The Common Good seems Dead!

I am sad to think about what I have been reading about the Supreme Court's wrestling with the Affordable  Health Care Act. It is sad to think that there is no consideration of the common good.

Before commenting further on this perception, I repeat prior writings about my disappointment that President Obama did not take a more active leadership role in the development of this legislation. Leaving it to Congress was a terrible mistake. Compounding that error was the fact that President Obama did not state upfront that he wanted a single payor system, e.g., extending Medicare to all, funded through taxation. I have been and remain convinced that there is no other fair and economic rational method of delivering universal health care. I was open to all sorts of methods for this to occur, e.g., public monies with private insurance carriers, e.g., Germany. In short, I did not like the legislation and only saw it as a vehicle to make a step towards a more rational system.

At the moment, though, what strikes me so strongly is the fact that our nation's historic thrust to promote individualism rather than the common good seems like an albatross that will do us in. From a personal perspective, I can understand the more selfish, individualistic views of many since I know that I am satisfied with my situation. But, I want everyone to enjoy my basic situation, knowing that they can go to bed at night knowing that they too know that their family is fed, living in an acceptable home, with children who are being educated appropriately and their health care needs met. Why should some have these rather basic needs of human beings be relegated to some because they lucked out while others are left in the dust?

The notion of the common good is so basic in my outlook on life that I am disturbed by its lack of relevance to so many. It is one of the more distasteful aspects of our nation. Granted, the pursuit of the individual has had many benefits to our nation's growth. I do not advocate losing it as much as wanting it to be balanced with the incorporation of the common good into the fabric of our nation's soul.

Of interest, it is even more puzzling to me that so many people with religious beliefs do not seem to realize the contradiction of their belief in a caring God and their personal attitudes to those who are left outside the pool of benefits enjoyed by the rest of us.

I do not have any idea about the future. I know that I will most likely not live long enough to see the terrible consequences of this myopic view of life. In a way, it makes it easier to tolerate the situation since I will not most like experience the consequences of such short-sightedness.

Happy Birthday, Patrick!

All so suddenly, we lost a dear friend,

Franklin, more than a pet,

Loved us, and everyone,

Children ever so much.

Memories of Franklin remain,

How could they fade,

After so many, many moments,

Sealed with licks and kisses.

Could we cope with another?

Maybe wait to be sure,

But no, needing another,

Patrick came to our need.

He may be timid,

But did he ever find his home,

A place where he is loved,

Returning love without measure.

Never ceasing to be amazed,

Watching him view his ocean,

Wondering how could anyone,

Be more at one with his world.

Never expecting another Franklin,

And surely, so different,

But does he love,

Children his number one.

Life is short, Franklin’s for sure,

We hope Patrick’s is long,

Never missing a moment,

We want to be all he thinks we are.

We are happy you are alive!

"Religion" conceptualized for Atheists

Alain de Botton recently published a book, "Religion for Atheists", that reflected on the positive features of religion, in spite of his convictions that there is no God. He is an atheist who recognizes that people benefit from the rituals and symbols that support them during the ups and down of life. 


I surely recognize what he is talking about. I experienced many of the positive aspects of religion that he wants now to re-create for atheists. It sounds strange until one considers that Catholic theology of sacraments and days of special significance references explicitly the relationship between these events and our earthly life. For example, the Eucharist celebration is reflected in family meals, Penance noted in human forgiveness of another's hurt, Christmas as the incorporation of the Winter Solstice and Easter, the emergence of Spring. Preaching often references these human events in order to connect the "real" world with the "religious" world.


I can understand why he sees a benefit of establishing a formal, albeit atheistic, religious ritual of our human events. 


My problem has to do with the notion of "religion". Religion has become for me a negative force, resulting all too often in bigotry, alienation from others, hatred, and violence. The good of religion that is well documented is outweighed by the negative results, also well documented. At this point in my life, I remain a believer in a God who is completely beyond my comprehension. I recognize a God within an evolutionary context. The world is inherently beautiful and a reflection of that God and we can see some reflection of him in the wonder of creation, including ourselves. Recognizing that we are responsible for adopting behaviors that are consistent with the gifts of the universe creates a "demand" on us. Transmitting this notion of God is admittedly much more difficult than participating in rituals that communicate meaning about our lives and associated responsibilities. 


I do see problems in my approach. Just as it is difficult to "teach" the benefits of delayed gratification or the need to accept an inherent responsibility for others, based on our humanity, it is also hard to teach "religious truth" without also conveying prejudice and alienation. Religious becomes an absolute and inherently divisive. If truth is absolute, clearly those not adhering to those beliefs are wrong, with implications of negative outcomes. 


While it might be easier to adopt "rituals, even as atheists, I would argue that it is a lesser way to achieve a good end.