L.B. Neill
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“…saying “Only faith saves; good deeds won’t save you.” It is the antithesis of how ancient Romans and Hindus define religion. Catholicism and Anabaptism stress good deeds (St. James).”
Thomas, and is an interesting point. When Christians state that salvation is through the doctrine of faith: it liberates people of faith from ‘good works alone’. Can yo imagine the euphoria released in that knowledge, and the sense of liberation from a ceaseless penitential cycles. Of course good deeds occur due to faith.
It couples the terms “way of life’ with ‘faith’- Many faith communities express feeling of euphoria (Marx might say opiate), connectedness and fulfilment living a certain way- and it becomes an anecdote to capital material expressions- and an opposition to it….
That counter to capitalism shows that Rosa’s “socialism or barbarism” is a question that has many points of equivalence across political and social domains- there is a barbarity to capitalism- but a euphoria and utopia in the other
In evangelical expressions, Christianity is a belief/ a faith, not a religion.
Religion for the sake of it is a legalism: faith is a post legalism
Religion is considered a state of following a tradition, and is automatic thinking, almost nominal. And so faith is conscious attention to practising a way of life, decentred from non discursive reflections, It is active and cognised.
Communities of conviction are a way of seeing the world, of being in the world.
There is a conflation of people turning to communities of conviction as negative world events increase.
There is also an episteme (a cultural and repeating practice) and anthropological constant in expressions of faith in society that has been/ and so will be.
To belong is such a deep and socially entrenched need/want.
Capitalism and its social divisions excludes. I know Marx did not go further into theologies and social studies as we know them today (and other ‘oligies’)- but in this period of modern-and its elusive post modern- these issues draw us together or create oppositions.
There are so many points of equivalence that draw us together- socialism becomes a shared reality trip (non opiate reference) in so many communities. I once felt down as a kid, and read a text on socialism- and my mood for the world lifted.
Hi Alan,
I have worked in homeless communities where the most marginal are competing against one another for the welfare resources- both limited and competitive.
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In some circles white power is dismissed.
White privilege is not essentialist: I am white- so white has access to power.
Some right wing commentators say poor people have no access to power and use imagery of the white homeless to say “what white power”?
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But yet- in marginal groups, competition for scarcity occurs. I have seen the most disadvantaged complain that ‘other races’ have taken what is theirs. Usually expressed by ethnic Europeans who compete against newer, equally poor migrants from differing ethnicity.
It is metropolis over peripheral played over again: right through the social strata: from up high to the precariat (dare I say a new strata: the left out in the cold ‘unemployed, displaced, non-classed because of it”).
Metropolis (colonial) thinking is still systemic right through the divisions of society. That division tries to keep unity apart.
White privilege still comes up, and in communities without capital, competing for the rarity of any resource for the most disadvantaged.
Any race can be in a disadvantaged and marginal position- and it is sad that competition for daily living drives a wedge rather than unity of purpose.
But on a positive note: I have seen selfless acts of sharing and non competition too in diverse groups…
Does that make some sense?
Ask me to elaborate when COVID is over, but many forms of privilege run riot (male, capital, class,and race) throughout societies- long may we resist it.
ALB,
It is the last bastion of security for so many. It offers a world view, a safeguard, and a powerful opposition to cruel elite.
Religious expressions are not homogeneous- and if Social Capital (substitute capital term for relations) studies is taken into account- the wellbeing of the individual increases in healthy community of conviction settings.
I have read some of the science on faith based communities and its relational benefits (biopsychosocial), and the benefits are massive!
It can be what helps prevent a fatal event (I sound cryptic!) in the lives of people who otherwise would have had adverse outcomes.
You see, it is choosing the drug/opiate you are on. And all communities of conviction offer that world view, that need to feel part of something, and that need to be noticed and useful. The true high!
I do not think Marx was being derogatory to persons of faith (or else he was master theologian too and dismissed it with casual remarks).
I might be stating these ideations on a reflexive position (experience, observation and knowing), but that true high: spurs to action and to security for people who may not have held on to being here.- and let go in dire consequences.
I have seen so remarkable “bounce backs” in the health and social sector for people who find that: true high, that stuff of belief!
Okay… I am sounding warm and fuzzy… but the science behind it is still catching up…
Imagine how connected many of us felt when finding a community of conviction in socialism
LB
“Herd immunity is achieved by protecting people from a virus, not by exposing them to it,” he said. “Never in the history of public health has herd immunity been used as a strategy for responding to an outbreak, let alone a pandemic. Letting Covid-19 circulate unchecked therefore means allowing unnecessary infections, suffering and death,”
“Letting Covid-19 circulate…” is the same as letting money rip right through the community in spite of a pandemic.
There has been so much economic analysis that the science of late seems subordinate to it. Payment and piper.
The r or reproductive rate of this thing, and its mortality, is high.
In many jurisdictions this economy over health still plays out. The health of profit over their ‘dying consumer’ continues.
This response is emotive- yet an emotion based on observation.
Herd immunity is stubborn wistfulness on this one- covid will claim so many with that thinking.
Is capital seeking to inoculate its capital, its very own profit.
Let it rip- really.. what the ‘f’.
WHO has said ‘suffering and death’ in relation to people… because some are acting like it relates to the ‘suffering and death’ to profit.
The science still says: do not let Covid rip…
It is the first time I nearly posted the ‘f’ word.
Can you imagine a black death policy of letting it rip!
