tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24335936.post3076194037395111355..comments2024-01-11T04:31:58.232-08:00Comments on oxymoronredundancyparadoxtrap: Offputting ChristmasBenjamin Adyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03325520894212279303noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24335936.post-69439547002761394432007-12-31T17:26:00.000-08:002007-12-31T17:26:00.000-08:00Rachel, thank you for the reminder. Of course yo...Rachel,<BR/><BR/> thank you for the reminder.<BR/><BR/> Of course you are right. Part of the little plan that floats around in the back of my mind revolves around joining a community, whether it be here or elsewhere, that is already living out these principles in realistic ways, in the hopes of becoming like them. Eventually. yes of course it is much easier to talk about that to do.<BR/><BR/> But real things begin in our dreams and imaginations.<BR/><BR/> Tess--no problem. Thank you for asking. Happy holidays to you as well.Benjamin Adyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03325520894212279303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24335936.post-48160355334179074312007-12-31T17:18:00.000-08:002007-12-31T17:18:00.000-08:00Thanks for you response to my questions and for re...Thanks for you response to my questions and for realizing that I wasn't being snarky, but did want to know!<BR/><BR/>Happy new year to you & your family,<BR/><BR/>TessAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24335936.post-10280922301250466542007-12-28T21:03:00.000-08:002007-12-28T21:03:00.000-08:00Hi Benjamin! My first visit to your blog in ages, ...Hi Benjamin! My first visit to your blog in ages, but glad to be back.<BR/>My strongest reaction to this post? That you've forgotten your travels (or perhaps never saw) if you think that your list even sctratches the surface of "wratcheting your pleasure and consumption down to third world levels". You're living in a different world.<BR/>But I think it's a good aim. For lots of reasons. But much easier to talk about than do. (You don't begin to realise how much easier until you attempt to do it. And I'm only trying for 2nd world levels.)<BR/>much love to you and all your dear family,<BR/>RachelRachel J-Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05009966082537233222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24335936.post-47338224582281869552007-12-27T09:09:00.000-08:002007-12-27T09:09:00.000-08:001. Complaining bitterly about it (although Helen s...1. Complaining bitterly about it (although Helen seems to think that this might be falsely alleviating my guilt)<BR/>2. Buying fair trade. Sugar and chocolate and coffee.<BR/>3. Working on eating less. (My relatively bad score on consumer consequences was mostly driven by my food consumption).<BR/>4. ... taking public transport rather than driving.<BR/>5. bicycling rather than taking public transport.<BR/>6. sponsoring a little girl in palestine.<BR/>8. Encouraging people to vote for Obama, who demonstrably cares about these things.<BR/>9. Blogging about it.<BR/><BR/><BR/>If I got Megan to help me, I could write a much more in depth CV style answer to that question. She's good at this sort of thing. But there's a brief overview.<BR/><BR/><BR/>I went to the Christmas Eve service because my lovely wife sweetly entreated me to.<BR/><BR/>Brian McClaren is part of (the very smallish) what I like about Christianity.<BR/><BR/>"Drawn by Christ".<BR/><BR/>I find Christ both incredibly drawing and incredibly .. confusing and offputting.<BR/><BR/>I find Christianity mostly offputting.<BR/><BR/>I like your "methinks". I say that sometimes too.Benjamin Adyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03325520894212279303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24335936.post-42106786174205156372007-12-26T14:39:00.000-08:002007-12-26T14:39:00.000-08:00So, I guess I ask this, "What are YOU doing about ...So, I guess I ask this, "What are YOU doing about the numerous things that you consistently rail against?" That is not meant to be snarky at all. <BR/><BR/>What are you doing about consumption and poverty? <BR/><BR/>And since you intensely rail against Christianity, what is it that woos you to Christmas Eve services and the gathering recently with Brian MacLaren?<BR/><BR/>Methinks you're still drawn by Christ, despite all your rantings and railings. <BR/><BR/>Hope so, anyway.<BR/><BR/>Merry, merry and a great new year to you,<BR/><BR/>TessAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com