True Counter-Culture
This is a topic that’s been on my heart for a while now, but only in bits and pieces until now. And perhaps still in bits and pieces–we’ll judge that afterward.
The idea is this: what parts of our American culture are truly relevant to life? Which things really matter, and which things are completely, well, unsubstantial fluff? Examples:
1. Work: Up until about the turn of the 20th century, and despite the Industrial Revolution, people worked for themselves, not for other people or corporations. Our culture, on the other hand, prepares us for, and expects, just the opposite. This thinking, while it tends to work ok for most, makes us dependent. What have I done? Despite the current uncertainty with the economy, I cashed out my IRA, gave notice, and set out on my own.
2. Consumerism: Everywhere we turn, our attention is drawn to advertising whose purpose it is persuade us to buy things. Things that, by and large, we do not need. Especially around holidays. This one we do moderate to some extent. For Christmas, we’ve toned things down a lot, and focus it to the kids…and limit it extensively. We also focus it on the true meaning of Christmas, and because of it, the kids normally want to give to others through programs like The Giving Tree.
3. Children: Where do we start on this one? Our culture has a strange dichotomy where children are so focused on, but so devalued at the same time. Take birth, for example: no longer is it treated that a completely normal, natural thing…instead we almost always have babies at the hospital and treat it as a medical emergency. Then, once born, we separate them from ourselves in bassinets and cribs, and feed them formula rather than breastfeeding and co-sleeping.
What other examples can you come up with? Share with us!
This is a topic that’s been on my heart for a while now, but only in bits and pieces until now. And perhaps still in bits and pieces–we’ll judge that afterward. The idea is this: what parts of our American culture are truly relevant to life? Which things really matter, and which things are completely,…
What about our elderly – no longer respected and cared for at home. They are often sent to sterile nursing homes – yes, some may need medical care 24/7, but many many more could be cared for at home if people would take the time.
Food. I was visiting a friend yesterday and we were talking about how for so long we always bought can cream of chicken soup until we found out how to make a roux. This culture currently spends so much time, money, and energy to convince us all that we can't do even the most simple thing on our own so we'll go out and spend money on a much less healthier version. Sad really.
Great topic, Scott!Insurance: Rather than taking responsibility for our own health, we shift that responsibility to insurance companies who tell our doctors what is usual and customary for our condition, what generic drugs we can take for it, and whether we can afford a certain test or not.I posted about this topic just this morning: Why we don't have health insurance…Education: Everybody pays property taxes to fund the government school system, which spends most of its money on administration, so that kindergarteners begin fund-raisers the first week of school. Add to that, the fact that no child learns at the exact same pace as another (even if they're twins) on every subject. To force them to do so either holds them back or labels them "slow," never minding the fact that the same "slow" child academically, may be gifted at practical skills or spiritual gifting. The government school system leaves off so much of the discipleship of children then reproves homeschoolers for not socializing their children.Government: Its job is to wield the sword to punish evildoers. To go beyond that usurps other God-given authorities, whether it be the church, the family, or the individual. To expect healthcare, or environmental protection, or social security, is to require the government to take it from someone else so that we might enjoy a benefit at the expense of someone else.