In a press conference this morning President Bush reiterated the same ideology that both sides of congress and both candidates have been promoting for the last two weeks:
"The fundamental problem is this, as the housing market has declined, banks holding assets related to home mortgages have suffered serious losses. As a result of these losses many banks lack the capital or the confidence in each other to make new loans. In turn our system of credit is frozen which is keeping American businesses from financing their daily transactions and creating uncertainty throughout our economy. This uncertainty has led to anxiety among our people."
Yeesss, but no. I agree there is a level of anxiety that is unprecedented in my lifetime. And I believe that the world we live in will never again, in my lifetime, be as predictable and stable as it once was. However, the mortgage crisis and the stock market crash are symptoms of an even deeper "fundamental" issue: greed. Americans now live in a global community. Call it what you will -- karma, justice, judgment -- we are starting to pay for an every increasing appetite for consumption. The western world has become gluttonous. Greed and gluttony are bankrupt (excuse the metaphor) narratives in a postmodern world, and they are chief among the sins listed in the Old and New Testaments. Read 1 Corinthians 6:8-10 (you'll find greed in the same list of sins as homosexuality, hmm -- scratch head) . It's interesting that Ezekiel identifies Sodom's sins as "pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door." (Not homosexuality as so many assume, see Ezekiel 16:48-50).
Our collective sin is that we have ignored the poor and needy for the gain of Wall Street and a McMansion in a cul-de-sac.
As usual, U2 was ten years ahead of their time. Here's some lyrics from POP in 1997.
"Last Night on Earth"
She feels the ground is giving way
But she thinks we're better off that way
The more you take the less you feel
The less you know the more you believe
The more you have the more it takes todayYou got to give it away / You got to give it away
You got to give it away / You got to give it away
You got to give it away / You got to give it awayWell she don't care what it's worth
She's living like it's the last night on earth
The last night on earthShe's living, living next week now
You know she's going to pay it back somehow
She hasn't been to bed in a week
She'll be dead soon then she'll sleepYou got to give it away / You got to give it away
You got to give it away / You got to give it away
You got to give it away"Gone"
You get to feel so guilty, got so much for so little
Then you find that feeling just won't go away
You're holding on to every little thing so tightly
'Til there's nothing left for you anywayYou wanted to get somewhere so badly
You had to lose yourself along the way
You change your name, well that's okay, it's necessary
And what you leave behind you don't miss anywayYou're taking steps that make you feel dizzy / (Gone)
Then you learn to like the way it feels / (Gone)
You hurt yourself you hurt your lover / (Gone)
Then you discover
What you thought was freedom is just greed / (Gone)"The Playboy Mansion"
The banks feel like cathedrals
I guess casinos took their place
Watch "Last Night on Earth" from the POPMart tour.
Watch "Gone" from the Elevation tour.
Tim,
Hello! I found your page from a link on Kent Burgess' Blogroll. I, too, am a sibling on a God Journey, free from the confines of Religiousity and walking in the freedom of the reality of Papa's Love for me and for all.
Since I just discovered your page, it looks like I have some reading to do. (Hee hee)
I do have one important question, however...I tried searching for an "RSS Feed" button on your page, but I cannot find one. I'd like to add your page to my Feeds so that I can automatically receive updates when you post a new blog. Is there something I'm not seeing on your page to allow me to do this?
Also, please feel free to visit my blogpage, read any posts you'd like, and I warmly invite your comments. Oh...and if you'd like, I'd love to have you add me to your Blogroll.
Walking In The Spirit
http://amyiswalkinginthespirit.blogspot.com
Blessings,
~Amy :)
Posted by: Amy | October 18, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Hey Tim,
Just thought I'd let you know that I found your blog stuff through Jessica ... and that I've been glued to the computer for over an hour devouring it!
Thanks for you thoughts and convictions.
Peace,
Shelley
Posted by: Shelley Mast | October 24, 2008 at 08:37 AM