L blooming B
Okay- Bretons aside: The Celts then, or maybe be particular… the…
NO OTHER PREVIOUS APPLICANTS NEEDS APPLY (and I hope it becomes less definable to say who is, and who is not applicable to live in Britain- all not some
…
Hard to define such a thing as Britain,
It would be better defined as part of Europe, as part of a global wide community, as part of an ecology- and not a gated village. I did not say ecological galactic system- but why stop there.
A world without enclaves and without ethnic differentiation is so desired right now.
ALB, I like onions, and have sold them: and along with wine in a beer market- I had to peddle so much harder to break through- glad my early work experience gave me that stamina
🙂
MAKE BRITAIN GREAT AGAIN
Since Brexit we are calling for expressions of interest into imperial might!
WE ARE BUT A TINY NATION
And this new career opportunity is for all those who aspire to our great colonial past!
APPLY NOW
Foreigners need not apply.
(See our bias exemption number approving the right to refuse entry and the right to refuse migrants to stay)
IF YOU ARE THE RIGHT CANDITATE!
Please send your CV to the Ministry of Xenophobia
NO BRETON WILL BE REFUSED (no socialist need apply…disclaimer)
This is how it sounds to me- selling the empire. And to a bias and narrow audience sample (those who fill it in and express their bias and nationalism; and those who walk past it [polls!])). If this was an add, someone should express an objection. To me indigenous workers are being encouraged to discriminate against host workers (should be no division and no antagonism between workers).
The percolation of anti mask and scientific disregard continues regarding COVID safety…
I know it was warm yesterday- but really!
When leisure is primacy over lives: freedom is spent using the currency of a life- I am so pissed off at this act of ‘personal freedom’ with such disregard for the health of our community.
Thanks Marcos. Independent thinking is so crucial in this age- and the ones before it…
I remember some once said: learn everything and forget it- not that we just forget it, but that we are not ruled by it… Always learn, and question.
I am going to look up Sariento and Hostas-
Adios mi amigo!
Thomas More,
Feudalism made sense in its time. Expand or be sub alternative to the other more powerful competitor. In order to exercise control in the lack of a central ruling over-king, feudal kingdoms competed for that over arching idea- uniting under a central controlling family and establishing a patrilinear system.
Each winner will burn the others books and culture- feudal capture. Ch’in is no different to Henry VII et al. Each winner will tell hagiographers what to write.
To bring it to a more today usage: let the corporate wars begin! The winner gets a headline.
That’s it- I lack sleep!
LB
Alb,
“by divorcing the producers from their means of production converts them into wage earners”
And:
“Roman proletarians became, not wage labourers but a mob of do-nothings more abject than the former “poor whites” in the southern country of the United States, and alongside of them there developed a mode of production which was not capitalist but dependent upon slavery”
And this is the current condition of most of the World’s population. If we take a broad sweep of the means of ownership (really means of production), then it is owned by some, and controlled by… some.
The loss of the commons for tilling, even if it was the last bastion of subsistence to survive the ravishes of ownership, is repeated right through the globe- alienation from the means of production.
The current age, and I dare say the Tudor vagabond laws agree-” let us put the idle to work and for profit! ”
And now we have a culture of ‘dole bludger’ blaming the unemployed for their own alienation, the best welfare is a job!
The Tudor Vagrancy Laws seem so similar. The Capital Revolution seems old indeed- starting with ownership of the means to live…
The Spirit of Capitalism has it phases- but it is the successive alienation through history that seems to continue our current ‘wage slave problem’. Or indeed, bonded labour in parts of the world that some in the West say: oh my gosh!
I wanted to discuss the Tudor rev- and put some of history to some use- but for some reason, needed to say this!
I have appreciated seeing this thread unfold- and in its unfolding, ownership and accumulation of wealth and privilege seems older than the perceived start date…
Another thing for me to research!
LB
Marcos,
You once told me the truth hurts. I think back in 2018. I was a novice on SPGB forum. I was a leftie in seeking fair distributions of wealth, seeking the impossible: reform!
Biden Vs Trump is a most viewed kind of NBA, or a wrestling sensation.
Left wrestles with right- and same again next election- ratings should be high… popcorn sales through the roof! All the bunting and colours!
The fact that Wall Street support Biden- shows that it becomes a capital entertainment event. Some will adore the winner, and weep for the loser- but people will die, as before, with no health care.
COVID is really out of control, really. But the ruling elite will seek one who represents them who will don a mask- but then don a black boot.
Be kind to your good self
LB
“Trump and Melania test positive for COVID-19
Poetic justice”
And I thought I would end my Friday with a little cheek with my last post!
The anti science narratives of the Trump regime have been relentless- can anyone he infected sue! Or cite his dismissals of health advice as a capital effect- thus sue (class action) the ‘keep the economy open’ supporters.
The business as usual old guard need some accountability- but the news did cause a tiny: told ya!
Thanks Alan,
I was moved by ‘Care and Repair’.
Yet, felt somewhat down. The use of money persisted even in that notion of the future.
Every epoch takes some of it traces into the next one.
Alas.
However, I was warm.
A COVID-23, lets hope not! Hate to think any economy, like war economies, is built on fighting threats consistently!
Or as Marcos made a reference earlier 2×2= 5 or 4 (or 1984)
Oh- and where did the rich go! They retreated into some affluent paradise- and just disappear! I sense a sequel…
Be safe,
LB
Alan ,
I need to go to RTE and see the current situation!
I have been in lockdown- my brother did not say a thing over the phone!
Its what you get for migrating : disfranchised and late news… ‘Cerns him right, seeking a a bit of sun… is what the State said… so they leave me out in the cold- brother and all!
