last President of the Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham from 1997 – 99, and Director of the World Faiths Development Dialogue from 2002 – 5. He is at present involved in research into the role of religious organisations in development, working particularly in Nigeria and Tanzania. He chairs the Mines Advisory Group, the Burma Campaign UK, Responding to Conflict and the governors of Fircroct College Birmingham. He is the author of several books on ethics and development.