"Winners and Losers" - Sermon by Willi Paul, Planetshifter.com
The Promise -
When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation-. that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their safety and happiness-. From:
the Declaration of Independence
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The Rant -
As Americans, we live in the soft white underbelly of the capitalist state, with often contradictory and brutally hypocritical values that keep us apart from our families, neighbors, co-workers and other nations.
As winners and losers, we do our best to gain the advantage each day while punching the competition down. This is an all or nothing value set - no matter what we say or do at the Elks Club Wednesday lunch or at St. Joes on Sunday morning.
We verbalize this knife-edge life style with calls of "kill your opponent, kill the competition."
We treat humans (like animals) like trophies.
We are an adversarial, blood thirsty few with twisted morals and a corrupt mythology.
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The Hope -
The Partner Model at
Habitat for Humanity (HfH)
Habitat for Humanity is deeply grateful to the many partners who help HfH build decent and affordable housing in the United States and around the world. Corporations, community groups, faith groups, media and private philanthropic organizations join families each year to build strength, stability and shelter. More than building homes, HfH builds communities, hope and the opportunity for families to help themselves.
The People Empowerment Model at
GLIDE Church, SF, CA
GLIDE's mission is to create a radically inclusive, just and loving community mobilized to alleviate suffering and break the cycles of poverty and marginalization. Our core values emerge as a spiritual movement. They are rooted in empowerment, recovery and personal transformation. Our values inspire and guide our behaviors.
The Jobs Model at
Goodwill
Goodwill works to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work.
The Resilience-based Community Building Model at
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The Archetype -
"
Now more than perhaps ever before the World needs to rally together to face the terrifying issues of the moment. Our whole economic paradigm is collapsing, responding to climate and economic crises is no quick fix, it will take a bold new vision of our collective objectives and strategies. Liberal democracy seems to have been fatally high-jacked by corporate power, banks and oligarchs and humanity is on a collision course with reality. I strongly believe permaculture design has a very big part to play in how we address these issues in a coherent way."
The Pitch -
Humans need to challenge the idea and practice of competition in all phases and stages of life - sports, school, business and religion. Adopt the Transition value of sharing ideas and goods for community gain. Promote community first, per the permaculture way. Our stories are manipulated, biased, profitized. Our love for Nature and humankind, and a new global mythology, is at stake.
God Speed.
