Dear Matriots, seekers for an alternative economics and an alternative spirituality,
In Kaspar Hauser by Jacob Wassermann, a town was afflicted by drought, the wells were dry and people became angry and violent until a little boy played so beautifully on his flute that water rose in the wells again.
The German philosopher Jurgen Habermas said that instrumental rationality threatens to colonize all life, relationships and dialogue. Professors lament that they are often only asked whether the question will be on the test and whether it will put money in our pockets.
The future must be open and dynamic, welcoming and dynamic, self-critical and intercultural. The future must be anticipated and protected inthe present, not extrapolated from the present (cf. Jurgen Moltmann, Theology of Hope). The Zapatista vision of one world where many worlds fit and where everyonoe has a place could free us from fatalism, cynicism and one-dimensionality, the bitter fruits of vulgar materialism (cf. Ernst Bloch) and the self-healing market.
A Chinese friend Yu Xia designed a web site for me that offers 300 translated articles on anti-militarism, economic ethics, political theory, the Jewish-Christian dialogue and liberation theology, http://www.mbtranslations.com.
Here are links to recent articles and translations that can give us new hope and enthusiasm as we seek alternative economics and alternative spirituality. Jesus calls us to the creation of a new language and a new mathematics, to be salt, leaven and light. Faith is personal but not private and is more interruption than custom. In the words of Soren Kierkegaard, faith is a leap across seventy thousand fathoms of water.
"Community Centers: Learning from O Canada!"
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2007/12/370031.shtml
"The Cart in the Speculative Mud"
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2008/01/370590.shtml
"The Economic Consequences of Mr. Bush"
http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/12/bush200712?printable=true¤tPage=all
"The Welfare State in the Market Trap"
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2008/01/370532.shtml
"Egoism versus Pluralism: The Crucifix Decision"
http://la.indymedia.org/news/2008/01/212340.php
"The Cure is the Sickness: Toward the Post-Washington Consensus"
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/05/288843.shtml
"45 Articles to Celebrate the De-Selection"
http://portland.indymedia.org/en/2004/09/298293.shtml
I look forward to your comments. The fire of youth will never be put out. Don't let them break your spirit. We are only called to plant the seed, to be truth-tellers and story-tellers, to redefine and expand work, to revive our welcoming tradition and decry the tradition of fear. In a world where understanding is a fusion of horizons, prejudice can be a stepping stone to the event of understanding (cf. Hans Georg Gadamer, Truth and Method). May we discover the wonder of parallel worlds and the different stages and phases of life. The race is not to the swiftest but to the simple, modest and merciful, to become as children, open, affirming and enthralled.
Marc Batko
Portland, Oregon
503-227-1890.
